Entertainment sector was vibrant in 2007 - Saheed Osupa
Saheed Osupa
SAHEED Akorede
Okunola, aka
Saheed Osupa, has assesed Nigeria’s entertainment scene in 2007 and given it a pass mark.
Speaking in Ibadan recently after performing at a show packaged by Hakeem Salam of Obinna Music Promotion, Osupa noted that although the entertainment industry might not have added significantly to the nation’s economy like that of European countries and the United States in 2007, it has nonetheless improved the financial status of practitioners as well as reduced unemployment.
Osupa said that the increase in the number of artistes playing traditional music has helped to further promote indigenous languages and arts, in addition to entertaining and educating Nigerians.
Speaking further, the Ibadan-born fuji act said another way Nigeria has benefitted from music and the the arts generally, was the increase in the number of young people who have taken to music.
“We now have many singers, actors, dancers and artistes. The emergence of hip-hop stars like Tuface-Idibia, Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila, Ruggedman, Weird MC and others have helped reduce the rate of unemployment in the country as well as helped youths in spending their time creatively. You know, some youths see these musicians as models and by encouraging them to act rightly, then music has been beneficial to the country,” Osupa said.
The musician, however, acknowledged the role played by older artistes, stating that the influence of legends like the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, late Stephen Osita Osadebe, Ebenezer Obey, KSA, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kollington, Victor-Uwaifor and others have helped kept the music scene alive.
Osupa said that beyond the fact that the showbiz industry in Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, Nigeria is a nation blessed with rich culture and talents in all areas of endeavours, and that the origin of Nigeria’s arts and music lies in the numerous traditions among the nation’s tribes.
He subsequently called on government and corporate bodies to support the music industry and the arts generally to consolidate on the achievements of last year this year.
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