"As long as pirates keep selling DVDs on the street, we will keep struggling"

chibumga izuzu

March 11, 2015 12:07 PM

According to Ali Baba, until the scourge of piracy is sorted, most entertainers will toil in vain. Read comedian's write up on Piracy.

Popular comedian, Ali Baba, took to his Instagram page to share his thoughts on Piracy in Nigeria.

It is no news that piracy is a big problem in the Nollywood film industry, the most recent example is the and AY Makun's '30 Days in Atalanta'.

According to Ali Baba, even if Goodluck Jonathan gives they will still be broke. He went on to state that sorting the issue of piracy is the only way the industry can move forward.

"Some years back, entertainers were invited to the Eko Hotels to meet President GEJ. The crux of the meeting was for him to jaw jaw with the entertainment industry to thank them for their support and to ask that they say what and how the industry can be helped to achieve its goals in the different sectors that formed the whole industry.

The very first set of speakers, stood up to say funding was the number one problem. All other speakers were to toe the same line. I got the chance to speak and I told Mr President that, if he gives 3 BILLION NAIRA to each sector of entertainment, we will still be broke, unless the scourge of Piracy is sorted.

I was shouted down by some stakeholders and people who I expected to know the truth. They even asked if I am a movie maker.

Thank God for Amaka Igwe of blessed memory, who got the microphone after 2 more Egbons objected to my position. Amaka Igwe, seconded my motion, and argued that if the money is released, received and used, how will pirates be tackled?

Because all the pirate needs is one copy! And she said, rather than give the industry such funds, the environment should be provided for us to be creative and sell the products of our creativity. Piracy is our doom she added.

Today, some have accessed the funds, and the pirates are even more emboldened. You may want to ask AY how his “30 Days In Atlanta” is making some good money for some pirates.

I saw one of the “Egbons” who told me to keep quiet that night, and I asked him how his film was doing, and he said, “Awon Pirates ti ba oja JE.” (Translation: I agree, I am a very stupid and myopic idiot).

I further asked him about the distribution network that he said they (movie makers) knew how to handle, to beat the Pirates… “Awon people yen baaaad GAN” (translation: I’m shortsighted and dumb).

I have said it before and again, as long as pirates can keep selling DVDs on the street, we will keep struggling! If our artistes put the kind of energy we put in backing politicians, to push for our piracy laws, the era of artistes getting Platinum, Diamond, Gold discs for records sold will return.

Until then, except for a few, we toil in vain!"

chibumga izuzu