Support entertainers to boost the economy, pave way for job creation in C’River – Group tells Gov. Otu

By Ene Ene, Calabar

Entertainers in Cross River have called on the state government led by governor Bassey Otu to assist the entertainment industry in providing infrastructure to enable them boost the economy, paveway for job creation in the state

They noted that the infrastructures, if provided will enable the entertainment industry to bring out their potentials, and boost the internally generated revenue, IGR, of the state.

The request was made during a stakeholders interactive session in Calabar between the entertainers, the government and their fans.

They opined that the entertainment industry in the world over is a fast growing sector, which has the potential of providing employment for the youths and bringing income to the state.

The entertainment clusters are made up of Guild of Editors, the Comedians, the Performing artists and the DJs.

Speaking at the event, a former commissioner for tourism art and culture in the immediate past administration, Mr Eric Anderson pointed out that Cross River State has one of the best sceneries in the country for film shootings but film makers must be encouraged by the government with infrastructures

He stated that shooting films in locations like Calabar, Ikom, Ogoja, Boki and even Obudu Can expose the State to the outside world especially when these films are shown on DSTV stations or even on GOTV stations, film makers and even tourists from outside could be attracted to these beautiful sceneries that are abound in the State and may decide to come in and invest.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on event management, Mr Effing Ekpenyong in a separate interview said CallyWood which was the creation of the former administration was to Carter for movie practitioners in the State, stressing that since the present administration came onboard, that agency is yet to be constituted.

He however promised that, the agency would soon be constituted because according to him, “creative industry can not be overlooked adding that movie industry today is just a segment of the creative industry that can provide jobs for our unemployed youths and add value to the economy

Ekpenyong then promised that when the agency is established, some grants would be given to movie producers in the State for them to produce short films.

The chairman of the occasion was the Chief of staff to the Governor who was represented by the Special Adviser, General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba who said it is the avowed determination of the present government to fight youth unemployment and bring them out of the street for them to be useful to themselves and the larger economy

Akiba stressed that the Government would continue to support and encourage the creative industry because of the potentials that are embedded in that sector as it has to do with job creation and as an economic booster.

He also used the event to appeal to the entertainers mostly youths not to allow themselves to be used by anyone or group noting that what the state lost in the “ENDSARS” of 2020 are yet to be recovered but encourage them to use their positions and talents to preach peace and not violence to their fans and supporters.