Nigerian entertainers want Osinbajo to sack Lai Mohammed

Coalition of Nigeria Entertainers has asked Acting Presiden Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed with immediate effect.

The group further called on the minster to within seven days withdraw his statement that programmes for Nigerians must be produced in Nigeria.

First, Mohammed was quoted as saying that music videos and film producers will stop producing abroad because films produced outside Nigeria will be banned.

But clarifying himself on the issue, Mohammed on Wednesday said, “I didn’t say that henceforth, all music videos and films will be produced in Nigeria, or that the production of music videos or films outside Nigeria will be banned.

“All I said was that if a programme is designated as a Nigerian (local) content programme, we will amend the Code to ensure that it is produced in Nigeria. On that, there is no going back.”

The Minister recalled how his office was bombarded with calls from concerned Nigerians when the last edition of the ”Big Brother Naija” was produced in South Africa, saying he subsequently directed the National Broadcasting Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversy.

Mohammed added that he was not appointed a minister to grow other countries’ economy while Nigeria’s own suffers.

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But in a statement released on Friday by the president CNE, Mr. Kenule Nwiya, he said that Mohammed should stop making statements that could negatively affect the industry and cause further crisis for the country.

He said, “We the Coalition of Nigeria entertainers wish to inform the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that he should sack Lai Mohammed with immediate effect if the statement against Nigeria Entertainers is not withdrawn in less than 7days.

“We shall lead a nationwide protest to caution the government on the unhealthy decision which will undermine the international influence of Nigerian Music and Movie Content if the statement is not withdrawn and we also want the misfit Minister of Information to stop saying things that will cause crisis in our beloved country.”

 

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