Music and Creative Industries need regular intervention of the government for support: Evang. Bose Adeiwa
A gospel singer, Evangelist (Dr) Bose Adeiwa Music Ministry International, has lamented that people in the creative and entertainment industry are not getting the needed support from the federal and state governments.
The social worker turned musician who said the industry needs the regular intervention of the governments to address the myriads of challenges confronting those in the industry particularly, the musical artistes, advised government at the federal and state levels to design a policy that will identify and support people with special talents.
She listed some of their challenges to include, lack of finance, musical instruments, promotion, specious buses (transport/mobility) among others.
The singer made the appeal after ministering in songs at the dedication of multi million naira toilet facilities donated to Prophet Sam Olu-Alo’s Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo, Jesus City, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State,where she pointed out that promoting music on digital platforms these days requires a lot of money.
” I want to use this medium to appreciate my father in the lord, the planter of CAC Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain, World-wide, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo for the promotion he has been giving to me and my band, this is beyond my expectation and I don’t take it for granted. May God continue to bless him.”
The Ibadan-based gospel musician who revealed that she has known Prophet Olu-Alo for about six years now encouraged all men of God to emulate his good attitude and kind gestures of promoting and helping people to achieve their dreams, fulfill their destiny in Christ not in the world.
According to her, “In Nigeria, it appears government doesn’t have any serious plan for those in the entertainment industry, particularly the musicians (secular or gospel). Those of us in the industry are just struggling to make things happen for ourselves. I am appealing to government to support and assist us.
“I will like to advise our government to come up with a policy that can help anyone with special talent in music and other entertainment related skills.
“There is nothing bad in government giving yearly royalties to all musicians. To achieve this, a platform should be created for the registration of all musicians in the country and every year they can do something to impact on us.
“It is not good to be begging for financial assistance for those in the entertainment industry and celebrities whenever they are having challenges.
“I am appealing to the government to come to the aid of musicians in Nigeria and put things in place at least for any artiste that has one or more records, because in one way or the other they are adding value to our society.
“Like me, I have 17 band members under me and I am paying them wages weekly not monthly. They get paid each time we go for ministration. It means in a way, we are lifting our youths and empowering them”
The gospel musician who has 11 albums to her credit said, “I have been into doing gospel since 20 years ago. I did my first record in 2006 titled, ‘Divine Glory’ and my formal inauguration was in 2003.”
She called on the leadership of the Gospel Musician of Nigeria (GOMAN) to do more for members of the association in terms of health, pension, life insurance policies and others to enhance their wellbeing.
While calling on gospel musicians to move closer to God to know Him the more, she counselled the Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, to work on talented people within the state rather than looking for such outside of the state. Because when you are promoting your own, you are empowering them.
Commenting on the economic situation in the country, she urged those at the helms of affairs to prioritize the welfare of the people who are currently going through hard times.
“The people are suffering. The inflation rate in our country is unimaginable. Prices of goods and services have skyrocketed. With the look of things, there seems to be no hope for the common man and there is the need for the federal government to do something urgent to salvage the situation.”
Adeiwa added: “People- oriented policies should be designed to bring succour to the vulnerable people through empowerment like what Prophet Olu-Alo has done for the people today.
“Government should do for the people what they are voted for to do, that is, attending to the security and the wellbeing of the masses.
“Those in the seat of power should fear God and consider the poor in all their dealings, be the voice to the voiceless and emphasize and rescue the people from suffering.”
