Entertainers have a role to play in politics —Sri George

WRITER and transformational speaker, Babatunde George Olubiyo, popularly known as Sri George, says Nigerian entertainers need to go beyond campaigning for politicians to enlighten people about the political process.

The former executive assistant to the late PMAN President, Bolaji Rosiji, said entertainers who are genuflecting and campaigning for candidates are unaware of their power and should stop.

Rather than campaigning for politicians, they can enlighten people to make informed choices, especially as politics has become an all-comers affair.

“Entertainers, most of the time, are not aware of their power, their influence. The entertainment sector has changed over time, especially in the last half-decade. Several entertainers have become financially independent, so they don’t have to campaign for any politician to become rich. There are more digital platforms, shows and endorsements. So, as an entertainer, you don’t need politicians’ money to run your life,” George, who is celebrating his birthday next month, began in an interview.

“Entertainers can help encourage people to engage in politics because entertainment plays a major role. The only thing working in Nigeria right now is our entertainment industry. That’s what has put us on the world map. That’s the reason people talk about Nigeria, so I believe that entertainers can encourage individuals to look towards that direction; that politics plays a major role.”

Three years ago, George described the Nigerian entertainment industry as a work in progress. But considering the achievements of the likes of Burna Boy, WizKid and the Kuti and the global acclaim of Nigerian musicians, does he still hold that view.

The writer who disclosed that he is becoming involved in politics but not as a contestant replied this way: “I believe it’s still a work in progress because all you are seeing are individual efforts.   However, there has been support from businesses. There are now brands in the country that believe in Nigerian entertainers. They no longer bring the likes of 50 Cents and others to dominate our space. If you look at what we make,  about one billion-plus. That’s small money compared to Hollywood, so we are still a work in progress. It’s personal efforts for a lot of entertainers. There’s no organisation; record labels are the ones doing the spending and all of that. So, we are still a work in progress.

“First, we must acknowledge that never in history have we had more entertainers like we have today; versatile entertainers. We would no longer be a work in progress when there are entertainment loans that favour the entertainment industry—that and security. Sometimes, filmmakers want to shoot movies, but tout comes and disturb them. Things should be better coordinated; hence this is why it’s still a work in progress.”

George, who began an outreach several years ago to mentor secondary school students, disclosed it’s ongoing. This year’s edition would be grander as part of his birthday celebration.

“It’s going to be on a grand scale, mainly in Ibadan and then in Lagos and Edo States. I do that program to let students know we live in a world of opportunities;  they can become comedians, skit makers, many things. In Nigeria, there is this idea that we must change; it’s not true that someone cannot legally make money. We all know that there are people who make money legally, and that’s the narrative we are selling to the young ones. There’s a failure of leadership, so we must step into the gaps for the young ones. If someone can make a decent living from what they have learnt from me, we have succeeded. This year’s outreach would have wrapped up by March end.”

George also spoke about his late boss, Rosiji and the vacuum he left. “He was my father and mentor. If I didn’t have a relationship with him, I wouldn’t be the way I am. I’m still trying to process the fact that he left untimely. He was a genius and very free with me. He wanted me to be a better person, and I miss him so much. He was a perfect soul, a special person.”