Kanran celebrates 50 years on stage in style

All is set for the celebration of 50 years on the stage of veteran actor, Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Kanran .

It will be between July 10 and 16.

This was disclosed by the actor at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Thursday, that the week long programme will feature a stage play entitled: Oba Makin, workshops, book launch, beauty pageant, awards presentation and the unveiling of 76 acres arts city project, at the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.

The thespian seized the opportunity to call on government to institutionalise welfare packages for artistes, rather than celebrating them in death.

Akinremi lamented that many artistes whom he referred to as agents of change often die in penury, stressing the need for them to be appreciated while alive.

He said: “Artistes who are change agents, mirrors of the nation and tools of information should not be allowed to wallow in poverty and die in penury. Actors and actresses should not be allowed to die before they are appreciated. We are tired of being used by politicians during campaigns and abandoned afterwards.

“In other climes, artistes are like demi-gods and well appreciated, but here, we are left to die and then government will help bury us in multi-million naira caskets. Imagine an artiste who could not afford three-square meal while alive being buried in gold casket! That is unfair. We want to be appreciated while alive, not when we are gone”.

The artiste called on the National Assembly to pass a bill prescribing death sentence as maximum punishment for any one found guilty of piracy, adding that such move would further encourage the creative minds.

Akinremi noted that many artistes in the country had suffered financial losses due to piracy.