Ibadan – The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) says the entertainment industry can contribute meaningfully to the economy in a conducive environment.
Bamidele Odule, the National President, TAMPAN, said the industry would thrive in a conducive environment and thereby contribute positively to the nation’s economy in the area of revenue generation.
He spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the One Year Anniversary and Investiture Ceremony of TAMPAN in Ibadan on Sunday.
Odule said the need to reposition the sector for greater heights had necessitated the formation of TAMPAN a year ago, adding that it had since lived up to expectation.
“It is been very okay with the association and I have enjoyed maximum cooperation and contributions of our members.
“We hope to reposition and transform the association in the years to come,’’ he said.
Similarly, Yomi Fash-Lanso, the association’s Director of Public Research, told NAN that a massive infrastructural development would help the entertainment industry to flourish.
He said that the necessary infrastructure, if provided, was capable of creating employment and generating revenue for government.
According to him, more community cinema houses would shore up losses to piracy.
“For instance, in India, there are over 33,000 cinema houses and I do not think we have up to 50 cinema houses across the 36 states of Nigeria,’’ he said.
Fash-Lanso, who said that the entertainment industry was the highest employer of labour in the world, appealed to government to liaise with core professionals to develop the industry.
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The artiste said that the industry missed the opportunity to benefit from the good plans of the last administration because of the selfish interest of some people.
Fash-Lanso said that the perception of theatre arts before the public had in recent times changed for good, saying TAMPAN has fared well, judging by public acceptance.
NAN reports that the programme featured the investiture of Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar of JAMB, as TAMPAN Grand Patron.
Also honoured were Erelu Olusola Obada, Amb. Cornelius Oluwateru, Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, and Alhaja Basirat Arisekola-Alao.
High Chief Lekan Alabi, the Aare Alaasa Olubadan of Ibadanland, was named Adviser to the group.
TAMPAN at the colourful ceremony also inaugurated its Board of Trustees, with Adebayo Salami as Chairman, Jide Kosoko as Secretary as well as Lanre Hassan, Oluseyi Sosan and Lateefat Lamolliate are members.
NAN also reports that dignitaries at the event included Sheikh Muyideen Bello, Prophet Muyideen Kasali, Chief Adebayo Faleti, Moses Adejumo, popularly known as `Baba Sala; and Oyin Adejobi known on stage as `Iya Osogbo.’’ (NAN)