As President Goodluck Jonathan prepares to hand over the mantle of leadership to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, DAILY POST takes a quick look at some entertainers currently holding federal government appointments and would likely exit the scene with the Otuoke-born politician.
Kanayo O Kanayo
Veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo is one of the few entertainers who have been benefitting from the leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan. His stanch support for the outgoing government earned him an appointment as board member of one of Federal Government’s parastatals. The ace actor is currently a member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
KOK, as he is fondly called has been one of the major ‘bridges’ between the FG and Nollywood.
With the ouster of President Jonathan, Kanayo O Kanayo may have started arranging some files in his office ahead of the May 29 handover if the board is not dissolved before then.
Onyeka Onwenu
Elegant Stallion, as ageless Nollywood actress-cum-singer prides herself has been the official musician for most presidential gatherings lately.
The ‘One Love’ crooner was appointed as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Abuja.
This development made her to campaign vigorously for the incumbent president before and during the March 28 election. Onyeka who put in all she got, including paid adverts to ensure the continuity of Jonathan government may have resorted to fate ahead of May 29. She is one of the few artists whose political career may remain dimmed until the APC government is done with Nigeria.
Ibinabo Fiberesima
She is no doubt one of the many Nigerians who were heartbroken following the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 Presidential election.
As a first female Actors Guild of Nigeria president, Ibinabo Fiberesima was appointed into the board of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, by President Jonathan.
She however came under heavy criticisms by Nollywood buffs for dragging the motion picture industry into politics by using its actors to campaign for Jonathan.
The mother of five who led 80 Nollywod delegates to Aso rock for a courtesy visit to President Jonathan, making him their grand patron, flew abroad after Jonathan’s defeat as she knew her time was up. Ibinabor will be the last Actress to be considered for any position under the incoming administration.
Bongos Ikwue
Idoma-born music star and Cock Crow at Dawn crooner, Bongos Ikwue has been enjoying a quiet in his Otukpo country for a while now.
At a point, he was rumoured to be having serious financial crisis before he resurfaced with a 70-tracker album entitled, The Way It Is.
The Double K Resort boss was recently appointed chairman of the board of the Nigerian Film Corporation by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. His age may count for him this time around as the incoming government may likely keep him. Aside his age, his political affiliation was at no point clearly defined, even as he never made any awful utterances against the opposition.
Obi Asika
The last cabinet reshuffle by the President, Goodluck Jonathan saw the appointment of popular entertainment personality, Obi Asika as the new Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the president.
Obi Asika replaced Reno Omokiri who was the Special Assistant to Jonathan on New Media in what is pretty much the same office.
However, Asika’s appointment and his huge online presence could not save his boss from defeat on March 28.
The Anambra State-born entrainment personality funded the famous Storm 360 Limited in 2008 alongside Olisa Adibua.
Asika has however reached the climax of his political career and may want to return to his business of entertainment.
Richard Mofe Damijo
Journalist-turned-actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, famously known as RMD is no doubt one of the longest serving entertainers in the present administration.
RMD has been the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria under the government of Emmanuel Uduaghan since 2009.
Until his appointment as commissioner, the ex-Concord reporter was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment/Talent development where he used his wealth of experience in the entertainment industry for the development of Delta State.
Recall that his ministry was accused of embezzling N50m but the matter was swept under the carpet.
As his principal, Uduaghan prepares to handover the baton of leadership to Ifeanyi Okowa, winner of the last governorship election; RMD is gradually preparing his handover note ahead of May 29 as it is not certain the incoming government will consider him for any other position
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