P - Square
Some popular Nigerian musicians like
P-Square have criticised the Federal Government’s plan to stop the production
of Nigerian music videos abroad, saying the policy will hinder global
competitiveness of the music industry. The plan, which was made known by the
Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed recently in Lagos, sparked off
reactions among popular artistes, saying the policy would not be beneficial to
the entertainment industry.
Veteran singer Rugged-man argued
that many artistes take their productions abroad because of the sophistication
of the technologies required for such productions, which might not be available
locally. He said that the trend was not peculiar to Nigerian artistes as
artistes from more developed climes do embark on international productions.
“Amenities we lack are a few of the
reasons some entertainers go outside the country to shoot music videos and
movies. “Even America where their governments give their citizens amenities
they deserve, still shoot movies in other countries,” he said.
Yemi Alade, aka “Mama Africa”,
expressed worries through her Instagram page, saying that the policy would
hinder the growing collaboration between Nigerian singers, their international
counterparts, and the global competitiveness of the Nigerian music. “So will
all the money artists have spent shooting videos that are yet to be released be
refunded? “You might think that a musical video is just a thing we do!, It’s a
business! You don’t understand!!” “The video directors we use round the world
are also Nigerians,” she said.
P-Square, the musical superstar
twins, also frowned at the proposed policy, stressing that it would not serve
the best interest of the music industry.
The Minister of Information and
Culture had disclosed Federal Government’s plan to ensure that all music and
films consumed locally were made in Nigeria. He made this known when he visited
the headquarters of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in Lagos.
He decried the current situation
where Nigerian films, reality TV shows and music were made outside Nigeria. He
said that the situation had hampered the empowerment of local practitioners in
the industry, the development of the sector and the nation’s economy in general.
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