According to Tuface Idibia, “You are the one that is responsible for your own image. America is not going to start saying good things about Nigeria! Nigeria has to say good things about Nigeria!” No doubt, Nigerians are beginning to realize that they are responsible for their own image and they are beginning to reshape entertainment the way they want it to be. From the foundation when Nollywood was born in the 90s, the movie ‘Living in bondage’ gave birth to the Nigerian film industry. The positive response towards the movie made Nigerians realize that a new resource had just been discovered. Today, Nollywood movies are stocked and littered all over the African continent, the Caribbean, Europe and spreading on a fast pace to other parts of the world. Three years ago, Nollywood was crowned the third biggest film industry, at a time that wasn’t anticipated. They are telling and showing stories other movie industries tagged as ‘unmarketable.’ Stories and lifestyles of the African people, the cultures and traditions of Africans that are irresistible, they have stand out to tell their stories.
The great Fela Kuti once said, ‘music is a weapon!’ Not just a weapon in fighting the corrupt and unstable politically crisis affecting most African nations, but also a weapon in creating employment, happiness and hope. No doubt, Nigeria is the entertainment hub of Africa. The year 2009 has ended with optimistic signs of a promising future of entertainment in Africa. The 2nd edition of MTV Africa award held in Kenya was another successful celebration of African music. The Nigerian music industry was one of the elements that gave birth to the unique award and many other successful music awards present in the continent. Nigerian Tu-Face Idibia made music history by becoming the first artist to win the Best African Act award at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon. Nigerian music is almost certainly the chief selling across Africa, with the likes of Kennis Music, Tuface Idibia, Storm Records, Naeto C, M.I, Cobhams, Nneka, Banky W, Darey, Asa, D’Banj, MO’Hits family, P-Square, Olu Maintain and many others. The Legends of Nigerian music which some of them are still in the scene doing what they know best would always be remembered even by the upcoming African musicians. The legendry founders which includes, Fela and Femi Kuti, Lagbaja, Sade, Dr. Alban, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade, and a few others are still a selling point today. The show ‘FELA!’ plays on Broadway in New York City and is being sponsored by Shawn 'JAY-Z' and Will & Jada Smith.
Have you ever wondered why almost every American musician, American products, China products, Britain, Russia, and other markets want to create Nigeria as a selling point? The answer is obvious that it is an upcoming international market. In the past years, the international media had misrepresented the Nigerian image globally. The music and movies are here to reshape and reconstruct the Nigerian image. Invest in Nigeria! The time has come.
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