23rd December, 2011
Ayankojo Ayanwola and Oguntunde Babatunde, the governor and deputy governor of Lagos State chapter of Association of Professional Drummers of Nigeria (APDON) respectively, have condemned musicians over the maltreatment being meted on their members.
Speaking with P.M. Entertainment, they lamented the remuneration given to their members, alleging that musicians always pay them peanuts that are not commensurable to their professional input.
According to Ayanwola, the payment formula is exploitative and hurting and described musicians as being self centered, wicked and unscrupulous elements, who promote bickering and unemployment in Nigeria’s viable music industry.
Ayanwola, Lagbaja’s former bata drummer, stressed further that ‘after each show, all expenses will be deducted from the total income and two-thirds of the balance goes to the musicians while the remaining is shared among 20 to 25 band members.
He also berated a particular musician (name withheld) who did not pay his band members for four shows before travelled abroad. “How did he want such people to survive with their families?” He queried.
the Idere, Oyo State-born versatile bata drummer, lamented the present living condition Mutiu Kekere, erstwhile Ebenezer Obey’s lead drummer, who he said, presently squats with a relation in Isolo, describing the development as shameful and disheartening.
He, however, urged governments at all levels, especially Tourism Ministry, to come to the association’s aid by enacting a law that will recognise and protect drumming as a profession and another viable source of revenue generation.
Oguntade, in his own contribution, said musicians should see drummers as professional business partners, who should be treated as such.
He advised them to desist from their usual use and dump style to evolve good business relationship to foster a formidable industry towards economic development of the association and individual members.
—Kayode Aponmade