By Dimeji Ogedengbe
Silverbird’s 30th Anniversary concert, which held at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos on Saturday November 6, 2010 was an overwhelming night that will not be forgotten in a long time from now.
The Silverbird head-honcho Mr. Ben Murray Bruce engaged and committed Mr President in a passionate speech that gave many goose pimples and got the VIP audience on their feet in full ovation
‘I want you to recognize the entertainment industry, you said you will never let them down, let the young kid go to the bank and borrow a million or two to make a record or make a movie, support the entertainers, if you support them, they’ll vote for you‘, Murray-Bruce charged President Jonathan.
And Mr Jonathan, who is hoping to secure his party’s presidential ticket in next year’s general elections, responded: ‘Nollywood is getting set to take over the world, I recognize the entertainment in the Nigerian economy, this government will support an industry that makes Nigerians happy. I gave them direct order to make sure entertainers have $200million worth of loan to work with. Make more movies, write and produce more hit songs, provide jobs and give hope to our people’ he promised while kokomaster D’banj cheered him on, chanting (‘Jona Jona, Goodluck Jona) at every quick interval of Mr. Presidents’ Speech.
However A-list dignitaries including Professor Wole Soyinka, EFCC chairman Mrs. Farida Waziri, Finance minister Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Communications minister Dr. Dora Akunyili, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu amid flocks of celebrities that were present at the classy event were not conspicuous as many were overwhelmed by Mr. Bruce’s inspiring speech and Mr. Presidents’ eventual commitment to the entertainment Industry.
Ben Bruce, 54, highlighted the birth, struggles, success and achievements attained by Silverbird in the last 30 years as the slides on the projector screen showed guests how the entertainment conglomerate began the not-so-easy journey
The hope-stimulated speech aroused another round of goose-pimples when Mr. Bruce revealed his intention to build Africa’s tallest building in the federal capital territory, Abuja – reiterating his points with total confidence and pride.
‘I will build the tallest building in Africa’, Ben Bruce quipped as President Jonathan unveiled the Silverbird’s Stratosphere.
What the Celebs told NET in reaction to President Jonathan’s promise:
‘I think it has been coming; only recently the world bank released papers where the worth of Nollywood was about $250,000 annually and that Nollywood loses over a billion dollars to piracy. If we are going to get a little bit of that billion dollars, we need enough support like the kind of money that the president has announced. When I first heard N300million, I was disappointed because a movie cost $300,000,000 in America and we’re in Africa, so when the president came back and said he made a mistake I was like yes that is it. The face of the industry like we have predicted for so many years is gonna change. In the next few years we’re gonna see a true boom; Nollywood is about to boom and the government is just joining forces.
Nollywood thrived without the government, so the government will make a huge mistake to make a promise and fail. Nollywood will still succeed with or without the government. The government should be weary of that but if Nollywood succeeds without the government. Nollywood will be churning out a world view that the government will be worried about because you would have left it to charlatans; but if the government controls it, then we can have some form of order
– Fred Amata
‘It’s a welcome development and a great idea’
– Segun Arinze
‘Oh yes, I expect that if the president makes a promise he’ll keep his promise so I think it will materialize and it’s about time too because Nollywood is about the largest fast growing movie industry in this region ,and the bane of the industry so far has been adequate funding because you need money to make good films. So with more money, we’ll get better films and people will enjoy going out more to watch movies’
– Grace Egbagbe
‘By all means, he’s a man of his word. We’ll expect to see the manifestation and the result of the $200million offered’
– Zack Orji
‘I think it’s very promising for our industry but seriously we’re here to stay, we are not going anywhere because we need to grow and we’re all happy about that. Well, it’s for us to make sure that they keep to their promise so we need to hold on to their words. Hence, the entertainment industry as a whole is going to grow’
– Stephanie Okereke
‘I think it’s about time, a good thing and a smart move on the President’s part. $200million is some money, it’s not a fortune. Well since they haven’t told us how it’ll work, I prefer to be optimistic and it’s obvious to anybody who’s looking that the entertainment industry in Nigeria will succeed anyway, so it’s a good thing to get on the bandwagon now. I do think that this time around, things will be different. I don’t know the kind of person he is, so I can’t speak on his behalf but I like to be hopeful and if I were the president I would make sure I do it’
– Funmi Iyanda
8 comments
Mr president will surely keep his promise bcos ko ni fe te…in d hands of Nollywood.(Sori I made a mistake at d previous page)
can someone pls help me explain
why even our own president now
doll out money in 'dollars'
it is a thing of greater pleasure and joy that the industry(NOLLYWOOD ), as at large will soon become the largest movie maker in the world ,and that we pray for.Presiding President,President GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, been a highly respected personality, a man that believes in what he can do and also believes in his people haven promised to give out to the entertainment industry $200,000,000:00 has really made up his mind to boost up the level of not only our culture, but has put in mind to every young entertainer a chance to show what they can offer to the nation positively , a chance the redeem the image of the entertainment industry to meet up to standard with international movie makers(HOLLYWOOD). Goodluck Jonathan , I believe will keep to his promise.
The money given out was not planned for! In 15mins our president made a decision that was to take at least 2weeks! its sad because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! it is a good decision tho, but if half of the money i.e 15billion was given out to fight piracy, it would have gone a long way. An impulsive spending president cannot lead us all to the right path. think about it.
Dear
Sir/Ma Am kingsley pius cocodia Iam A native of Bayelsa state and I am the president of (EYES OF GOD PRODUCTION ENTERTAINMENT). A group of youth and teenagers that is in to dancing, music, acting and commedy. this group has struggle without fund produce two local job in Bayelsa the film is not going anywhere because there is no market face
within the year I have wrote 178 music, 20 movie, 2 dancing movie, and a music dancing movie. I want to apply for the loan to in-able me and my group of fifty three person get to the nest level of production.
Sir/Ma I want to know how and the procedure of the loan.
I am an up coming entertainer in bayelsa state. I want to know about the loan. how to apply for it and where to address it to. thanks.
My is david. from anambra.please want 2 use this opportunity 2 thanks. our president.god we bless him and his family.but my people how get i d loan. or how can i apply 4 it.i want u no more.