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Transforming Nigeria Through Movies, Music, Arts

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Oil since its discovery in commercial quantity in Nigeria has dominated the nation’s economy, oil exports have contributed 98 percent of the Federal Government’s revenue. This over dependence has made the Nigeria’s economy unstable, non-static and has displayed a large over dependence on oil incomes.
It is on this premise that studies have been carried out to identify other sectors of the economy that could minimise the over dependence and mono economy syndrome of the nation. One of the veritable sectors is the entertainment industry, also known as the creative sector which comprises the movie, music, comedy, arts and culture, among others.
As Nigeria celebrates 60 years of independence from colonial rule, an indepth analysis of these eventful years reveals that the creative industry is dynamic and has not only generated unprecedented wealth for the country, but has also created employment opportunities for her citizens, contributed immensely towards transforming the country into a leading nation in Africa as well as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world.
After Nigeria’s independence in October 1,1960, the cinema business rapidly expanded. In 1972, the indigenisation Decree issued by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon encouraged the transfer of ownership of about 300 cinema houses from their foreign owners to Nigerians resulting in more Nigerians playing active roles in cinemas and film businesses.
Today, Nigeria’s film industry popularly known as Nollywood is adjudged the third largest film industry in the world after Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India and contributed 2.3 percent (N 239 billion) to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016. It is one of the priority sectors identified in the economic and recovery growth plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria with a planned $ 1 billion in export revenue by the end of 2020.
In the music sector, music has become Nigeria’s new export, in November 2017, Nigeria’s music star, Wizkid won the Best International Act category at the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards held in London, the first for Africa-based artistes. At the same MOBO Awards, another Nigerian super star, Davido, took home the Best African Act Award for his song “IF”, a love themed ballad with a blend of Nigerian rhythms and RnB.
Since its release in February 2017, the official IF video has raked in up more than 60 million views on You Tube views for any Nigerian music video and one of the highest ever recorded for a song by an African
Across the African continent, other musical groups such as Kenya’s, boy band, Soto Sol, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and South Africa’s Mafikizolo have collaborated with or featured Nigerian top stars in attempts to gain international appeal.
Reuters news service calls Nigerian music,’’ a cultural export’ and the Nigerian government is now looking towards the creative industry including performing arts and music to generate revenue.
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics Report that the local music sector grew in real term by 8.4 percent for the first three months of 2016 and that in the first quarter of 2017 the sector grew by 12 percent compared with the same period one year prior.
The Price Water Cooper (PWC) reports that the global attention the Nigerian music scene has received in the past three years has been accelerating. There is no better time for Nigerian artistes to use data and insight to reach billions with their musical content which will help to reposition the country.
According to the vice president, International Strategy and Sperations Warner Music Group, Mr. Temi Adeniyi,” the promise of what could be achieved by Nigeria’s booming music industry in the next decade is awe-inspiring especially if the industry focuses on the critical issues of adequate compensation and piracy.
In Arts, the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe noted that” culture is the new revenue driving sector which can serve as an alternative to the oil sector in Nigeria “
He stated this at the official opening of the 13th edition of Akwaa Travel and Tourism fare in Lagos in 2017. He maintained that culture was a viable alternative revenue generating sector that could help to boost the economy.
According to a recent entertainment and media output report by PWC, Nigerian entertainment and media industry is expected to rise from $4.46 billion in 2018 to $10.8 billion by the end of 2023.The report which was released in October 2019 disclosed that the market is dominated by internet revenue as it presently contributes about 61 percent of the sector’s revenue followed by television and radio which is expected to push towards $1billion in revenue by 2023.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, “We are ready to explore and exploit the new oil. When we talk about diversifying the economy, it is not just Agriculture or solid Minerals alone, it is about the creative industry, about the films, theatre and music”.
The minister made the comments ahead of a Creative Industry Financing Conference held in Lagos in 2018.He noted that the Nigerian government is already providing incentives in the sector including a recent $1 million venture capital fund to provide seed money for young and talented Nigerians preparing to set up business in the creative industry.
He also said, “The country is allowing the industry pioneer status, meaning that those inventing in motion picture, video and TV production, music production publishing, distribution exhibition and photography can enjoy a three to five years tax holiday.
Other incentives such as government backed and privately backed investment funds are also been implemented. The minister noted that with the impressive performance so far recorded, the creative industry has been viewed as a sector that could help the government reach its goal of diversifying the nation’s economy away from oil.

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Why I Am Not Ready To Have Kids Yet-Burna Boy

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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has opened up about why he is not ready to be a father yet.
According to the 32-year-old, he is not ready to have kids yet because he can not give them the attention they deserve.
Burna Boy disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen, in a recent interview.
He explained that he would have children when he is settled or married.
“Why have not I had kids yet? Bro, because I don’t want to have kids yet,” he said.
“Have you seen my mum the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?I know I can not give that to anyone right now with the life I’m living. So until I’m settled and I can be there for my children everyday, I’m not having no kid.
“I feel like my kids deserve better than I got. And I got both my mum and dad so you understand?”
On the allegations that he is impotent, Burna Boy said, “When I see the bants and the things people say about me not being able to have kids, I said this is unimportant. Let’s assume that it is true that I could not even have kids, you know that there’s something called IVF? But that is not even true,” he summed up.

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2Baba’s  20 Years Anniversary Of  ‘Face 2 Face’

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May 15, 2024, made it 20 years since Nigerian seminal superstar, 2Baba released his debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’.
Before 2Face Idibia (Now 2Baba) left the boy band Plantashun Boiz to chase a solo career, he was adjudged by many to be the band’s most talented member.
In fact, superstar rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem could not resist the urge to point this out in ‘Wackawikee MC,’ where he dissed former Remedies members, Tony Teitula and Eddy Montana as well as the Plantashun Boiz.
It was this huge expectation based on proven talent that preceded the release of 2Baba’s debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’ which was an emphatic statement of his ability and ambitions.
The Tide Entertainment reports that released under the iconic Nigerian music label, Kennis Music on 15th May 2004, ‘Face 2 Face’ would carry the zeitgeist of Nigerian pop music in the 2000s with heavy hip-hop and RnB influences.
For 2Face, the album was crafted to position him for commercial success justifying his decision to leave the Plantashun Boiz. ‘Face 2 Face’ would achieve this as it houses some of the biggest hit tracks that defined the 2000s and rocketed 2Baba as the face of Nigerian pop music.
‘Face 2 Face’ welcomes listeners to 2Baba’s world where he shares his many thoughts through mind- blowing lyrics, melodies, and compelling versatility.
“Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” he says in the hit song ‘Nfana Ibaga,’ where he delivers his statement of intent that will alter the direction of change in the Nigerian soundscape.
2Face had many things to share and he found exciting ways to communicate these thoughts. When he raps about love on the hit track ‘Ole’ he effortlessly molds melodies in unprecedented fashion.
2Baba is arguably Nigeria’s most gifted artist and his unbelievable ability shines in elevated lyricism, remarkable shapeshifting, and mind blowing delivery.
The acceptance of his fallibility offers food for thought on the lyrical masterclass ‘U No Holy Pass,’ where he cautions his critics who have a lot to say over his decision to leave Plantashun Boiz and the way he chooses to live his life. This record is one of those songs that reminds listeners that there is about nothing 2Baba can- not do as he effortlessly flows over the strings and drums of Rock music.
While the album carries significant hip-hop influences, it also has the palpable RnB music that shaped the American soundscape in the early 2000s.
On ‘Right Here’, 2Baba pours out his heart on a brilliant domestication of RnB and hip hop hybrid popular with Western RnB stars like Usher, Craig Davids and Joe.
The album’s biggest song is the classic guitar ballad, ‘African Queen’ which will break the commercial roof of Nigerian and African music. If there is any such thing as a perfect song, it will be ‘African Queen’ as the writing, delivery and production make for a perfect combination that is one of the most important records in the history of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
The success of 2Baba’s ‘African Queen’ transcended the shores of Africa as it was used in the 2006 Hollywood movie, ‘Phat Girls’ which was one of the earliest exportation of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
2Baba is known for being an artiste who constantly uses his music to speak on social justice and this is a trait that runs back 20 years ago.
On ‘police Skit,’ listeners get a commentary on the state of the Nigerian Police who are hardly distinguishable from armed robbers.
2Baba is one of Nigeria’s music’s most indefatigable hitmakers and he laid the blueprints for what is to come on the groovy party-starter ‘Keep on Rocking’ feat Natives & Lil Seal where he effortlessly switches language and flows.
‘Face 2 Face’ is a product of an era when artists craft wholesome albums with something for every listener and a concerted effort to carry a national outlook. Tracks like the gospel tune ‘Thank U Lord’ and ‘Odi Ya’ feat Black Face where he showcases his Benue roots point to this effort.
20 years after its release, ‘Face 2 Face’ is celebrated as a hall-of-fame Nigerian album that laid the blueprint for the hit projects in the Nigerian mainstream.
‘Face 2 Face’ showed listeners many sides of 2Baba – the singer, the rapper, the songwriter, the sage, the hitmaker, and ultimately, the pacesetter.

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Davido Reacts To Report Of Sacking His Lawyer

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has debunked reports that he sacked his lawyer and longtime friend, Bobo Ajudua, over embezzlement.
The Tide Entertainment gathered that Davido recently sacked his long-term business partner and lawyer, Bobo Ajudua for embezzling $370,000.
However, reacting, the singer said, that was not the case.
He clarified that they are still friends even though they are no longer business partners.
”This was not the case at all! We are still very good friends! In business, things evolve and change all the time! Please, everyone disregard this narrative.”

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