One year after: How economy has affected our business – Timaya, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu, others speak

It has been mixed feelings for Nigerian celebrities as President Muhammadu Buhari clocks one year in office today. When the president took over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015, many questions agitated the minds of the practitioners as some of them took to their social media platforms to express their expectations from the new government making reference to the seemingly robust relationship they enjoyed with the previous government, led by Goodluck Jonathan.

It was gathered that in the twilight of Goodluck Jonathan's government,  N2 billion fund for Nollywood was launched to address the urgent challenges of poor distribution system and the menace of piracy.

The fund was tagged 'Project ACT Nollywood, which was said to be similar to the N3 billion Nollywood Intervention Fund. Many social commentators commended the former president's intervention, describing it as a move in the right direction. The intervention was one out of other numerous support that the entertainment industry, especially Nollywood, benefitted from the Jonathan administration.

Though, the distribution of the fund was said to have been taken over by the Bank of Industry (BOI), it was however gathered that not many practitioners in the motion picture industry have been able to access the fund due to strict conditions attached to its release.

Another one major success of this administration according to those who spoke with Sunday Tribune is the passage of the Motion Picture Council (MOPICON) bill.

The bill, which proposes a regulation of quality Nollywood film production, was initiated 10 years ago, but was suspended because the proposers believed it was doctored.

It was criticised by some entertainers who believe that it suggests restriction of creativity.

As the new government celebrates its one year in office today, some of the entertainers who spoke with Sunday Tribune expressed divergent views on the Buhari-led administration's policy as it affects the entertainment industry.

Adewale Ayuba
For the Bonsue Fuji maestro, the Buhari government has started well. Ayuba believes that the government needs time to restructure the country and particularly the entertainment industry. 'I understand that many people have been complaining about the slow pace of Buahri's government. I don't think I have performed at less shows in the last one year because of paucity of funds in the economy. Shows have been coming and the music business has continued to boom in face of the challenges. I strongly believe that we should give the president more time to put the right structures on ground for the benefit of everybody. The government has also showed that it would engage the professionals in the entertainment industry to fashion out a way with which some of the problems facing the industry can be finally resolved. So, in my own view, I will say the government has done fairly well in the last one year.'

Timaya
Hip hop singer, Timaya, was indifferent when asked what he thinks of the government's contributions to the entertainment industry in the last one year. The musician said he does not have any problem with the government's policies. 'I don't know what to say about this government. I am an entertainer not a politician. In the last one year, I can't even remember how many gigs I have done. The shows have been coming and I have been paying my tithes. I have not felt differently. My songs have been banging everywhere, so I don't know whether Buhari performs or otherwise. All I know is that the ministry has been moving forward,' he said.

Bimbo Manuel
Veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel, said he had not seen any difference in the last one year apart from the passage of the MOPICON bill. According to him 'One year ago, it was expected that things would have improved, but by and large, we are still at the same spot one year after. For me, I believe in policies that will help the industry to get better.'

Uti Nwachukwu
Actor and TV presenter, Uti Nwachukwu's position was clear:  'Let us be patient with this government.' According to the BBA winner, 'My career is not tied to the government. I am an entertainer and I have been doing my job very well. In fact, I have had more good offers in the last one year. I don't want to be dragged into the politics that is being played in Nigeria. But then, I must also say that Rome is not built in a day. Nigerians need to be patient with President Buhari. This man has travelled to several countries in the last one year to repair our battered image. It will take time before we start to see the results of his economic policies. I am not his spokesperson, I am speaking based on what I understand. Certain structures need to be pulled down before a new one could be erected, and that is not going to happen overnight. Even when you take a malaria drug, it won't start working immediately, some drugs take weeks before you start to see the effects on your body. My sibmission is that we should let this government spend its four years after which we can begin to ask questions.'

Jide Kosoko
Veteran actor and producer, Jide Kosoko, said the government has taken steps in the right direction for the survival of the entertainment industry. 'The feelers we are getting from the government in the last one year point to the fact that it has beautiful plans for the entertainment industry. The Minister of Information and Communication, Lai Mohammed, has been meeting with the stakeholders in the industry and has confirmed President Buhari's readiness to put the industry on the road map. My take away from this is that the industry will take a new shape in the next one year.'

Gbenga Adeyinka
For comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, best times await entertainers in the country. He admitted that things have been hard but was quick to say that there is hope for the country and the entertainment industry. 'What we have been seeing in the last one year is telling us that our country will rise again and the entertainment industry will be better for it. Buhari's government in the last one year has been laying the foundation for good governance, and we are begining to see it in the entertainment industry with the passage of bills that will put the industry in its rightful position that will further enrich the lives of the practitioners. Things will get better.'

Julius Agwu
Comedian and actor, Julius Agwu observed that change is a process, urging Nigerians to be patient with the President. 'We all know how many times this man tried before he got his mandate, and if you have monitored his approach to issues, you will know that he has a mission to accomplish. Nigerians are struggling to adapt to change because we always like to do things the old way. My regret is that we have relied so much on oil that we have neglected the entertainment industry that is capable of giving good financial returns to the country. I want you to quote me, in the next five years, you will see what the entertainment industry of this country would have turned into. The sector is booming, though it has experienced a lull in the last one year because we are being careful as to where to invest their money. With the support of Bank of Industry, you will soon find out that the industry has got what it takes to put Nigeria on the map.'

Falz
Budding rap artiste and actor, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, believes the industry has grown in the last one year to give room for new stuff that have taken over the industry. 'The industry has been booming and this is why we are seeing great stuff everyday from the entertainers. I understand the MOPICON bill had been passed but I am against it. How can you say if someone wants to post motion pictures on YouTube, Instagram or facebook they have to join a council? Apart from that, we are yet to see the best of the entertainment industry.'

9ice
Abolore Adegbola Adigun, popularly known as 9ice, said: 'The present government hasn't done anything regarding entertainment. The problem of Nigeria as of now goes beyond a sector or a segment. At present, Nigeria is in a position where we have to start all over again. My assessment of Buhari-led government will be too premature now; either to criticise, scrutinize or appreciate what they have done and what they haven't achieve. My advice to them  is that they should be honest in discharging their responsibilities on behalf of the country and put the interest of the people first before their personal interests.

Buga
Jese King, otherwise known as Buga, called for patience among Nigerians, saying the economy of the country would soon pick up.'I want to urge Nigerians to be patient as the government works out their way for a better Nigeria. Sincerely, the economic problems of the country are affecting every sector and the entertainment industry is not exempted. If the economy is doing well, every sector will be fine. So, we should all to support the government to stabilise Nigeria's economy.'

Pawpaw
Actor, Osita Iheme, better known as Pawpaw, stated that Buhari's government in the last one year has not made any meaningful impact on the entertainment industry. 'We are still doing our things the best way we can. My advice to politicians is that they should think of Nigerians and not their political ambitions. They should remember that their decisions are affecting Nigerians.'

Funke Adesiyan
Actress, Funke Adesiyan berated the Buhari's government for its alleged inability to cater for the people. According to her, any government that can't take care of its people has failed. 'Everybody in the country knows that this government has performed far below expectations. You will agree with me that many people are living below poverty level. No light. No job. Nothing appears to be working and the condition of living is even worse, so what is there to talk about again? This government has failed Nigerians.'

Bimbo Thomas
Actress, Bimbo Thomas, said the last one year has been a busy one for her and she has been concentrating on her career. 'I have been busy with my job and that's the most important thing to me right now. Of course, condition of living has been hard due to the change of government. I believe the country will get better with time.' – Tribune.