Imo State artistes will soon have a unique identification card that will be used for a lot of things according to the Special Adviser on Entertainment to Imo State Governor, Hon. Bobby Michaels.
The revelation was made on Tuesday in a meeting with Imo artistes, as the newly appointed head of Imo entertainment work towards harmonizing the industry in Imo State.
Hon. Bobby Michaels revealed that the Identity Card which will have a unique identity number for every artiste will go a long way in differentiating between real entertainers and impostors.
Hon. Michaels who introduced the scheme said it will usher in a new era of entertainment where entertainment can be easily identified based on what they do and it will also be easy for them to access certain privileges within and outside the State.
United Artistes Of Imo State
A name, United Artistes of Imo State was proposed as the umbrella body for the issuance of the identity card as well as one that will house all entertainers in Imo State irrespective of their genre.
“The association will be for everyone, and the identity card will help us know everyone who is in the entertainment business in Imo State.”
“United Artistes of Imo State will be a platform for everyone, helping in both welfare and human capital development as it concerns artistes”
“It is the vision and desire of Governor Hope Uzodinma who appointed me to change the face of entertainment as well as improve the wellbeing of entertainers in Imo state and that is what we are doing so far” Hon. Michaels said while speaking to www.otowngist.com.
It’s for the best – Hon. Agogbuo
Also at the meeting, Hon. Agogbuo, the SSA on Entertainment to Imo State Governor, said the scheme and concept of United Artistes of Imo State have been x-rayed and will be of optimum benefit to Imo entertainers when it kicks off.
He cited police harassment, corporate identification as well as being part of every government programme as some of the benefits, calling on artistes to support the project as they work towards changing the face of entertainment in Imo State.
Hon. Agogbuo further stated that they are working towards giving Imo entertainment a professional face, something it has never had and one that will surely change the way Imo State is seen in the area of entertainment.
Health Insurance Scheme and other benefits
As earlier proposed in his first meeting with Imo artistes, Hon. Bobby Michaels said he will set up a health insurance scheme for Imo artistes as part of the plans of the state government for them.
Hon. Bobby Michaels who then spoke further to www.otowngist.com said the unique ID card and number under the United Artistes of Imo State, will have biometric features, adding that the unique identification number will correlate with the policy number of every artiste in the insurance scheme.
He noted that in the past, artistes have been seen begging for aid when they are sick, but Gov, Hope Uzodinma is working towards eradicating that for those in Imo State.
“Very soon, Imo State will be the yardstick for the best place to be an entertainer in Nigeria and this is just one of the things we want to bring in here”
“I have seen the world and what makes every industry good. I have learnt and practiced in many countries and we are here to change the narrative in terms of infrastructure, skills, education and every possible way that will change the lives of artistes in the state”, he said.
