The Ogun State Indigene Entertainment Professional Forum has strongly condemned the Ogun State Government, particularly the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, for its treatment of indigenous artists regarding the Cultural Center in Abeokuta.
In a statement signed by the association’s General Secretary, Hon. Kehinde Soaga, and Mr. Bayo Bankole on behalf of the Board of Trustees, it was revealed that the government is charging a hefty sum of Twenty Thousand Naira per day for artists to gather under a tree on the premises of the state’s cultural center in Abeokuta.
The association emphasized that despite the refurbishment of the cultural center, which has mainly been utilized for government events and political meetings with little cultural significance, the government has not provided tangible support to the industry and its practitioners over the past four years.
Furthermore, the association highlighted the neglect of the center’s purpose in accordance with Section 6.1.1 (The Arts) of the National Cultural Policy, which mandates the preservation, promotion, and establishment of conducive conditions for creativity by encouraging the establishment of strong national professional associations for artists, authors, dramatists, and filmmakers.
“Our legitimate center is being commercialized as an event center, and the rightful owners, the artists, are being denied access to the premises,” the association stated. “While we understand the need for a levy on commercial hall usage for projects, it is imperative that such matters be discussed with us as stakeholders and partners in the development of arts and culture in our dear state.”
The association called on the executive government of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to take urgent steps to address the challenges facing artists to prevent potential confrontation by entertainment professionals in Ogun State.
