Buhari must support Nollywood – Emeka Ike

Emeka Ike

Celebrated actor, Emeka Ike, shares his views about the 2015 elections with Anna Okon

What is your impression of the outcome of the presidential elections?

I want to salute all Nigerians for their peaceful conduct during the election and for respecting the rule of law. Let me also salute Mr. President for accepting the outcome of the election and for calling and congratulating his opponent. That is a sign of maturity and it is a great act that must be commended. And lastly I want to join Mr. President in congratulating the President-Elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

Sincerely, this election was not about Jonathan or Buhari; it was about Nigeria and Nigerians having the opportunity to decide their affairs. It’s about understanding that peace and political stability are preconditions for so-economic development of our nation.

Who did you support?

Everybody should be loyal to Nigeria and loyal to other people in order to move society forward.

What do you make of the fact that some artistes openly showed loyalty to PDP and APC?

There is actually no rule about who people should support or not. What is important is that wherever anybody finds himself as a citizen of this country, he should endeavour to act within the confines of the rule of law and of good conscience.

With the exit of President Jonathan, what do you think will happen to Nollywood as he is said to be a great supporter of the film industry?

Nollywood is an integral part of this society. Whoever becomes the President at any time has the responsibility to ensure the growth and ultimate wellbeing of the industry.

President Jonathan has played his part. The next government is expected to continue from where he stopped. Government is a continuum, there is no vacuum. Although there may be change of government, it does not diminish the role and duty of government towards any sector.

Do you expect Gen. Buhari to show the same support?

Consistently, we all have great expectations about any government in power. But you cannot determine the approach a government will adopt in dealing with the same issue. But definitely we expect the government of Gen. Buhari to show great support for Nollywood. It is in the best interest of this nation to support the industry to grow, to create jobs, improve quality and productivity and project a good image of our society.

In what ways should the Federal Government continue to do this?

First, we must acknowledge that we have an industry that has made a name for itself. Although there are challenges, they are not insurmountable. But the fundamental thing is to develop the appropriate institutional framework that is unique to our environment, that will encourage a huge leap, guarantee quality, improve patronage, subdue piracy of all kinds, encourage private investment and guarantee return on investment.

It is not just important to pump in money, appropriate utilisation of it is what will guarantee benefit. And ‘benefit’ here may be described as the greatest good for the greatest number of persons. Not a situation where a few number of popular faces who have access to government hijacks whatever is meant for the industry, while the greatest number of persons who are critical stakeholders are sidelined, either because they are not popular or because they don’t know people in government.

Investment and support should be geared towards ensuring self sustainability, by creating the enabling environment that allows for best performances in terms of skills, hard work, investment and managerial ingenuity. And government must ensure that rules of engagement across the industry are maintained, because, as they say, a society governed by law is better than a society governed by men.