Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Sanwo-Olu Calls for Global Standards in Regulatlng Creative Digital Contents
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says there should be global standards to regulate digital contents in the country.
Sanwo-Olu stated this as a guest at the ongoing Third Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference (NDCRC) organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by Mrs Oloruntoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
said that Lagos State had become a hub for creativity, talent, and innovation, attracting filmmakers from all corners of the globe.“The vibrant Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, has not only captivated local audiences but has also gained international recognition, solidifying its position as the second-largest film industry in the world.
“The growth of the film industry in Lagos State has not only brought immense cultural and entertainment value but has also contributed significantly to our economy.
“It has created numerous job opportunities, both directly and indirectly, for actors, producers, directors, technicians, and many others involved in the filmmaking process.
“Furthermore, it has boosted tourism, as visitors from far and wide are drawn to our state to experience the magic and diversity portrayed on the big screen.
“However, as we revel in our achievements, we must also address a pressing concern – the need for global standards to regulate digital content.
“In this age of digitalisation, where content can be easily accessed and shared across borders, it is crucial that we establish guidelines that ensure the quality, safety, and ethical standards of digital media,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor noted that the absence of global standards posed several challenges, adding that it had become challenging to protect the intellectual property rights of the nation’s filmmakers.
According to him, without proper regulations, practitioners’ work can be infringed upon, leading to financial losses and discouragement of creative talents.
“Additionally, the absence of standards may result in the proliferation of pirated and low-quality content, which not only harms the reputation of our industry but also affects the revenue streams of our filmmakers.
“Furthermore, the lack of global standards for regulating digital content raises concerns about the impact on our cultural values and societal norms.
“As content travels across borders, it is essential to ensure that it respects the diversity and sensitivities of different cultures.
“The absence of guidelines can potentially lead to the spread of content that may be offensive, inappropriate, or harmful to certain communities,” he said.
According to him, to address these concerns, it has become imperative for all stakeholders to work together, not only at the state or national level but also on an international scale.
“We should collaborate with fellow nations, industry experts, and regulatory bodies to establish a framework that promotes responsible content creation, distribution, and consumption.
“This framework should encompass guidelines for intellectual property protection, content quality standards, age restrictions, and cultural sensitivity.
“It should also include mechanisms for effective enforcement and cooperation among nations to combat piracy and copyright infringement.”
Sanwo-Olu, however, promised to support the growth of the nation’s film industry.
He urged the sector to uphold the highest standards of creativity, ethics, and cultural sensitivity.
He said: “I call upon all stakeholders – filmmakers, industry associations, regulatory bodies, and international partners to join hands with us in shaping global standards for regulating digital content.
“Together, let us protect the intellectual property of our filmmakers, promote high-quality content, and preserve the cultural fabric of our society.
“By doing so, we can pave the way for a thriving and globally respected film industry that not only entertains but also inspires and unites people from all walks of life.”
In his goodwill message, Malam Lanre Issa- Onilu, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said that the creative industry was central to the idea of orientating Nigerians on true value system.
Onilu said, “I can’t think of any other influencer than this industry.
“I consider the people in this industry as my primary stakeholders, and without them, we cannot achieve the objectives on which NOA was set up.
“We must mould the mindset of our people in this country. The people in this industry must be mindful of Nigeria’s value system in whatever script and content to tell the best story about the country.”
Also speaking, Prof. Abba Tijani, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, emphasised that the creative industry remained at the foremost seat in building the nation’s cultural identity.
“We have so much to say about our culture and identity because these identity reflect in our arts, culture, tradition, value system. We must visit museums and embrace our artifacts,” Tijani said.
Commenting, Prof. Sunday Ododo, Gen. Manager, National Theatre, urged the stakeholders to create contents that would create a Nigeria everyone would be proud of.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had in attendance several veterans in the creative and film industry. (NAN)
Grammy-winning Nigerian Singer Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has hinted the release of a new album.The “Twice As Tall” crooner disclosed this in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.He wrote: “Album dropping 12AM.”According to the Afrobeat superstar, the new album will be dropping on July 30.
The announcement came after his recent celebration of the fifth anniversary of his Grammy nominated 2019 album “African Giant”,which he marked with a concert at the kolo Camden, United Kingdom. The multiple award-winning artiste has continued to make headlines for being atthe forefront of exporting Nigerian music with his award-winning albums and historic sold-out concertsIn 2019, he won the Best International Act at the BET Awards, and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist.He also released his fourth studio album, African Giant, which went on to win Album of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards.The album was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards and he clinched the African Artistof the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards.Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, ‘Twice as Tall’, in August 2020, which fetched him the Best World Music Album atthe 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.His sixth studio album Love Damini was released in 2022 and became the highest debut of a Nigerian album on the Billboard200 chart.Love Damini also became the highest-charting African album in France, the Netherlands and the UK.In October of same year, Burna Boy was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic plaque for his achievementsin music.In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him number 197 on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time and he won his fourthBest International Act at the BET Awards in 2023, among others.He made history again when his his 7th album, ‘I Told Them’ released in October 2023, earned him nominationsfor the 2024 Grammys, which became his fourth consecutive album to be nominated for the Grammys.(NAN)
The news of Rema’s record-breaking performance fee at Anant Ambani’s wedding has sent shockwaves across social media, with many users hailing music as a lucrative career path.
The Nigerian Afrobeats sensation reportedly pocketed a whopping N4.5 billion (three million dollars) for performing just one of hit songs, ‘Calm Down’, at the high-profile event, leaving many in awe.
Rema performed at the wedding of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, and daughter of pharma tycoons, Viren and Shaila Merchant, Radhika Merchant.
The event held on Friday at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Centre (BKC) in Mumbai.
Canadian singer, Justin Bieber, was also paid 10 million dollars for his performance at the event, according to reports.
Pop star, Rihanna, also performed at the event for an undisclosed fee.
Social media platforms are buzzing with excitement as aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts alike are drawing inspiration from Rema’s achievement.
The news has also sparked a renewed interest in the music industry, with many youths seeing Rema’s success as a motivation to pursue their own careers.
@Solomon_King says on X, “Hold up, let us get this straight, Rema just bagged a whopping N4.5 billion ($3 million) for singing one song at some rich kid’s wedding?!
“One song? We’re talking about a sum that could solve Nigeria’s economic problems, okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point.
“Rema just made more money than I’ll see in a lifetime and I’m still struggling to pay my rent.
“I need to start singing.”
@OlamideAngel said, “I’m quitting my job to become a musician, or maybe just a wedding singer.
“We’re dying over here! Meanwhile, Rema’s just over here living his best life and we’re not hating. In fact, we’re low-key inspired to step up our music game.
“On a more serious note, this achievement is a testament to Rema’s hard work and talent. We’re proud to see African artistes making waves and getting the recognition they deserve.”
@Perryblack, an X user, said, “Back then y’all mocked Rema for sounding “Indian” when he broke out. Now he was paid $3m to perform a song at Anant-Radhika’s wedding in India.
“Trust your music, Trust the process. Maybe I will go with Portable that said music money is bigger and better than football money.
“We thought Rema was goofing when he said he’s the future. He said he’s the next wizkid but we are not taking him seriously. Big ups boy.”
According to @blacktribemusic, “ Only this Rema’s song alone has made him one of the biggest artistes in Africa. Bigger than the top guys una dey reason self.
“Rema is too big to be underrated by Nigerians, he’s just 22 but making more money.
“Another day to remind y’all that music money is longer than football own.”
On the contrary, @cassandra mentioned that the billionaire should have used the money to feed all the poor Indian citizens.
“That country dey suffer, why can’t he donate this money to the poor. Isn’t India one of the poorest countries in the world?
“I swear the billionaires don’t think of the poor chaii!
“Just $1k is enough for like 1 million people and
they will appreciate it and pray for you, it is more than all this show off,” she said.
Also, @UcheMark said, “They all belong to the same cult. Even from the beginning of Rema’s career, we can already recognise his affiliation with India (voodoo).
“Also, his recent use of devilish symbols and colours is enough evidence. Birds of a feather.”
@chocolatechic said, “I will never be poor.” (NAN)
Female talking drummer, Aralola Olumuyiwa, popularly known as “Ara”, says Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, taught her humility.
Ara said this in an interview on Friday in Lagos while commending President Bola Tinubu for renaming the National Arts Theatre as Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
The drummer urged the Federal Government to continue to honour thespians while alive.
“This development is highly welcome, the first black nobel laureate we have, honestly, he deserves more.
“He is 90, we don’t know how long we are going to have him here. I am very proud of him and his achievements. We should make it a habit to always honour our thespians.
“2007, my first encounter with Prof. Soyinka, I attended an event organised in his honour, so, I was invited as one of the artistes to perform, after the event, he invited me to his house where he asked me “Why the talking drum”?
“Also, during my 40th birthday years ago, he sent goodwill messages to me, which meant a lot to me.
“I learnt humility from Prof. Soyinka, he does not allow anyone carry his bag, I was only opportune to carry his bag once, that was after dragging it from him. This speaks volumes to me,” she said.
Ara described Soyinka as a great respecter and lover of African culture, urging the younger generation to emulate such from him.
“Another virtue people should emulate from Soyinka is that he is a real and genuine individual, so, I challenge everyone, dare to be you, dare to be different, don’t be anybody,” she said. (NAN)
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