On Sunday, the social media went agog over the N8,000,000 (Eight Million Naira) cash gift given to Nollywood Actor, Clems Ohameze by Prophet Jeremiah Omoto. I wasn’t touched because of the Prophet’s gesture because over time I have noticed that rendering such assistance has become part of Prophet Omoto’s Ministry. I was rather touched, worried because of our reward system as a Country and even as a people. Why do we tend to forget our celebrities at their downtimes?
I have constantly held the opinion that the Nigerian entertainment industry is as of today the only sector that every Nigerian whether home or abroad can truly identify with and be proud of. Some days ago, I watched with so much excitement and pride as Wizkid practically shut down the O2 Arena, London with his show. Our musicians, Actors, and comedians are taking over the entire world with their craft yet I have noticed with dismay how Nigeria and Nigerians abandoned them in their low moments.
According to a report on Premium Times last year, Clems was on his way to a movie location on Abak road when he ran into hoodlums. He initially thought they were #EndSARS protesters. They took N650,000 from him. They took all his phones and slashed his hand with a machete.
One question that I have continued to ask myself is why his home state and the Akwa Ibom State Government did when they discovered that his condition deteriorated to the level it is at the moment. Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t. This cannot be the best way to treat people who spend all their life putting smiles even when there is nothing to smile about on our faces in this Country. It is not the best way to treat people who are using their God-given craft and talent to put us on the world map.
Nollywood Actors, Musicians, and Comedians especially the ones that are gradually caught up by nature in terms of old age deserve some kind of special allowances from the government as a way of appreciating their gifting and talent. Like retired government functionaries, they also deserve to be appreciated for serving their Country meritoriously.
As a people, rallying support for them at such a critical time is also important. Every day I see his junior colleagues displaying wealth on Social Media. If a female actress is not buying a house, his male counterpart is buying a dream car yet they abandon people who laid the foundation of the fame and affluence they are enjoying today.
Look at the pictures below and think of what would make a man that is pursuing his 70 cries so profusely on Camera.
Imagine what could be running through his head seeing a man he probably didn’t expect was the one that was going to come to his aide. Where are the over 2 million Nigerians he has spent all his life entertaining in videos? I think we need a proper reward system in Nigeria.
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