CELEBRITIES' ATTITUDE TO ASSOCIATIONS THAT SAW THEM TO LIMELIGHT: A CASE OF WORLD THEATRE DAY BY ERIACY CONFIDENCE

BY ERIACY CONFIDENCE OBA

World Theatre Day 2019 may have come and gone but one question lingers in the minds of all concerned practitioners following the low  turn out of celebrities in the event. In Nigeria, practitioners who have become famous for their crafts  seem to turn their back on their associations once they are made. They become too busy or pompous  all of sudden to the organizations that moulded them to fame and affluence. For instance, in the Nollywood association known as the Actors Guild of Nigeria AGN, the umbrella body for all actors in Nigeria, stars find it difficult to attend meetings and special events organized by the guild. There seem to be a law prohibiting them from participating in the activities of the organization they once pledged allegiance to. Sometimes they even demand some  fees before they would honour invitations to attend events of the association. It is not so in the western world. In the US for instance, celebrity like Arnold Schwarzenegger championed the welfare of American Actors before he was elected Governor. Our celebrities should not be feeling to big or busy to attend meetings and special events of associations that made them. Without those associations, most of them  would not have become celebrities today.
They should understand that their presence and involvement in the activities of the associations that made them will not only spur up the up and coming acts but will prove their gratitude to their maker.  Associations should not be left for the up and coming acts alone.

When called upon to deliver his speech in the World Theatre Day held on the 27th March 2017,  Emeka Ejezie Rollas, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria AGN pointed out the need for celebrities to always relate with the industries that made them. In the Actors Guild of Nigeria which I am a member, most meetings and end of year parties are without the big names like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade, Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, Mercy Johnson, Jim Iyke,  Patience Ozorkwor,  Ramsey Nouah, Funky Akindele, Ali Nuhu and other celebrities.
In PAN where are the likes of 2baba, Psquare, flavour, Banky W, Don Jazzy, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Idris in meetings? In comedy where are the likes of AY, Gordons, Ali Baba, Basketmouth,  I Go die?  Where are all those super stars in theater, television, dance etc?
And I ask can one be bigger than his father or too busy to visit  his family house?

As a filmmaker, I have watched over time the way celebrities look down on associations and the up and coming acts, particularly in Nollywood and the creative industry in general. It's practically unfair.  They feel attending meetings will equate them with the up and coming practitioners. But it's not true. Doing so will only prove their humility amidst fame and affluence.

In conclusion, celebrities in the movie, Theatre, television, music, modeling, dance, comedy and other related industries must as a matter of urgency return to their root, I Mean their foundation, the association that saw them to limelight and help contribute to the growth and sustainability of the trade.