The Chronicles of Abuja Entertainment Industry, why Continuous stagnation? An account of Emma Bricks Oko
It is no longer a hidden fact that Lagos State is the hub of entertainment; this explains why at the mention of entertainment; the first city that comes to the mind of every Nigerian is Lagos.
This is because; the Federal Capital Territory FCT, that is supposed to toil the same line has no celebrated name that attracts traffic to events be it Comedy, Music, Acting, Dance, TV/Radio hosts, Blogging, DJs etc.
Also, the entertainment industry in the nation’s capital over the years has not been as active as it ought to be.
About 99% of performance of the major events usually organised in the capital city are always done by top celebrities from Lagos.
These organisers usually bring in these top celebrities from Lagos to headline their shows in order to pull crowd and to also make money.
Sadly, the development is gradually killing the names of the upcoming celebrities in the FCT. Who should by now ordinarily would have carved a niche for themselves.
Looking back at the history of Entertainment in Abuja, you will recall that it dated as far back as the early 2000s under one umbrella which was known as the AGN, (Actor’s Guild of Nigeria) Abuja chapter.
The AGN, was respected due to its hard work and diligence by its pioneers. However, little did these pioneers knew that greed, hatred, back stabbing, envy and all other norms will set in and ruined their goals.
Back then in the early 2000s, only a few names were there to reckon with both in nollywood, comedy, music etc. Some of the names were:
NOLLYWOOD:
~Ayo Emmanuel (Nollywood Police)
~ Tony Goodman (Uncle T)
~Linda Clems (last Girl Standing, Gulder Ultimate Search, 20..)
COMEDY
~Dr. Ayuba
~Fred Bright
~Wahala (Now Ambassador Wahala)
~Stainless (Now Stainless Precious)
MUSIC
Baba2010
Style-Plus
X-Stranger (Now Efe, he left the music industry)
~Julieta
~Samsong (the churchboy)
OAPs/TV HOST
~Maqueen (D Resident President Ray-Power)
~Randy Abu (NTA: AM express)
~Talatu Gbengalama/Tunde (AIT: Shakartawa)
~Benny Ark (Cool Fm) whose pride has taken him to nowhere.
PAGEANT PRODUCERS
~Ejiro(MBGA)
~Barry (FGD).
Tell me a name that’s not here and I will tell you why + My name because I have been there too.
These were the few names people were eager to see at events in the FCT; and the industry was growing from strength to strength before the evolution of the more contemporary industry where comedy and Pageant sectors are now littering the industry.
Lack of co-operation amongst event managers, Comedians, Pageant Producers, actors, media and other sectors in the entertainment industry can be identified as a major set back.
~Why in COMEDY, there is lack of respect, diligent, envy, loyalty, hatred and greed amongst themselves, the senior comedians are jealous of the younger comedians who seems to have more funny jokes and skills.
While the subordinate seems so stubborn and in-submissive, there is also issues of appreciation after event by senior comedians after events.
While others are jealous or envious of whose jokes are funnier, others seems to run each other down through various ways so as not to see them grow. One wonders how an industry will grow when it is full of all these vices.
Where comparison has become the order of the day. Let’s be sincere with ourselves by mentioning just one name In the Abuja entertainment industry that can pull in twenty (20) persons to a show! If you doubt me, waiting for your list pls…….
Having clique is a normal thing everywhere but in Abuja, clique is one of the major killing factors in the industry. Here, rather than promoting members; they prefer to run each other down.
There is no difference in the Pageant sector as well. Pageant Organisers in Abuja wish everyone to fail so that only theirs succeed. Producers practically go to other pageant events to identify flaws in order to discuss it in clique gathering. Abuja industry is the only place where pageant producers would send a contestant into the camp of another to know the operations/activities so to have knowledge while talking down on producer, no love for each other, “I brought the biggest artistes, mine is the most organised, I have the most pretty/matured girls, most popular pageant etc. Why forgetting fast that as much as the pageant springs, the sector is still untapped and the sky is big for every bird to fly.
Why the hate?…My craft is different from yours, why the strange face for my success? When we can work together and make ourselves bigger and better?
Why the evil thought?
Why am I a threat to you?
Why is fellow entertainer always a topic of discussion in your gathering?
I Go Die/AY! Olamide/Timaya! Linda Ikeji/Pulse! John Okafor/Omotala! Yaw/Chigurl! All live in Lagos and they are known for their different crafts/profession
Why can’t Brickswrites/Alexreports! NickB/Chuks D General! Kingsley Amafibe/Chris Odey! Shortcut/Mc Bob! Mc Terry/Chuk E! Fiona Garuba/Agility Onwurah live in Abuja and be proud of themselves?
Abuja grow up! United we stand, divided we fall…..why the continuous stagnation? #
It’s about time we come together. Nice one
Well said! you surely can not mention all names but these are about the 2nd-3rd generation of the Abuja entertainment industry, the truth is not far from what you said! you are so brave to have written this article, i don’t appreciate any blogger in Abuja because they all lack professionalism only to patronise people and get money, i have been following you since, you seems to stand out among them. keep it up, am a great fan and knows the story too.
Bricks may God enrich who ever that sent you to school, thank you for a such mature thought, write-up, observation and advice…. Thanks bro! I don’t know you’re this intelligent) lol) Mc Allow.
Bricks may God enrich who ever that sent you to school, thank you for a such mature thought, write-up, observation and advice…. Thanks bro! I don’t know you’re this intelligent) lol) Mc Allow.
Seriously its about time we Bond together as family and stop the beaf amongst us, believe me we will turn the world of Abuja entertainment industry around for Good. Just like you can’t break a bunch of Broom, that’s how strong we will be together ( ALL FOR ONE ) for me I ain’t beefing nobody I love each and everyone of you, but plsss if I have ever offended you in anyways plss am on my kneels right now, do find a place in your heart and forgive me biko. Am very sorry plss take me as your brother (thank you very much)
Intelligent write up,when. U write without bias u. Find more honest followers,u even did ma story without me paying u dine. But I know a popular blogger here who has promised for years yet. Did no. Story for ma business,even though ave gone out of. Ma. Way to help him(no name mentioned)continue to be the pen that brings unity ma brother and. Speaks the truth one day when the man who re-wrote history will be needed u will be remembered#Barrister Obi#entertainmment lawyer#obitaris consult says all this and defends it anytime#GodblessBrickswrites