US-based Nigerian singer Emma Ike Agu, popularly known as Allah-Bama, who was in the country months back for his ‘Wajo dance project,’ has expressed concern over the plight of Nigerian entertainers. He says the entertainers, who lay the golden eggs are cur- rently wallowing in abject poverty. Sharing his experience in a WhatsApp chat with our reporter, Agu decried the worsening condition of Nigerian entertainers, stressing that “the ones who lay the golden eggs are also left to suffer.
” He said that despite the international acclaim and awards earned by Nigerian musicians, it is sad to see the country’s en- tertainers wallowing in abject poverty. Agu added: “From the songwriters who craft hits for our mainstream and international stars to the backup singers, session musicians, and dancers, a staggering 97% of Nigerian entertainers are struggling to make a living. “The situation is so dire that many of the sessions I worked with while abroad couldn’t afford the transportation fare to see me.
“Studio owners are losing their businesses and are forced to op- erate from their homes with sub-par acoustics and soundproofing. Studio operators have lost a vast majority of their clients. Hikes in fuel price and lack of steady power supply are grinding the industry to a halt.
The fate of the Nigerian recording industry in the next four years, if things do not improve, can be anybody’s guess.” Continuing, he added,:“ I came back home to shoot and release my new al.
