Yankee entertainment boss and Chairman of the Bank club, Abuja, Kehinde Adegbite, AKA, Mallam Yankee, has expressed dissatisfaction on how the Federal Government, FG, has neglected the entertainment industry in the country.
He said the industry which could be a huge source of revenue if it was well funded, was not supported by the FG, instead it invested only on roads and politics.
In an exclusive chat with DAILY POST, the entertainment guru said, “The industry is capable of generating millions of naira as revenue if well-funded.
“The industry has lots of prospects and potentials that can be used to boost revenue but has been ignored.
Reacting to whether the economic downturn is affecting his business, he said, “But the country’s economic downturn has not affected me in any way because everybody is frustrated and the only thing anybody can do is to drink or go and laugh or cool off. That’s the only thing we need now in Nigeria. So it is really helping me.
Speaking on the challenges associated with the nature of his job, Yankee said, “What can one do when one doesn’t have a God father, you can’t do politics and you can’t do 419 ,it is better to hold on to this, even with much stress. (showbiz).
“The government can capitalize on entertainment to reduce growing tension in the country. Entertainment business is a very big business but the Nigerian Government does not understand it yet.
“How many events have you seen the government attending or supporting at the Local or States or National level? They don’t even know it at this level and that is the truth.”
Continuing, Malam Yankee said, “The Entertainment Industry can create jobs for the country. As you can see, I have well over 150 staff strength and we are moving on.”
Asked if there was a way to let the government to be reminded that the entertainment industry can bring in good revenues and create employment for the country, the showbiz expert told our reporter, “I think they know but not paying attention to it. It’s an assumption, it’s a fact.”
On ways the government can partner with the entertainment industry, Mallam Yankee said, “Let us start with the Federal Capital Territorty, FCT government.
“Has the FCT government on their own ever organized anything as Carnival, end of the year FCT candle night, just like they do in Lagos?
“Has there been anything like that? The only thing that they think of in Abuja is land, road and politics. Has there ever been a Salah party?
“If you write to the FCT government to support what you are doing, they won’t even reply let alone participating, so this is what I am talking about.
“What I am saying is that the FCT government is actually investing on itself instead of investing in the youths,” the entertainment guru added.
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