Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday shared aspects of his cultural programme with artistes from all over Nigeria, and asked for their support for his presidential bid.
Mallam Ribadu said his cultural programme would be defined by three key elements that include the creation of a national endowment to fund the creative arts, a vigorous and sustained fight against piracy, as well as the promotion of public policy to sustain the creation of market access and infrastructural support for the industry.
The event drew people from various aspects of the arts and entertainment industry. Amongst those present were movie stars and A-listers such as Patrick Doyle, Clarion Chukwura, Femi Brainard, amongst others.
Mallam Ribadu praised the worthy efforts of these people who have placed Nigeria in the international limelight. He noted that progressive governments the world over place much emphasis in the entertainment industry because, artistes promote the ideals of the nation. He promised that if elected into power, his administration would work towards empowering the industry that is currently undermined by piracy and absence of funding for practitioners of the arts.
“In the 70’s artists were coming to Nigeria to record. The recording industry was big but then it crumbled. I understand the challenges of the industry, like piracy, but I say give me three months in my government and I piracy will stop. I will stop it because it is robbery at the highest level. I want to go with you as a vehicle to change the image of Nigeria. There is no better way other than the way you are doing it. You must be part of it.”
First generation Nollywood artiste, Stephnora Okere, who conducted the interactive session thanked all the artistes present for honouring her invitation. She said she had no interest in politics since the first time she voted, her vote did not count. She however has decided to support Mallam Ribadu because of the ideals he lives by. “I am not a politician but I am coming out now to vote because I have seen the person (Mallam Ribadu) who represents what I represent,” she said.
During the question and answer session, Patrick Doyle asked Mallam Ribadu if would incorporate artistes in government when he eventually wins. Replying, Mallam Ribadu noted that “it is impossible to appoint people who have no understanding of an industry to lead it. When I become president, artistes will be in the driver’s seat.”
Babafemi Ojudu a journalist and senatorial aspirant urged the artiste to stand by Mallam Ribadu, as successive governments had taken artists for a ride. Speaking after the event, Femi Brainard of The Bachelors fame said of Mallam Ribadu, “I love his ideas, his foresight. There is every hope for the country if we have many Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s type in government.”
Tony Okoroji, former president of PMAN also declared his support for Mallam RIbadu. “No great nation in human history has been built by cowards and Nuhu Ribadu has shown himself not to be a coward,” he said.
According to Okoroji, “the immediate challenge facing Nigeria is how to uproot people who have made Nigeria their own and it is not a small challenge. But it can be done. We are not going to do it by talking but by networking, using all the technology that is available to us today.”
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