Imagine a gathering where popular actor, Segun Arinze was on seat. Sittting not too far from him was actress, Ibinabo Feberesima. Looking further down were Zeb Ejiro, Kingsley Ogoro, Ramsey Noah, Charles Novia, Fathia Balogun, Keppy Ekpenyong, Joseph Benjamin, Opa Williams, Timi Dakolo and Sammy Okposo among others.
Before you jump into conclusion that the event must be entertainment-related, you gaze further and saw President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo leading the ministers and presidential aides to the event.
The venue was not the National Theatre but the presidential Villa, Abuja, where people in the entertainment industry found a second home since the inception of the present administration.
Jonathan seems to be much at home with these people who have come to describe themselves as creative professionals. So attached to them is he that an actress, Omoni Oboli, had to premier her movie, Mrs. Elliot at the villa with top government officials present.
The President, last Friday granted audience to some people under the auspices of the Creative Professionals of Nigeria. The group comprises film makers, actors, musicians, producers, television presenters and writers, led by Arinze.
The event started like a typical entertainment event. There was laughter everywhere. The president’s guests cracked his ribs with their introductory remarks.
While some tried hard not to allow the opportunity of meeting the president one-on-one to slip by without letting him know the role they are playing to ensure he returns to Aso Rock in 2015, others were just outright comical.
After introducing himself by name, one of them said he was the only SAN in the association. What could have led a Senior Advocate of Nigeria into the entertainment industry? That was the question on the lips of many before the man dropped the bombshell. He said the full meaning of his own SAN is Senior Artist of Nigeria.
Others said they are either members of state executives of “Pray for Goodluck Campaign”, yet others say there were “Jack of all trade master of all”. Another introduced himself as the “star suppliers to the actors”, “chief of staff to Nigeria Guild of Actors, Lancelot Imasuen, introduced himself as the “producer of movie Invasion 1887” another said he is the producer of the movie on agriculture called “yellow cassava” as his own way of supporting government’s reforms of agriculture sector. Sammie Okposo on his part used the occasion to sing “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock, we want Goodluck Jonathan.”
But the one that got the president envious was when one of them introduced herself as the “personal makeup artist” to the NGA President, Ibinabo Feberesima.
He was forced to say, “You have more aides than me, I don’t even have make-up artist. Even if I’m talking to the media and I’m sweating I go with the sweat, nobody to even clean the sweat”, to which everyone laughed.
Lifeline
The most emotional part of the event was when two of the actors who have been beneficiaries of the president’s gesture to have replacement for failed kidneys.
The two actors, introduced by Arinze said, they had lost hope of survival when help came through the office of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
Prince Ifeanyi Dike said, “I am a survivor. I did two kidney transplants with your (the president’s) support. No matter how rich you are, kidney dialysis in Nigeria saps you dry, but with the support of the AGN President, which she said came from you, I was able to have kidney transplants when the two failed. And I’m here to on behalf of my family say thank you Mr. President.”
Chike Brayan on his part said: “I would have been dead today but for the timely intervention. Two of my kidneys failed. I had lost hope but you have given me hope to live again, by making it possible to go to India for the transplant. I have never met you before but I got the support, and I am here to thank you.”
Working for you
President Jonathan told both Dike and Bryan, that there was nothing special about the gesture because like other Nigerians they deserved what they got.
He said, “for the two of you who spoke about the little assistance we rendered through your leaders who drew our attention to the fact that you needed assistance, you are Nigerians and we are working for you. Mr. President, Mr. Vice President or Mr. Minister does not need to know you to do what is right. In fact even among the people I appoint in my cabinet, the people I know personally are not up to three. If I am informed you are a good man and a good woman and you can serve, we will give you appointment.
“We have challenges presently even in our infrastructure but we are committed to expanding them in transportation, aviation, ports, roads, power infrastructure.”
Another notable moment came when Jonathan described the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke as the best the sector has ever had.
Duke himself was puzzled, especially coming after the 2014 Abuja Carnival which had only six states and the FCT in attendance had been criticised as the worst organised in the history of the annual carnival.
Apart from the poor participation of states with only seven (including the FCT) out of 36 states in attendance, the usual funfair and razzmatazz that the carnival is usually greeted with were missing just as there was no participation of foreign countries.
The president’s commendations of course elicited almost a non-stop applause from the creative professional community.
We are proud of you
He said: “You promote our culture and that is why Edem Duke, one of the best ministers that the sector has ever had, has always been passionate about you. You even bring value re-orientation which I appreciate so much in some of the films you act and some of the music you play.”
President Jonathan used the occasion to disclose that his government though recording success in the fight against terror, internal and external saboteurs, and frustrations were hindering successes.
The president also said in the face of dwindling oil prices, Nigeria like Switzerland and Japan, must begin to think and work towards alternative means of sustaining the economy. He also highlighted that the danger of relying on primary products such as oil is just dawning on the country with the volatility in oil prices.
Jonathan noted that the nation’s creative industry is a source of pride as well as good ambassadors of the country especially on the African continent and the Caribbean, as they project the country positively. He said: “One of our greatest challenges and I have to thank you for observing that one minute of silence in the honour of the victims of terror, is the security challenge. But we are working very hard, we have our frustrations, we have issues of sabotage internal and external but we are working very hard and by the grace of God we will overcome.”
“We are quite pleased with you, you are a blessing to this great country. Those of us who travel out especially in African countries and Caribbean know your worth. Back home they always say a prophet is without honour in his home but to some extent you are with honour because everybody loves you back home. But you are even appreciated more outside this country. And for those of us you placed here within this period, we know the value you have been bringing to us to governance and social issues in this country”.
The President said the creative professionals were more than just entertainers but were also projecting the country’s image a positively, changing values with their positive messages through music and films, creating jobs both directly and indirectly and contributing much more to the nation’s GDP.
Jonathan noted that while politicians were busy generating negative issues and overheating the polity, the creative professionals were pumping the positive news into the system. You promote our culture, you even bring value reorientation which I appreciate so much in some of the films you act and some of the music you play.
“Though I’m not a critic, I have seen that you are preaching good values through your films. You are also changing the pysche of our youths and I know through your films and songs some of them will begin to abhor making money through demons, making sacrifices, kiling people because there are consequences at the end of the day.”
Jonathan commended the fact that the sector which before now was totally ignored was today adding to the nation’s GDP. “Before it was a sector that was not even regarded but you have created so much jobs directly and indirectly, is only the pirates that are a problem to us. So you are a group we must adore, we must appreciate, you are true ambassadors actually if you talk about outside Nigeria.
Sambo remarks
Vice President Namadi Sambo, enjoined the creative professionals whom he said were his colleagues as he lay claim to being an actor, to use their platform to trumpet the achievements of government during the electioneering.
“I want to join Mr. President in welcoming you and thank you for the great support you have been giving to Mr President and this administration. There are no words to express our deep appreciation, but also to encourage you to continue. I would also like to call on you that the time has come now that we are going for election in the next 60 days to put out this information that you have to spread to Nigerians for them to understand what has been achieved and also the need for Mr. President to continue for the next four years that the complete transformation would be achieved and Nigeria, not only would be the most developed country in Africa but also in the world.
Duke appreciates
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Duke, in his remarks, commended the creative professionals for representing the country so well despite the fact that before now little or no appreciation has been shown to them. “I want to appreciate the fact that you have represented the very best of Nigeria in the sense that when little or no attention was in the past placed on this sector, because of your belief in this country, the belief in your own inert ability, the creativity of Nigerians, you have shone like a torch, you illuminated the path of Nigeria across the world. You brought us decency, you won hearts and might for Nigeria. The president welcomes you.
“Time has come for you to lead the conscience of this nation through your creative work, through the millions of followers you have on social media, we must change the narrative of Nigeria. We cannot allow the agents of disintegration to have a foothold in this country. That is the agenda for the creative professionals. We would like to advocate that please as you work, you must work to develop a directory of professionals in Nigeria so that we can sieve the charlatans from the professionals.”
Segun Arinze, leader of the delegation said in response that “never in the history of Nigeria has any president given the creative community the attention you have given us. Never in the history of Nigeria has any leader given us the respect you have given us. Never in the history of Nigeria has any leadership given us the support you have given us. Today, as one we have come to say a big thank you.”
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