The Imo State government under Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha has once again been advised to stop the importation of musicians from outside to take part in events organized by it but rather intensify effort to reach out to the members of Performing Musicians and Employers Associan of Nigeria, PMAN to give them a sense of belonging. This advice was given by Mr. Uzor Ogan, the sole administrator of PMAN, Imo State Chapter weekend when he paid a solidarity visit to Nigeria Newspoint corporate office with two of his colleagues, Messrs Tonneil Avo and Shanka Okoli.
The sole admin lamented a situation where musicians from outside the state are hired by the state government and paid huge sums of the state fund without any plan for the majority of highly talented musicians in the state who are able to handle the events.
Describing the act as bordering on economic flight, he moaned that PMAN members need to be given adequate recognition by the Culture and Tourism ministry in the state. Ogan condemned the insinuation that there are no talented musicians in the state to take part in the various activities of the state government where their services are needed, adding, we have numerous musicians, highly qualified. It is wrong, he maintained to accord respect and regard to musicians who cannot perform better than Imo indigenes as musicians into state events with out identifying with home based musicians who are better talented, “this is wasting of resources by our Governor”, he averred.
The sole administrator recognized the fact that there had been a lacuna since the death of the last chairman, late Sam Villa but informed that he has recently been appointed the sole administrator of Imo PMAN. Encouraging all musicians in the state to identify with PMAN, he revealed that plans are on the reposition the association in the state for the progress and general welfare of musicians here. Reacting to a report on the cover of Midweek Nigerian Newspoint of December 12-13, 2012, he cautioned on impostors to stop usurping the functions of the leadership of PMAN in the state to avoid unpleasant experiences.
Ogan advised who ever is interested to join PMAN and lambasted the organizers of the said patrons, nite where some Imo dignitaries/personalities were given awards, saying it was not endorsed by his office and the organization refused to be identified in the said report. Speaking, Mr. Tonniel Avo said the essence of stopping impostors is to sanitize the activities of the association and ensure that all musicians work under one umbrella in the state.
The gospel musician averred that there is need for budding musicians, many of who are being produced in their hundreds to be given hope by being identified by the government.
He noted that the music industry in Imo state is presently the highest employer of labour and should be encouraged.
credit: Nigeeia Newspoint
