Entertainment industry -11years after

Entertainment industry -11years after


Since the enthronement of democracy, some state governments like Bayelsa, have taken it upon themselves to sponsor entertainment. The state government has been sponsoring the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) since 2007. Some other state governments like Ogun, also formed a musical band which feature at functions organised by the state.

The comedy sub-sector which, to some people, has become an "all-comers affair," aside enjoying patronage from government officials and humour merchants, has been able to create a niche for itself by cracking jokes that expose wrongs in the society. With forums like the Night of A Thousand Laughters, Laff for Christ's Sake and other events put up by comedians, people get to ease off tension and stress as they laugh to jokes.


One of Nigeria's pioneers of the comedy industry, Ali Baba, told Daily Independent that democracy is a fertile ground for freedom of expression, and so, comedians are able to survive without being intimidated by leaders

"Comedy is a product of society. Lots of materials used by comics are spin-off on society, but the biggest boost to the industry was given by Obasanjo and some governors who appreciate the value of comedy as a service and, for its entertainment value," he noted.

Despite the developments which the industry has recorded since the enthronement of democracy, one problem which, however, seems to have defied solutions is piracy. Piracy which has refused to be tamed, was described by Stella Monye, one of Nigerian's entertainers, as "a big industry which looks bigger than the entertainment industry itself."

Minister of Information, Akunyili, alluded to this when she argued at a recent forum that, "if not for piracy, Nollywood would have been bigger than the oil industry."


AZUKA A. ANUGOM