25th February, 2011
In recent times, the nation’s entertainment industry, especially in the Southwest, embraced a disturbing trend as artistes and promoters have turned funerals, birthdays and house warming ceremonies to business venture by engaging in the sale of Ankara, a local fabric and T-shirts, using it as gate pass to venues of those events instead of normal purchase of tickets.
Some stakeholders have condemned the trend, arguing that it is because the industry is saturated with mediocres, while others describe it as primitive and a demonstration of backwardness.
Another source also disclosed that the trend exploits unsuspecting fans and fun-lovers, noting that the cost is on the high side compared to how much the fabrics are sold ordinarily.
Our checks revealed that top acts such as Waheed Ariyo, Saheed Osupa and Gbenga Adewusi (Bayowa) lead the list of high ranking musicians involved in the textile business.
Already, Saheed Osupa and Alhaji Waheed Ariyo, a front line Islamic singer, have respectively chosen customised Ankara for house warming and birthday celebrations coming up in March.
— Kayode Aponmade