The Ogun state Indigenous Entertainment Professionals Forum has sought for the reversal of N20,000 per day charged the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) by the state government before the Association can use the premises of Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, adding that the level is illegal for the real owner of the venue.
In a press release jointly signed by one Mr. Bayo Bankole and Mr. Kehinde Soaga for the Board of Trustee of the forum and made available to newsmen, condemned the action and frown over the negligence of government on the entertainment industry, adding that the centre was only renovated for political gathering.
The forum however, called on the state governor to take action before stakeholders in the industry would seek necessary legal action.
According to the release "The Ogun state Indigenous forum of entertainment has strongly condemned the state government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism over the manner in which Ogun indigenous artists were treated on the use of Cultural Centre, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The abandonment of the sector and subsequent illegal charges on the entertainment practitioners on the cultural centre was vehemently condemned.
"The government is charging N20,000 per day for artists to converge under the tree in the premises of the state's cultural centre, Abeokuta.
"The government has not done any feasible single support to the industry and it's practitioners in the past four years of it existence except for refurbishing the cultural centre which is used only for government events and political meetings tthat is of no cultural value to the state.
"The centre, in line with Section 6.1.1 (The Arts) of National Cultural policy which state that: the state shall preserve, promote and establish conducive conditions for creativity by encouraging the establishment of strong National Professional Association for artists, authors, dramatists, film makers, is jettisoned by the government.
During the commissioning of the centre which was facilitated by Babangida Military Government, it was stated that the centre shall be useful for cultural activities, in the presence of theatre practitioners ably led by Late Hubert Ogunde of blessed memory.
"Our legitimate centre is being commercialized to event centre and artists are now being denied the use of the premises.
"A levy for commercial Hall usage for projects is understandable, and needs to be discussed with us as stakeholders and partners in development of Art and Culture of our dear state.
"Ogun state as it is known for it's creative and artistic excellence in Nigeria, the Industry has been without any tangible support from the present government. A levy of any sorts on the real owners of the venue is not only illegal as act establishing the centre dictates but also preposterous.
"The indigenous artists, entertainers, media professionals forum hereby seek for the reversal of all actions inimical to the development of the sector by this administration.
"We call on our amiable Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to take urgent steps to address the unfriendly gestures entertainment professionals go through in the hands of those put in place to manage the centre in Ogun State.
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