Nigerian Entertainment Conference NECLive 2022 Holds in Lagos
The ninth edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, which is known as NECLive, takes place today at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos.
The themed ‘Sustaining The Africa Momentum’, NECLive will be exploring how African creatives and entertainers can use digital media and technology tools to build sustainable economic power for themselves, the industry, and their nation. The conversation will focus on how we can build economic power for ourselves and the country, opportunities via communities of Africans in the diaspora, as well as how to drive social impact and development through entertainment in Nigeria.
According to the Convener, Kunle Ayeni, in his address, said that the entertainment industry has what it takes to chart a new course for the country.
Ayeni said that watching Burna Boy performance at the Madison Square, was a reminder that entertainment industry has what it takes to chart a course.
“This concert is big for Africa and for America but I want you to understand that African have huge population, our success in entertainment should translate into economic buoyancy.”
“The first time I heard Asa play at a mall, I was so excited but now it’s like a norm, we are the change that we hope to see, and I want us to pause smell the roses and clap for ourselves,” he said.
The keynote speaker, Debo Adebayo, popularly know as Mr Macaroni, urged entertainers to use their voice as a tool for change as much as they can, the Soro soke (speak up) movement
“This conference is to help us talk about the problems that we face as a nation and proffer possible solutions.
“Soro soke influencing, using entertainment to drive development holistically, it is our collective responsibility to use our talents to influence a better Nigeria, the change starts with us.”
Macaroni also said that,“No matter what you do, you have a role to play, find your niche, and effect change in your little corner and watch it blossom.”
“There is now a burden on artists in the industry to cause change with their crafts. The environment cannot be burning and artistes are not able to drive change with their individual talents. Functioning artistes should be influenced by happenings in society,” he said.
Macaroni said that advocacy was not just for celebrities and urged the youths to use their social media handles for positivity and not to troll.
“Everyone has the power, it depends on how you have decided to use yours, build your brand, talk about issues that affect your community, you never can tell whois watching and where succour will come from.”
“Stop wasting your time trolling people, if your argument cannot be constructive leave it, we need to learn the power of speaking out constructively,” he said
Speaking at the event, Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, said : “Building a country of our dream will be easy when we all have a role to play.”
“I engaged these so called Area Boys when I was training the boys to play chess and they delivered well.
“Going to these slums to give them biscuits and chocolate will not change their likes, it won’t make any impact, our leaders need to do better.
“All through the time we were at the dreaded Oshodi, not even a pencil was stolen, probably because they felt included; policy makers should make more provisions for them, we all have a role to play,” Onakoya said.
There was a musical break, which was dedicated to the memory of the late Olanrewaju Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan.
NAN/Oluchi.O
