Actor, Saidi Balogun seeks Government intervention in Nollywood

Actor and filmmaker, Saidi Balogun, has said that the Nigerian movie industry is in dire need of government intervention to enable it do better.

He said in an interview that “Our people are doing so well. However, things would get better if the government could provide a proper structure for Nollywood, so that people who invest in the industry would be able to make a profit.

Balogun added “When people spend so much money to produce movies and they don’t make their money back, they would lose interest in the industry. If the government provides a proper structure for Nollywood, we would be able to make money from what we produce and sell to Nigerians here in Nigeria.

“We have to showcase our culture to the world and we need the support of the government to achieve that. Nigerians are doing great (things) all over the world, and some of them are now coming back home to contribute their quotas to the industry. ”

Balogun also noted that his focus was now on grooming young talents in the movie industry. He said, “These days, I tend to promote young talents, especially those who had never been on screen. I use my platform to encourage the youth by allowing them to showcase their talents to the world.

“I do this to give back to society because some people also allowed me to prove myself and showcase my talent to the world. I am glad to have got the support of the Minister for Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare; and the Lagos State government through the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.

“Many young people are as determined or even more determined than some people in my generation. These days, young people are doing so much to achieve great things despite the increasing competition.”

Celebrities lament high cost of living

Meanwhile, some Nigerian entertainers have lamented the increasing cost of living in the country, a situation they attribute to fuel scarcity, and diesel prices as well as reduced electricity supply amid increased electricity tariffs.

They called on the Nigerian government to intervene in the growing inflation rate to curb the increasing cost of living most Nigerians are experiencing.

Singer, Paul Okoye, of Psquare, lamented the cost of fueling local generators in his home had tripled especially in the face of poor electricity supply, following the collapse of the National Grid.

He wrote on social media, “Ordinary house, I am spending N1.4m naira for (sic) diesel. Diesel is the new luxury.”

Meanwhile, popular skit maker and actor, Debo Adedayo, aka Mr Macaroni, tweeted, “No light, fuel price has gone up, scarcity, Academic Staff Union of Universities is on strike, food prices have gone up, housing cost is ridiculously high, the security level of lives and property is worrisome, and no jobs. Salaries are not being paid. Nigerians are really going through it!”

Actress and presenter, Toke Makinwa, also wrote on Twitter, “800 Naira per litre for diesel. My generator has been on since yesterday morning.  Nigeria, which way to go?”

Actress and TV host, Stephanie Coker, wrote, “The bill for my car as a result of bad fuel is N3.7m; a 2020 car! Diesel is now N780. Now that the power grid has collapsed, it will probably increase. I drove by the Lekki toll gate and it (a sign there) states toll charges will resume on April fool’s day (April 1). Are we fools or are we being fooled?”

Sharing the new message he got from his service apartment, singer, Timi Dakolo, wrote on Twitter, “Nigeria will humble you. Service apartment said they are not doing servicing again. Everybody should please get their own generator. They said, ‘Cancel the contract that says no personal generator in the facility,” he tweeted.

Punch/Twitter/Hauwa Abu