Still On The Matter: Showbiz Peops & Politics

By Efe Omorogbe

It’s got to be one of the greatest gifts of all – a platform to write and be READ. It’s like holding a public office and wielding authority. One has a chance to make things happen and really affect lives. Often times though, for different reasons, we don’t really quite hit the mark. But we’ve got to keep pushing people. It’s the only way to go. Living is the never-ending process of trying to make everything better. For a while now, we’ve been neck-deep in music industry politics.

Since 2005 we’ve been worried sick about the long-term effects of our packaging style, pricing regimes, copyright and collective management issues and the general operational framework that drives the industry. And we’ve rolled up our sleeves and gotten right into the thick of it. We have played our part in the struggle to fix these problems and strengthen existing structures to bring about a better industry. How well have we done in this pursuit? Open to conjecture! Then 2009-2010 came and it seemed inevitable that beyond industry boundaries, we’ll get involved in the politics of the larger society.

Let me establish clearly, I used to really hate politics – and loathe politicians. Particularly in Naija, for obvious reasons. Then I grew up! Plain and simple. Except you live and work alone on an island in Mars, you’ll inevitably have to deal with the politics of organization of public life and distribution of resources. I have a few friends and colleagues who held on to their avowed position of indifference – and even though I don’t agree with the ‘sanctity’ of their argument, I do respect a man’s right to CHOOSE to stand aloof.  And to those who remain on the fence. I eagerly await a re-assessment of your argument and consequently, a shift in position. Until you do that, you will just have to make do and live with the not-so-great results of the decisions and efforts of fellow industry practitioners or citizens whose pedigree and intentions do not impress you much.

Now for those of us who got involved, particularly with the last elections at federal and state levels, we badly NEED to sustain the tempo and leverage on our participation in the electioneering process. We organized the Vote or Vote campaign and worked closely with IRI to encourage the positive involvement of youths in the political process. Some clients of ours at Now Muzik appeared and performed in support of various candidates so by extension, we were involved. A good number of friends and colleagues did same – and it’s all good. As long as we don’t turn a blind eye and walk away in the aftermath of the elections. How the system functions is everybody’s business. I generate my own electricity, produce my own water and more but I don’t own my own roads or police force. December 5, 2011, I joined a long list of colleagues who have been robbed at gun point and dispossessed of cash and property worth quite a bit – if you’re neither Dangote nor Tinubu. I was lucky I survived the ordeal. Many didn’t.  The ills of our society afflict us all, in one way or the other, at one time or another.

And guys, we have a responsibility to apply ourselves to fixing it. Quit moaning and treating yourselves as victims of this system. We stopped being hapless victims once we secured access to the rulers of the land. The real victims of the system are the guys who gather around the vendor’s stand every morning, as honourable members of the free-readers’ association of Naija, marveling at the billions being mentioned and wondering why they remain hungry and deprived. The victims are the multitude of idle youths unsure when they will find gainful employment, earn a living and come into their own. The real victims are the guys who nurture neither dream nor desire to be in the same room with President Goodluck Jonathan because that’s farther than far-fetched. They just want to be sure of the next meal.

We have to quit criticizing the actions, bemoaning the inaction of government on the daily. There has to be more to our involvement than professional fees and ego massage. What’s the point in being close to a governor during a campaign year and not being able to deploy that access to promote the interest of your community or industry the next? And if ya’ll find out that you’ve been ‘used and dumped’, fine! Beat a retreat, re-work your strategy and get yours. As they say ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice… ‘ . But then, what’s the place of shame in our industry when a politician dangles the carrot?