Living in glass houses
The Honourable Minister for Information Lai Mohammed, is increasingly mired in unnecessary controversies. His modus-operandi ensures that he personally, rather than his Ministry or the National Orientation Agency (NOA), is identified with most controversial policies, contradictions, or misinformation involving this administration.
The latest rumpus concerns a new policy initiative on Creative Arts. He recently announced that only music or videos recorded and produced locally can be designated as “local content”. On the surface this would seem fair enough, but as with all government policies there is more to it than meets the eye. Designation as “local content” radically affects the amount of airplay a video or soundtrack can enjoy because the law specifies a minimum of 60% local content in broadcasting.
The new policy is in effect a veiled manner of restricting airplay for artistes who record or produce overseas. Opponents of the policy believe, with some justification, that artistes are being asked to lower standards by a government trying to control an industry which it doesn’t really understand. It’s instructive that the Hon Minister only held meetings with those who expect to gain from the policy, not those who feel that they would be adversely affected. Amongst the latter group are Nigerian Superstar Music Artistes P-Square who created a social media storm by tweeting “insults” directed at the Hon Minister.
The “official” organs of the industry who benefit from government patronage, openly defended the Minister, while APC Youth’s inappropriately called for arrests. What is called for at this juncture isn’t arrests but rather the introspection required from leaders when young men insult them. They must ponder over whether or not they have set a good example and given youths in general, let alone modern-day superstar artistes, any reason to respect them or their opinions? If truth be told, the likes of P-Square have promoted positive images of this country far more than any government, or political appointee. Asking them to be “patriotic” is hypocritical.
Patriotism doesn’t mean obedience to government, it means obedience to the principles for which government is supposed to stand. Government is supposed to give citizens access to the best, not restrict them from it! Taking on the youths may just be the waking of a sleeping giant. These days, Nigerian youths are politically agitated and openly querying patriotism. They demand to know why Music, Films and Videos should be singled out for patriotism? They ask whether its not unpatriotic for government officials to travel abroad for medical treatment? or send their children to school overseas? or wear imported suits? or use imported fabrics to sew “native dress”? They ask why, in spite of launching made in Nigeria cars with fanfare, government still buys imported jeeps? Regrettably, our leaders by their actions, have lost the respect of youths, and forfeited the moral right to lecture them on patriotism. This policy will have adverse effects.
Although exposure on radio is one of the routes to success, artistes don’t make money from royalties on airplay. Nowadays success in music is all about the internet. The music video industry is perhaps the most competitive in the world and Nigerian artistes must produce videos and soundtracks of international standard. In truth, only a small percentage of them who earn money from endorsements, concerts, the internet and overseas tours can afford to do productions overseas. For every video or soundtrack produced abroad there are over 100 produced locally, but it’s no surprise that with better facilities the majority of successful hits are produced abroad.
Restraining artistes in any way from accessing the best production techniques and personnel available is a disservice to the nation. It will basically reduce our artistes to “local champions”. Government’s interference in what is essentially private business, is based upon their projection that a regulated creative arts industry can somehow create one million jobs within three years. Apparently, this illusion can become reality if the industry stops “exporting jobs meant for unemployed starving Nigerians”.
It’s nonsensical to believe that artistes waste money by producing overseas. The notion that “unemployed or starving” Nigerians can do the same quality work is quite silly. In addition to having up-to-date equipment, technical staff in the creative arts industry overseas are formally trained. In Nigeria, it’s the opposite and it shows. Even those quality productions filmed in Nigeria use technical crews brought in to the country and the recordings are returned overseas for production mastering. Filming or recording locations aren’t really the issue, the majority of employees in the industry comprise equipment operators, sound engineers, editors and producers. As big an income earner as Hollywood is, the bulk of their movies aren’t filmed in the USA.
Government must blame themselves, not artistes who desire the best, for causing “export” of jobs. If they seriously desire to promote employment in the creative arts industry they should implement a long-term plan by establishing standard Schools of the Performing Arts. Trained Nigerian technicians and producers can then transform the industry into a foreign exchange earner. The Hon Minister is taking the flak for the fact that Government really has no right to demand that musical artistes sacrifice their personal standards and choice for the sake of patriotism, bearing in mind that those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones!