Former Chief Comedian of Imo State and the Proprietor of Talkingson International Hon. Uche Ogbuagu has decried non-patronage of Imo-based artistes by Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Speaking when some members of Nigeria Film Industry paid him a visit in his office at Owerri, Hon. Ogbuagu reiterated that the governor has neglected the abundant talents in the entertainment industry in the state, preferring to patronize entertainers outside the state.
Ogbuagu maintained that he rendered a diligent service to the state throughout his stay as a government appointee, but regretted that throughout this period, no subvention was given to his bureau and that eight members of his staff were given stipends from his meager salary.
He further revealed that the state government did not give him any form of help throughout the time his mother was sick and was taken to India where she died; neither did the administration help him financially throughout the burial ceremony.
He enumerated his achievements while in govt to include organizing the first ever Imo State entertainment summit, first ever organized Imo Alive, creation of Imo Bongo Square, the Imo Artistes Insurance Scheme, the co-hosting of Nigeria Diva, the unification of all diverse associations of Nigeria film practitioners and other genres of comedy, Imo show of fame, held in Manchester, California, Texas and the UK.
He also gave account where he took about eight music stars from the state to the United States of America and UK.
Reacting on behalf of other Nollywood stars, Jim Lawson thanked the former chief comedian of the state and appealed to him to assist them tackle the problem currently facing the Nigeria industry which is lack of better channels of distribution for their finished work.
They decried the situation where almost all their finished works are being pirated, causing many of them to be impoverished.
