The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed was booed while
delivering a speech at the just concluded All Africa Music Awards,
AFRIMA.
The event took place at the prestigious Eko Convention Center in
Victoria Island Lagos.
As soon as Lai Mohammed was invited to deliver his speech on the
podium, a section of the crowd mostly made up of youths with regular
tickets started booing and making catcalls.
The loudness of their booing almost drowned the voice of the minister
thereby rendering his speech inaudible.
Some of those booing the minister could be heard saying derogatory and
disrespectful words like “go and sit down”, “liar”, “na lie”.
The seemingly infuriated minister was said to have left the event
immediately after reading his speech. He was escorted by AFRIMA
officials to the car park where his entourage was waiting.
During his speech, Alhaji Mohammed, disclosed that the Federal
Government intends to inject N50 billion into the creative industry in
an effort to boost the sector.
He added that the government was keen on commercialising the industry
in 2020, in order to create jobs and reduce crime.
“As we move into 2020, the successful commercialization of the
creative industry is our number one priority because it will create
jobs.
“It will also reduce crime, be a major source of foreign exchange and
thereby reduce our dependence on oil.
“We in government are tackling all impediments in the industry.
“We are making cheaper and longer terms finance available for the
industry, especially for infrastructure like concert halls across the
city in the federation.
“The issues that have plagued the country have now being put on the
front burner by the Attorney-General.
“There will be no more excuses; the use of music must be paid for.
“The other big issue is the commercialisation of the digital economy.
Data must be cheaper and owners of content must make their money from
the use of their works”, the minister said in his speech.
Meanwhile, the trio of Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tuface were among the big
winners from Nigeria on the night.
Tuface won the award for Best African Artiste in African contemporary
while Burna Boy, whose African Giant album was recently nominated for
the Grammy Awards, clinched the award for Best Male Artiste (West
Africa) and Artiste of the Year.
Wizkid’s “Fever”, won the Song of the Year award as Tiwa Savage
emerged winner of the Best Female Artiste in West Africa.
Popular Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Spinal, also took home the Best
African DJ award.
