Aguike of Allah-Bama Fame Makes Case For Entertainers

United States-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 said the entertainers, who lay the golden eggs are currently wallowing in abject poverty.

Sharing his experience, while in a WhatsApp chat with our reporter, Aguike, who’s fondly called Allah-Bama, 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’s appalling to see the country’s entertainers wallowing in abject poverty.

Aguike said “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 operate 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 album, but I had to cut short my trip and travel back to New York because my dancers were going through hell. The weather was scorching, and the heatwave, to say the least, made me sick for days. I watched most of my dancers suffering in the sun. I had to shut down production and send them home. “

Aguike was in the country to put finishing touches to his dance project called ‘Wajo’ which happens to be his latest music offering.