‘Educate fans on COVID-19 protocols’

TRACKING_____THE Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has met top musicians and disc jockeys on post-COVID-19 rejuvenation for the industry. Addressing the artistes, Akinbile-Yusuf, a pharmacist, said it was important for the performers to join hands with the government to educate their fans and well-wishers on the importance of adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

She said no efforts should be spared in following the guidelines that could help halt the spread of the pandemic.

“It is my desire that we should all go back to our normal life very soon and this can only be possible if we’re resolute in the fight against this pandemic,” the commissioner added.

AkinbiIe-Yusuf said the ministry, being the regulator of the activities of the entertainers, would work with the artistes to promote entertainment and make Lagos State the hub of entertainment in Africa.

She said: “I have met government agencies that are of high importance in the promotion of tourism and entertainment and they have assured the ministry of their unflinching support. I implore you to share your calendar of events with us so that we can promote you.”

The musicians, which comprise hip-hop artistes including popular rapper, Jude Abaga (aka M. I. Abaga), singer and song writer, Sidney Onoriode Esiri (aka Dr. SID), a popular rapper and singer, Folarin Falana (Falz), singer/songwriter Teniola Apata, among Fuji musicians and disc jockeys, urged the government to assist the practitioners in payment of royalties for their creative contents.

I. lamented the bureaucratic bottlenecks often faced in accessing government services and information, as well as getting approvals.

He said the synergy being reached with the ministry would address those institutional limitations. M. I. called on the government to help enforce the existing law on licensing and payment of royalties, especially by media organisations, in order to encourage those in the creative sector.

Falz said over 97 per cent of practitioners in the entertainment industry have not earned a dime for the past six months, being a sector that thrives on live shows and performances.