CLASSIC EVENTS THAT SHAPED FILM, MUSIC IN 2013

In few days time, the year 2013 will round off and the year 2014 will be ushered in. However, the year 2013 has been one of mixed blessing for entertainment.

It is a year that saw telecommunications giant, GLOBACOM pumping millions of naira on musicians by making them ambassadors of the brand. There were also some remarkable musical releases like Top of the World by Dbanj and Eminado by Tiwa Savage.

However the major event of the year was the decision by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) acting in conjunction with the Independent Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (IBAN) to ban over 50 musicians, some of the best in the country from airplay for demanding royalties for use of music. On the international scene, Afrobeat crooner, Femi Anikulapo Kuti was nominated for the forth time in 10 years for World Music at the 56th Annual Grammy Award. Some of the awards in the year were hosted by COSON and Kennis Music.

The year was however rounded up with the distribution of N50 million, being royalties to musicians in Nigeria by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON). On the flip side is the emergence of nudity in Nigeria’s music and sexually suggestive dance steps and music devoid of edifying lyrics and the death of Susan Filani alias Goldie and Father U-turn.

In the film sector, the major development was the N3 billion film intervention fund donated by President Goodluck Jonathan and the rebirth of the Nollywood film star, Jim Iyke after his encounter with Pastor TB Joshua of Synagogue. Although a number of ailments were recorded, some of the artistes went though surgeries and came out hale and hearty. Among whom is the star actress, Ngozi Nwosu in Amaka Igwe’s Fuji House of Commotion and Chairman Board of Trustees, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Prince Ifeanyi Dike.

It was a year that also witnessed movement of actors between major brands in telecommunications, with Hafiz Oyetoro alias Saka leading others with his movement from Etisalat to MTN.

Stakeholders in the film industry marked 20 years of Nollywood, while Multichoice marked 20 years of operation in Nigeria. On the bad side is news of deaths that plagued the industry. The roll call include Justus Esiri, and the former Secretary AGN, Lagos State, Mr. Lugard Onoyemu who died while jugging in preparation for a football match between AGN and Sun Newspapers at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Besides, it was a year of polarisation of AGN, Lagos State with election supervised by AGN President, Mrs. Fiberesima Ibinabo producing two chairmen, Victor Osuagwu and Don Pedro Aganbi.

It was a year characterised by lackadaisical approach to film censorship, classification and enforcement with filmmakers gaining the upper hand. The consequence was the emergence of death threats, alleged assassination, blackmail, dumping of x-rated films and poorly produced films into the market. Besides, there was double standard with marketers releasing one story with different titles.