MAJEK FASHEK TODAY!

As we all mourn the exit of a legend, I am personally saddened because she was one of those who sang Love songs with meaning :’(. With the amount of emotions being shown, it is obvious that her 48yrs has made an indelible mark in music history. Adieu WH.

However, I wish to notify everyone of a trend that has become so rampant that needs be nipped in the bud. Why do we often celebrate the dead but never pay them as much emotion/attention whilst they are yet alive?

Legendary Majek Fashek is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated talents and sons. Accurate details of him yet elude me as to how his health deteriorated to this point and what led up to him being in this situation, but I dare say the “Rain-Maker” remains an icon like Fela is to Nigeria/Africa

I can bet for sure that if this guy passes on today, we will see and hear just as much outburst of emotions in Nigeria as Whitney is getting today.

So in d spirit of brotherhood, I wish to ask if it is possible to show some love and honor now that he is alive. Or would we rather wait for him to eventually pass on before we organize Charity concerts & documentaries all over the place with all our big artistes coming to show love by performing?

Can these concerts not happen now, both to celebrate & possibly raise necessary funds for a proper rehabilitation & nurture of this great Icon of Nigerian music?

Where is PMAN? And other well meaning artist? Can’t our artiste like Tu Face,Omawunmi,Mc Thuraya,M.I,Tiwa Salvage,WizKid, Flavour come together & do a remix of some of his classics with him & put it out there for him to witness whilst he’s still alive? I can only imagine what a classic it will be to have a Don Jazzy,C. Asuquo,Wole Oni or Samklef produced Majek Song.

Meeting Majek is a privilege I never had neither do I have any present means of reaching him. But trust me guys we can show real love this season to the living like Majek – Uche Nnaji.

Uche NNAJI is a renowned fashion designer behind the Ouch couture & lifestyle.

Banky W is a renowned singer and EME [label Wizkid and Skales are signed] vice president.

“Every Country has the Government that it deserves” – Joseph Marie de Maistre (French Philosopher).

Despite the fact that more than seventy percent of Nigerians live on less than $2 per day; the first thing the Government did in 2012 was to make life harder by almost tripling the price of fuel. Invariably, the cost of food, transportation, etc.. all went up, and yet the basic income/salary of the average Nigerian stayed the same.

No matter how you look at it, it’s unfair. If the Govt took steps to make life a little better for its citizens; if we had electricity, or Security, etc.. it wouldn’t be so bad. If they invested in refineries, so that we could refine/produce our own oil products, we wouldn’t be buying our own oil back at exorbitant prices, and there would be no need to subsidize fuel.For some of us, the Fuel Subsidy Removal was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. In a Country already plagued with decades of unresolved problems, the Government, in one fell swoop, made a decision, that at least in the short term, made life harder for the majority of its citizens; most of whom already had it hard to begin with.

There’s still nothing close to constant electricity for most of Nigeria; nothing close to quality basic education for all, healthcare, clean water, good roads, etc. In a country already dealing with tribal strife and armed robbery raining terror on citizens, we entered a new year now also having to deal with organized Terrorist Groups like Boko Haram claiming the lives of so many innocent citizens on an almost weekly basis, with the Government showing no signs of slowing them down.But the blame should not go to the government alone.

If Nigeria’s leaders are guilty of consistently providing failed, corrupt leadership, the citizens, on their own part, are guilty of consistently supplying apathy. We vote our leaders into power (or we sit at home and let others decide who should lead us). We see them inflating budget numbers, stealing, disrespecting the offices they hold, trampling on the citizens they are supposed to protect, and blatantly refusing to do the jobs we elected them for; yet we respond by saying “God dey” and “its Naija”. And every election cycle comes and goes, yet the story remains the same.We can no longer accept this of ourselves.

We are to blame for the leaders we put in office. We are to blame for the state of Nigeria. We owe it to future generations, not to hand them the same Nigeria we are seeing today, or one that has deteriorated further. Change comes when we decide it should. We have two powers as citizens; the power to vote, and the power to protest. I was encouraged by the thousands of Nigerians that FINALLY took to the streets to speak up for what they believe in. This is just the beginning.

We must continue to protest, non-violently, in every medium possible, until the Government starts to do a decent job, or until we are angry enough at their actions, that by the next election cycle, we change the Country by voting for the kind of people who actually deserve it, and not the status quo.It is with this in mind, that I’m teaming up with fellow associates of the October 2011 Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), to create a song and music video, that will hopefully inspire Nigerians worldwide to be a part of the Change they want to see in the country.

The song is supposed to express the expectations we have of our Leaders, as well as what we expect of ourselves; the hope is to create a song that inspires each person to believe in the dream of a brighter future for Nigeria, and to play whatever role necessary to make that dream a reality.However, instead of just creating a song to preach to Nigerians, we’ve decided to give every Nigerian a chance to be a part of it, by allowing everyone to contribute lyrics to the song. The idea is for this to be the song created “by Nigerians for Nigeria” (suggestion: “by Nigerians, for Nigerians, about Nigeria”).

We will upload an incomplete draft of the chorus idea for the song, so that everyone gets a feel for where the song is going musically. We’ll then open up online mediums (Twitter, Facebook, email etc) to Nigerians all over the world to send in suggestions for lyrics. The lyrics will be collected and vetted by members of the NLI class; the final lyrics will be used to craft the verses and the final chorus for the song… and the hope is that this song, created by Nigerians for Nigeria, will travel far and wide; and the message will be communicated to every leader and citizen of this great country…We will continue to protest by speaking up; we will continue to stand up for ourselves and for our country. And if our issues continue to be ignored, when the time comes, we will Vote for Change on EVERY level. We must, because Nigeria must change. Nigeria WILL change.

PS: Step-by-Step Instructions as to how you can submit lyrics to be a part of this project will follow shortly… please join us and be involved. Thanks!

Paul C Nwabuikwu is Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance

It has come to our notice that a well coordinated campaign of calumny against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, founded on outright lies and despicable distortions is being executed by cowardly persons hiding behind the ongoing controversy over the government’s decision to deregulate the petroleum sector.

For obvious reasons, the faceless campaigners have elected to tell their lies online because the normal journalistic principles of facts and balanced reporting are generally absent there.

For instance, we have received numerous enquiries regarding an alleged threat by the Coordinating Minister to resign if the government goes back on its decision to end the fuel subsidies. The threat was supposedly made during the emergency Federal Executive Council meeting which held yesterday.

This speculation, like numerous others is absolutely false. DR OKONJO-IWEALA WAS NOT AT THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHEN IT WAS GOING ON. In other words, they are saying that she made a threat at a meeting that she did not attend. She made no such threat physically or through any other means. She had no reason to.

The agenda behind the alleged threat and similar stories is obvious: to inspire public hatred and odium against her person by manipulating public opinion so that she is seen as the sole person pushing for the removal of subsidies.

Their calculation is that Nigerians are so angry and so gullible that they will believe anything if the lies are supported with manufactured “facts”. But we believe that fair minded Nigerians are not fools.

It is clear that governments and certainly the Jonathan administration do not work in the manner that the peddlers of falsehood are saying. It is not only naive but also highly disrespectful to the President and the government as a whole to suggest that the entire decision making machinery of government is the sole preserve of any official.

We urge the media and the Nigerian public to ignore the antics of people who obviously believe that Nigerians are fools.

For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Okonjo-Iweala supports the decision on fuel subsidy removal because she believes that ending the subsidies will drastically reduce corruption in the downstream sector.

Deregulation will also help to end the waivers enjoyed by powerful cabals at the expense of the Nigerian people. In addition, the vast majority of Nigerians will also gain as the proceeds will be redirected into safety nets, other identifiable social interventions as well as provision of sorely needed infrastructure projects nationwide.

Thank you.

Onyeka Nwelue writes from Lagos and is editor of FilmAfrique, published by Africa Film Academy, curators of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Women made us lose paradise, but how frequently we find it again in their arms. – J. De Finod

There are many journeys and obstacles we each take in life and losing someone is never one of the easy ones.

It doesn’t mean you are weak when seeking help. It means you are strong for seeking it. Don’t give up and say, ‘I can’t deal with my problems anymore’ or ‘I am just unlucky in life.’ Not true. The mind is a very powerful tool. Sometimes we just need someone to show us where the key is.

Knowing that the neighbour’s corpse is like firewood, being carried past, there is a connection to the heart that I have created this lens to pay tribute to this great educationist.

All of the worlds that know Lady Florence Egbosima were saddened by the news of her death. For many, she was their mother. For many more, she was their pillar. Even though we celebrate the life she lived now, we still miss her so much. She was a woman with a heart of gold.

I grew up in the countryside, as the son of a teacher. I was very close to my mother; she was that teacher every pupil loved. The pupils could sacrifice anything for my mother. It marveled me. They could do anything to make her happy. It seemed like they took her like an angel. Firewood, they fetched for her. Water, same thing. Her happiness was centred on the happiness of those children who revered, respected and loved her. In sickness and troubles, these children stood for my mother.

Lady Florence walked the same way too and there are thousands of people who admire her courage. As we stand here today, thinking of her transition onto glory, we weep for the loss of a woman who changed the way we reasoned, who influenced each and every one of us. Some of us may not be able to come out and say what and how we feel about her, but we all know what we have within.

All over the world, we are surrounded by strong women who tread where the angels fear to tread, if I could be allowed to say it that way. The moment people like Lady Egbosima physically walked out of the education sector, because of retirement; the sham began to surface mildly. Those who were under her tutelage will agree with me that she remained to them, an epitome of pride. Even right now. There are certain people you can’t do without – this amazingly talented mathematician is one of them. Truth be told, few women are like her. This is a woman whose life has evolved around great children, as her daughter, Mrs Cathy Echeozo is the Deputy Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank. This is not far from the truth on how she raised children, how she championed the cause of greatness.

For the most part, I stand here to salute a woman who changed many worlds, a woman whose heart has beaten for a lot of great men, a woman who has transformed a lot of lives and whose death will cause a lot of lamentation amidst men with souls and hearts.

We love you, Lady Florence. We will miss you, Onye Nkuzi! Kachifo!

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

Bimbo Ogunseitan is Director, Vintage Global Solutions (VGS) and former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Due Process.

I am shocked to read that Sahara Reporters will descend so low to publish an unsubstantiated allegation by an article written by the ex spokesperson of ex-convict James Ibori and a man reputed to have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from Nigeria without getting the facts right.

It is highly mischievous for anyone to have written that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala awarded such a contract for a Running Operational Review to her brother. It is a blatant lie and absolutely false. My name was mentioned in the article therefore I will respond with the facts.

Several firms were invited to bid for a secretive analysis of the finances of FCT by then Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir el Rufai. The Minister had suspected that a lot of fraud was being perpetrated by civil servants and that hundreds of millions of Naira or rather billions were being stolen by these same civil servants. Of all the firms that put in the bid, only two firms accepted to do the work for under N10 million. Other firms declined to do this because of the amount offered for the project. Mallam Nasir el Rufai told us that he had only N10 million to offer for this work. Under normal circumstances, my firm and Mr. Okonjo’s firm ought to have declined this but we were convinced to partner together because our firms were some of the best in the field of forensic investigations. If I recall, Mallam el Rufai mentioned to me that ChiChi Okonjo’s firm helped him uncover massive fraud in the Oil Sector to the tune of over N40 billion when he was DG of BPE. Although we were reluctant because of the paltry pay, we were asked to consider this job a service to the nation. We finally jointly agreed to perform this service for a total of N9.6 million or roughly N10 million.

So many career civil servants were bitter that firms were contacted to investigate the finances of FCT. We faced open hostility because of this. We were asked to work quietly and even offered police protection if we needed it. In the process, we uncovered over N2 billion worth of money misapplied or directly stolen. This we did jointly for N10 million. It is thus, fraudulent for anyone to say that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala offered her brother this project for N15 million. It is the height of mischief and disrepute. Mr. ChiChi Okonjo’s firm worked excellently with my firm and is one of the few firms known for forensic analysis and due diligence. For a paltry N10 million we discovered over N2 billion in fraud. That is the story! I still have the report on our findings in the FCT.

I finally ask Sahara Reporters to desist from gutter journalism and sensationalism particularly directed at Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala or her family. It is indecent and disgusting.

- Bimbo Ogunseitan

Kalu Ikeagwu is a renowned Nigerian actor

Kalu Ikeagwu

A good week to everyone. Been a long time hasn’t it? I have been in the wilderness of nail biting. Seriously though, I hope everyone’s okay. My heart goes out to the victims of the Lagos flood that happened on Sunday. I took one look at the rain and knew I wasn’t going anywhere. I began to get uncertain once the rainfall passed the two hour mark, then it went on to three and then up to five before the pictures started to come in, on my phone by beeping in with pictures of submerged vehicles ranging from tricycles to even SUVs. Someone took a picture of their sitting room with exquisite lime green leather armchairs, a settee and an ottoman. A portrait style television hung on the wall at the far end complete with its accompanying home theatre system and the speakers that stood tall on either side of the television. A dark shimmering floor that looked like the best resin coated marble floor ever, completed the picture. The only trouble was, the floor seemed to have risen halfway into the furniture, giving it the look of a quasi Japanese sitting room, famed for its extremely low furniture. The picture began to get darker as images of corpses of people being carried along by the rushing waters of the canals began to filter in – as if we Nigerians don’t have enough natural disasters in the pompous forms of our ‘leaders’. This is one aspect of pain that is serious and leaves a sombre taste in the room with much shaking of heads after such tales of irreparable loss have been spent. Let’s spare a prayer for them.

The other aspect of pain is one from which people derive a lot of mirth and pleasure. Heck, some even make a very lucrative career out of it – comedy. Has anyone noticed that nothing is ever funny without the basic foundation of pain, suffering and loss. For a joke to be funny there must be one, two or all these three of the named ingredients. Take for example this joke. Two merchants who were also friends were walking home after a successful day’s business. They decided to make their journey even briefer by taking a shortcut down a narrow alleyway. As they walked down the alley, they noticed a gang of hoodlums emerging from the shadowy walls of the alley and advancing towards them. It dawned on them that the inevitable was about to happen to them. Without missing a step, one of the merchants reached into his bag, took out a smaller bag that contained all his takings for the day, turned to his friend and said, “Tony, here’s the five thousand dollars I owe you.” See what I mean? People getting mugged and one trying to be smarter than his pants is found to be funny. Why? Is it the punch line? Or is it that the recounting of the painful experience of the teller evokes memories of a similar painful experience from their audience to generate an abundance of mirth?

I remember recounting an experience I had MANY MANY years ago in a company gents room to my friends in the UK. I had gone to the rest room for some much needed relief which soon turned out to be a rather noisy affair. I had only been there a few moments before I heard others come into the lavatory. Alas the sluice gates had already been opened and there was to be no holding back; the noisy torrent had to run its course. There was a respectful, almost embarrassing silence afterwards for just about two seconds before I heard taps open and then the splash of washing hands with seeming deliberation. I did not move – the other occupants of the room seemed curious to know the perpetrator of the leaden bombs and the staccato gunfire – it was not going to be me. All through the repeated washing of hands, the metallic roar of the blow drier and the clanging of the hand towel machine, I remained cemented to my throne, long since done, and resolute. Only when after an extended silence, a quick flush and an even quicker exit to dissociate myself from the offending toilet booth did I, after washing my hands, make a dash for my office and avoided detection. My friends literally rolled on the floor with laughter. To them, my story was funny but not as funny as the fact that it gave voice to the hidden embarrassments they felt under the same situations I experienced but could not talk about. My pain, their mirth.

I will in a few days’ time give you an example of some pain I experienced and what it cost me, for your mirth. In the meantime I would like some of your thoughts on why people’s pain is a source of joy to many. Have a great week guys!

 

- Kalu Ikeagwu

eLDee the don

eLDee The Don founded Trybesmen that introduced rapper Fr3style, Sasha, Oladel, 2 Shotz, KB et al; a veteran hit producer;  singer;  rapper; video director and record label owner. He writes:

1. Record a good song, Sample opinions from a bunch of people (friends & strangers alike) and be sure at least 60% or more like the song.

- Most artists believe they have a great song just because they enjoyed making it or because one or two people have been nodding to the beat but that’s never enough to determine if your song will be commercially successful. You have to sample the ears of your target audience. Have your friends play the music for people who don’t know you and get feedback from them because those are the ones most likely to give you a candid opinion. Your sister won’t tell you your song is wack,..well, unless she’s really mean…lol. Make sure you sample the opinion of up to 100 different people within your target audience range. If the feedback you get is not positive from more than half of them, you may need to go back to the drawing board.

Some say “..ah its expensive to record, where will I get money?”, I say if you can’t stand the heat, get the #**# outta the kitchen. Music is not for everyone. If this is truly your passion, you will find a way. Get a job, do something to earn money, save the money until you have enough. If begging is your way, sheeee, beg your way through it. The “no money” excuse is old and boring. If Vocal slendercould work his way through the dumpsites of Lagos to get studio money, what are you whining about?

2. Prepare yourself as a product. Work on your image and be sure ure “attractive” to the average person that comes across you or your music.

- This is highly underrated and it is very important that you pay attention. Image is EVERYTHING in entertainment. Don’t be fooled by those who say otherwise. You must look the part, otherwise people wont take you as seriously as they should. As an artist, you are a brand, a product, especially in these parts, people will try to place value on how much they believe you are worth by the way you present yourself. You should make an extra effort to be of your best looks and composure, ALL the time. Spend a little extra time on simple details to ensure people see you as a brand they would love to be affiliated with, otherwise you have a much tougher time selling yourself to potential sponsors or employers down the line. Proper branding helps you stand out in the crowd.

3. Get ready to perform. Create performance routines; find an exciting way to deliver your song to any audience that will leave an impression.

- If you have access to a band, begin to learn to perform with one. If your act isn’t one that needs a band, figure out what you can do to get people excited when they see you live. Create a performance routine that is unique and fun to watch. Do whatever you need to, dance, swag it out, circus tricks, whatever works. With each performance your goal is to win more fans.

4. Create an EPK (Electronic press kit), which includes good photos, a bio and your music. Make sure it’s of a size that can be sent as an email

- Making your own EPK should be viewed as a necessity for any artist or band that is serious about becoming successful in presenting themselves professionally. An EPK is the best way to give anyone a quick glance at you, your music and your story. You can create one FOR FREE with the average desktop publishing software or with the numerous free services available on the Internet.

5. Once u are SURE your song is good to go, make as many copies of your CD as possible. I’d say at least 1,000 (Make sure your CD art has your info)

- There are many duplication options. I advice you raise money and pay for a professional replication plant to give you 1000 copies of your CD. The typical cost is between N40,000 and N100,000 for 1000 CDs and sleeves depending on who you chose to use. Always shop around for the best price before you decide.  1000 CDs seem like a lot until you start giving them out. Trust me, you’re better off with more than you need than less.

6. Create a myspace, twitter, facebook fan page, reverbnation and upload your EPK to each of them including your song, photos, bio etc.

- Make sure you have at least a facebook (artist fanpage, not a regular account) and twitter account, most of the fans you are trying to reach are already there. I suggest you get a reverbnation page as well; it helps you upload your music and has a nice integration with your facebook fanpage. When you are done creating these pages, these are the links you send to people to check out your music, and read about you.

7. Make a list of radio stations within your reach. I advice that u start with regional promo. It’s easier to manage. Nationwide can come later

- This is easy. Listen to your radio, write down the dials where music is being played, find out where the stations are all located and make note of the OAPs (On-air-personalities) that play on each radio station and at what time. This will help you build your “hit-list” when you begin distributing your CDs. If you know everyone that is on the air, you can ensure that they all have your music and all you have to work on is getting them to play it all the time.

8. Make a list of the nightclubs and places where music is played publicly within your reach. Again, regional promo is easier to manage.

- Same as above, know all the clubs, bars and hangout spots in your city. Try to have them all written down so that you can ensure they all have your material when you begin your promo.

9. Make a list of DJs and Radio personalities within your reach.

- Self-explanatory. Same as above.

10. Every entertainment journalist that has a column in a magazines or newspaper has an email address. Make a list of all of them.

- Get all the newspapers, magazines and entertainment publications you can lay your hands on. Most of them have an entertainment column and the journalist’s emails are usually listed. These are the guys you want to send your EPK to first. If they like you and your music, you can get mention in an article or two. It’s also good that they know who you are when they see you at events or listen to you on the radio. If the print media journalists are not familiar with you, they’re unlikely to write about you.

11. Get all this lists you have compiled together and create a realistic timeline of how long it will take to contact everybody.

- Get a book and write everything down. Determine those you can email, those you should meet one on one, and those you should have your manager or friends talk to. Then draw up a timeline for the promo. You should never stop doing promo for a song even if the song is doing well so you will need to contact all those on your list regularly. Make sure you plan properly and ensure that you’re not spending all your time and resources with only a few of them. You must spread the love so as to get more coverage. I made an example of an artist whose song is on heavy rotation on a particular station but you barely even hear it on others. That is very ineffective promotion because everybody is not listening to just that one station.  There maybe more than 20 radio stations in Lagos alone. If your song is not playing on 15 of them, you have work to do.

12. Create an email address and in the signature section, include all your twitter, facebook, reverbnation info and link to your song.

- This is important because every time you send out an email, you have room to advertise yourself,…why not??!

13. Send your EPK to every contact on your list that you can reach via email and start booking appointments for the ones u cant reach.

- The work begins. Take your time, be patient as most OAPs and radio DJs are very busy individuals. You may not be able to see who you wish to when you wish to but you must be persistent with reaching out.

14. Get your CDs to all the Radio DJs, club DJs, bars, Night clubs, Radio stations, Radio personalities, and everyone on your list.

- You want to be sure every authority in music has a copy of your CD.

15. Start your online campaign; start building your fan base by sending your music to people. Do everything in your power for ppl to listen.

- Send messages to friends; get people to “like” your fan page. Follow and get followers on twitter so that you are able to reach all your followers with just one tweet. Paste links for people to listen to your music and encourage people to “retweet” on twitter or “share” on facebook. This part takes some time to build but if people are digging your song, your fan-base can grow quite rapidly.

16. The goal is to get as many fans as possible, do whatever it takes to get people to listen to your music. If people like it, ure good to go

- Being “good to go” means you have been able to cross the first hurdle which is getting people to listen to your music. The rest of it lies with whether they like it or not and how well you’re able to follow-up now that you’ve got their attention.

17. If you follow those steps, & people like your music, you’re sure to get the music across to millions of fans over time. It won’t happen overnight though.

- Once your CD is at the radio stations, start getting your fans, friends and family to call into the radio stations, requesting the song. If you are aggressive enough, even if your music is nonsense, they will have to satisfy their listeners and play your song. Please note that I am not asking you to spam people to death…lol. Most radio stations have a facebook page and they have request shows where they ask facebook fans to make requests, when its request time, get your friends and fans to go to their timelines and request the hell out of your song. Please be careful not to become a nuisance. One message per person is adequate.

Well,…I hope these tips help.

- By eLDee The Don.

Toyin Subair is an intellectual property lawyer and Chief Executive Officer of the leading Nigerian Pay TV, HiTV.

Today, many of us set up businesses because our uncles, our friends will put some money in it, since there is no institution that will invest in the business and give it a bit of equity. Looking at it strictly from the banks’ perspective, we go to them to use debt to fund what we should ordinarily use equity to do. So you put them in the driving seat. Thus, they are giving you debt at huge fees on short term, when the business really needs long- term equity. What do they do when they give you that money? They know that you are not going to last; they take the money from your account and they now leave you to begin working for them with huge debt and this kills businesses. And once you are paying the debt, the investment to grow the business you should use the money for, you will not be able to do that. You will not be able to enter a growth stage anymore; you enter a repayment stage, when you should invest in things that are growth in nature.

If we are in an industry where the only people you can attract are the artistes, who have no managerial, financial, legal and marketing expertise and you have to face a banking industry that is still ‘razor sharp,’ and you fall into the hands of those that give you money like money lenders (and for money lenders, it is short term), they want their money back and you cannot do anything with it. And you begin to reduce element of investment, which is the real productivity; instead you are using it to repay debt to do film or album.”

Eighty per cent of monies according to Subair should be directed into infrastructure and businesses that are based on infrastructure.

The good thing about equity is that when you put in money, you can determine management as opposed to debt. With equity, you can say you must get a chief financial officer, chief marketing officer, and some other officers. Therefore, you are insisting on a level of management. So the money must be intelligently used for businesses to avoid people taking it to buy houses, cars or build houses.

The money should be for developing infrastructure in the different sectors of the entertainment industry. From those that do stage prop, lighting, everything to stage a film properly. You give them so that when they start doing shows, those shots will look cool and people want to watch and pay for it. You want to invest in companies that are really doing that and need that kind of infrastructure. Nigerian film industry today, if they release a film, we have just about 10 cinemas. In India, they have 2,500. If an India film comes out today, it is shown on cinemas, and piracy cannot disturb it. A film is supposed to go to cinema first before video, then television.

Ordinarily, Nigeria should have a minimum of 500 cinemas, proper, multiplexing cinemas, where you have two-case cinemas, restaurants and shops. We need that kind of infrastructure. Imagine the Mammoud Ali Balogun film or Dagrin film that just came out. I saw the amount of people that came out of the cinema hall. You can envisage if those films were showed in 100 cinemas over the weekend. Maybe 20 around Lagos, 10 in Port-Harcourt, five in Enugu, three in Ilorin, five in Ibadan and Oyo area, and people go out in these areas to watch these films. You should begin to calculate how much money would come back on the first week for Dagrin movie.”

The Nigeria movie industry has never had the opportunity to express itself through cinema because of lack of infrastructure, the HiTV boss submitted. “Cinema is for people to go out to have fun; it is not elitist. Let us trace it. What is the cinema culture? The cinema culture is going somewhere to watch film either with friends or family to have fun for the day. The number one thing is; do people go out to have fun in Nigeria? And if you are going to build cinemas, it is a different issue. Look at all the chicken companies that have come up in the last 10 years. Check, is it hunger that makes people go to Tantalizers or Tasty Fried Chicken?

To majority of the people, these places are entertainment destinations. People take their girlfriends there; people take their children there after church; that is why they strive. In some rural areas of the country, if you set up a Mr. Biggs, you will be amazed at the people that will patronise it. Okada (commercial motor bikes) riders will park their bikes outside, sit inside with their girlfriends to have fun. So, it is not true that we do not have the culture.

Cinema in Nigeria ran into problem during the indigenisation period in 1976. Before then, a lot of big towns were doing cinema. This was before the home video started. When home video started, which cinema was operating in Nigeria? Thus home video had no link with it. It was dead long before home video came in. It was no longer in existence. Indeed, cinemas before in Nigeria were not for Nigerian movies.

In fact, the Nigeria movie industry has never had the opportunity to express itself through cinema because of lack of infrastructure. What should we be spending money on? It is the building of cinemas, in making sure that the properties are well equipped, and you either produced it in digital format or 33mm; those are the things they need to look into and invest in critical institutions and companies, production companies, and things like that.

There must be strategic thinking. People go to watch football in viewing centres now; that is still cinema, it is the same culture. Today, many big viewing centres show films; it is just that when there is football, they show football. But every other time, they have films. So it is not that the culture is not there, but it is not organised.

So unless those things are put in place and done, the funding that comes from those movies is not going to happen. At present, those who are in charge of those movies are getting the money in small pieces, without a guarantee that they can get a full return back. But once you have cinemas, distribution companies, then things will start to take shape.

To be frank, what do you expect the producers to have done before now without infrastructure? Have you ever seen a detailed analysis of how many films are sold? And you know that we like giving figures; people like giving figures but attach numbers, reports and feedbacks of those figures, and you get zero. At the end of the day when they go to the bank, the banks that are going to loan them money are going to ask for a house. So, they are not lending money for business, they are just money lenders and they know that the business will not bring the money back and they know that they are going to sell the house; it is the standard.

But if somebody had thought about it properly, they would have known that except some things are in place that money will never come back, so they give them the money. The bank put in money without thinking through the whole system. The producers collected the money, but they also were not planning to do this thing for the next 30 years of their life, if not, they would have set up a plan.

Who did they give it to, the producers who produced these films themselves? Should they be the ones taking the money and investing the money? Somebody who is an expert would have tied up how he is going to get that money back, not these people who have become jack of all trades and masters of none. They are producers, distributors, marketers; in fact, some of them even act in the movies and write the scripts. So in that situation, what do you expect to happen?

One of the things I do tell people is this: If HiTV stops selling in Nigeria totally, and we continue to create the channels we are creating, the next three years, we continue what we are doing outside Nigeria, the amount of money we would be making as a company would be huge because the business outside Nigeria is so huge for Nigeria music, films and productions. We are the first African channel that will be measured in the UK by an approved audience-rating agency, and as I am talking today, we have 280,000 homes that are watching HiTV alone and that same broadcast is being showed up in Russia. And we have not done the amount of things we should do. And by the time we add some live shows and all kinds of programmes from Nigeria, we would expand it and I am sure that by the time we are entering the beginning of next year, we would have 700,000 homes guaranteed that will be watching us in the UK and that is money based on advertising and in terms of content and use.

For instance, an AY (comedian) comes to us that he wants to do a show in the UK and we advertise it for him completely. The show is sold out, and on the day of the show, people buy tickets for 100 pounds, that is N25,000 to watch the show and there are more people outside than inside. He makes his own money, ticket man makes his own money, it brings more money for us and we do that for how many comedians and film artistes in the UK today. And if the channel was not there, marketing becomes more difficult; those shows are more difficult to see. The channel is more successful because it has more idea concept even from local brand, marketed and put together properly, it insists on quality of production, then that means more shows. The next time, we will not just be doing one show; by the time we are finished with all of these guys, when next they want to go to the UK, they want to do 18 shows and tours. And the amount of money they will be making now, it will not just be the small money from one show. So you can see the multiplier effect if we get it right locally.

The number one thing is that we must stop being short-term minded, because nothing works like that. There is need for professionals to come in, then funding. If you notice what I said about equity and debt, with equity, you can dictate management. Do you know why I can say that? After five years of running my business, I found out that the biggest problem in Nigeria is not lack of money, it is lack of people who will do the work and do it well.

In any business, you must have people who are well trained and committed to that work. No matter the money they put in that business, the money will be short-lived without the right people and management and that is why I keep on talking about this management issue and attracting the right professionals so that the right money can come in. It must not be short-term. Short-term money and short-term people will kill everything and that is what we are having. It will not grow; you need long-term management individuals and long-term finances.

We also need regulations that will protect the industry. If you do not create regulation that will protect the industry, you have a local industry that you are exposing to damage, total damage. The World Trade Organisation Agreement allows every country to make laws to protect the growth of its own local media, entertainment and intellectual property industry.

The world recognises that you do not just allow foreigners to come into your country and destroy the creativity of your people. So where they say there is free trade market, there are exceptions to free market.

In South Africa, you cannot own a legal company as a foreigner and have more than 20 per cent. And we do not analyse these issues; why do we keep quiet about it in Nigeria?

If not for what we have done, look at the amount of investment that had come into the industry because we (HiTV) came in and are doing what we are doing. There is need of investment and growth of this industry.

Now, what is our problem? Our problem is that, like I have said, there are three forms. If we address the problem of distribution, you set up cinemas, you have video and you have television. And television is into two: you have Pay TV, and there is free to air. In the Pay TV, we have created that window so Nigerian movies have a platform in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Europe and America and we are distributing on that platform. So in that segment of the market, we are already dealing with it.

But the cinema belt must the sorted out; the video belt and even the free to air must be sorted out. That is for movie. The real issue is for production, which we are starting with our new studio and the Tinapa Project. And what was the reason for our investment in Tinapa? We need to improve the quality of local production.

- Toyin Subair

Illbliss is an award winning rap artiste, artiste manager and a part of the hiphop group – Thorobreds recognized by American rap star Jay Z during his visit to Lagos.

 

Amazing how the illest lyricists never get mainstream acceptance and massive sales. This is officially my real hiphop listening time out (been on since Friday last week) and I have been going through my library and its scary the kinda material only few ever get to hear and appreciate. From Elzhi to Slum Village, Royce The 59, Slaughterhouse, Masta Ace, EMC, Guilty Simpson, Random Axe, Nicolay, Little Brother, Rakim, Rass Kass, Skyzoo, Sean Price, KRS One, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, Blaqpoet, The Roots, J Dilla (R.I.P) Smif n Wessun, RhymeFest..the list Goes on.

The music may not do Wiz Khalifa or Waka Flocka Flame numbers BUT certainly much more thought provoking, innovative, energetic, fulfilling and THIS is just the rap genre..Lets Not talk soul ’cause that’s a whole different story. If you are a fledging and upcoming lyricist, i advise you study the crates, the past and the history so you stay better conditioned for the future. Have a Blessed week and kindly reserve your comments if you don’t quite understand what i just wrote…

- Illbliss Dat Ibo Boy

Dampte is a recording artiste, producer and record label co-owner. Renowned for his hit collaboration with singer YQ. He is a member of ASCAP and He has a new single ‘Mr. Go Get Her’ which was aired on Hot 97 Radio station – One of the very few Africans to achieve such feat. Download Mr. Go Get Her here.

As I type this note, I watch on TV how protesters in Egypt call for the resignation of the Country’s President, Hussein Mubarak and I really hope that is his name. I must first apologize and say I am sorry that I get diverted as easily as a little kid. This piece is about PMAN and not EGYPT some would argue. And oh yes, they are correct. However, over the course of this piece, I would get diverted here and then. Again, forgive me. Perhaps that is why my music is not selling *sigh*

PMAN is a body that represents Nigerian artistes I grew up to believe. I would save you the reader on the History of PMAN because I am certain; Sir Bankole Wellington (A.K.A Banky W) already did justice to that in his piece “The PMAN’s TALE”. I decided to adduce the “Sir” to his name because he deserves the title with the way he constructs his often one-sided and one-dimensional arguments and/or propositions. He has earned it in my books. Bear with me.

On that note, I would address the bone of contention. However, I must warn again that I am not a writer and not particularly gifted in the use of words but I do promise to be as articulate as possible. I would not cross all my t’s nor dot all my i’s so no one finds me guilty of grammatical pomposity. That point well put and I hope well taken, I address the issue at hand. The call for change, I must state is laudable. The route however taken by Sir Wellington is condemnable. Sir Wellington and his group of coupists, wants us to believe they are after the interest of the Nigerian Music industry and I categorically say they are not. They are nothing other than coupists. They are no better than Gideon Okah and his failed bid to take-over power by all means. For any section of any group to seek to impose its will on all others without following proper recourse qualifies such as a coupist. Back to Egypt, protesters are claiming the Government is old and have been doing the same things for 30 years and they want change. Mr. Wellington and his cohorts want the same thing for PMAN. What a great similarity. In Egypt, protesters line the streets. At the PMAN convention, Sir Wellington and his gangs lined the hall. Another similarity that cannot be ignored. I salute their resolve from the bottom of my heart. I could go on and on about the similarities and as such give a round of applause for Mr. Wellington. But wait, in Egypt, the protesters even though they have an opposition leader did not request that the Opposition leader be sworn in as president. At the PMAN convention, without fear or favor or following laid down constitutional guidelines, our coupists demanded eLDee (Lanre Dabiri) be sworn in as president. In Egypt, protesters did not and are not threatening to form a new country. I think, NEW EGYPT would be a great name if ever they needed a name. After the failed PMAN hijack, Sir Wellignton and his gangs are making efforts to form a new association. I believe I could highlight further dis-similarities if I so choose. I will not. BITE ME!

Mr. Wellington and his gangs hiding under the umbrella of the new generation of Nigerian artistes seek to throw away our culture, throw out our rights which we fought for with tears and blood. Maybe not tears and blood but it really doesn’t matter. The fact remains the coupists have thrown out all the principles of civilization. For an instance, let’s pretend Abubakar Atiku has the same mindset as my well travelled, learned and best selling colleague Banky W, Nigeria as we know it would be in CHAOS. Why? I would share. Atiku was unable to contest in his party’s primaries in 2006 and so shifted base to ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria, an opposition party in my Country for those not in this region). Under ACN, Abubakar Atiku lost the presidential election to Musa Yar’Adua or Yardie as my now infamous friend would call him (R.I.P to both). After the loss, Abubakar Atiku did not threaten to form a new country nor resort to name-calling as my able colleague has deemed fit to do. He went to the courts and also waited for another opportunity that came four years later. Well, we all know the result of the wait but notwithstanding; he abided by the rule of law and simple principles of civilization. If Banky W and his gangs are actually after the interest of Nigerian musicians, they only needed to have enough people registered as delegates and vote themselves into office. But no, they would rather bulldoze their way into office and after having failed in this mission, calling on others to join in their atrocities. If having soiled their names at the convention, they are of the opinion that forming a new or parallel body would solve the ills of PMAN, I am sorry but they just created CHAOS. I am not in a position to judge the success of the proposed alliance but I only see a case of Ikechukwu leaving STORM RECORDS and forming an alliance with MO-HITS before reconstructing it. I always wondered what Ikechukwu meant by all those terminologies and I hope he reads this piece and offer me a clear picture on his thoughts during all this process.

Back to the point, the truth remains that if there is no hidden agenda and/or propaganda by Sir Wellington and his gangs, what would a wait of two years cost an already decayed organization. What Sir Wellington need do is simple, get as many musicians as possible to be registered as delegates and vote themselves into office. I am of the opinion that President Goodluck’s 200 million dollar pay out to the industry is a motivating factor. How could a sect of Nigerian musicians sit in the comfort of their zones and claim to speak for over 300,000 Nigerian musicians? Okay, plus or minus 200,000. The Saturday Punch of 29th of January, 2011 sheds more light on what transpired at the convention. Sir Wellington as we all know sees the older generation as redundant, out of tune or better put disconnected from today’s realities and that they should be discarded. If Sir Wellington were left alone, he would order the death sentence for this older generation. Sir Wellington keeps forgetting his roots and I would not mind offering him a reminder. A Yoruba adage interpreted says “The wealth of wisdom of the young and the old gave birth to the rise of the Ife dynasty” Do My views do not end here but as I am not getting paid for this piece, I need to get rest. By the way, they call me Dampte, so what’s your name?

After this piece, I wouldn’t be surprised if again, I am blacklisted by numerous Deejays, artistes and media persons. I am already used to that fact. I would however, not just sit and watch while what is left of resemblance to organization in the music industry is hijacked by some acts because of their present clouts.

Oluwaseun ‘Dampte’ Oluyole