By Julie VandalPosted on 15-02-2019Modified on 15-02-2019 at 20:59
The economy may be at half-mast and oil may benefit only an exclusive elite, security may have deteriorated and the fight against corruption is like the effects of announcements, over the decades, military dictatorships on the return of democratically elected governments, Nigerians have learned to live without much expectation from their leaders. Resilience that translates day by day and makes the lines move progressively. Music, cinema, community involvement, etc. Diving into a tiny part of this creative, daring and daring Nigeria. Met.
■ Nnimmo Bassey, defender of human rights and the environment
Nnimmo Bassey loves challenges. The bigger they are, the more he dives into it. Especially when they are troubled waters like those of the Niger Delta after thirty years of oil pollution. He dipped, precisely, sucks the first. It was at the time of military dictatorships. " I was studying architecture, I was convinced that I would work in social housing, " he says. The yoke of totalitarianism has decided otherwise. It will be the defense of human rights and democracy. " I quickly realized that what we were defending had environmental roots and I never looked back ."
In front, there is a fight inspired by Ken Saro-Wiwa, environmentalist of the first hour, executed by the government of Sani Abacha. In 1993, Nnimmo Bassey founded the NGO Friends of the Earth. Then follow, twenty years to track the oil spills of the majors and defend the people who can not live in the creeks where they were born. His credo: the dialogue, with the authorities and " other NGOs. Nigerian civil society is very dynamic, "he says.
His pacifist fight was immediately hailed: confirmed swimmer, Nnimmo Bassey is a triple medalist, he notably obtained the Rafto prize in 2012. Since then, this bulimic of work, who writes works in his spare time, has taken off. With the Health of Mother Heart Foundation, he "is now making young people aware of a future without oil ." And as if that was not enough, he added other causes: food, this time, with a focus on GMOs. While the country is already growing transgenic cotton, the authorities are in the process of validating the doliques, a variety of tropical green beans. A disaster announced, according to him: " They are used throughout the Nigerian diet, but we have no control over genetic modifications, everything is done abroad. "
Undoubtedly combative, Nnimmo Bassey refuses to transform Nigeria into an " open-air laboratory ". So he tries to convince the politicians. It does not matter if the elders turn a deaf ear, " the rising generation is very sensitive to these issues ." What if it was just a drop of water in an ocean of lobbies? He is laughing. " It's already huge. The day I lose hope, I stop working . " To listen to it, it is not for tomorrow.
■ Banky W, artist and candidate for the deputation
Banky W, aka Olubankole Wellington, receives in one of its two headquarters on Victoria Island, the upscale neighborhood of Lagos. A local dealer " generously lent " by a " good will of the party ", where young people are busy, eyes on their phone. Banky W is in campaign. Candidate of the seat of Eti-Osa in the House of Representatives on behalf of the young Modern Democratic Party (MDP), created last year and unknown at the national level; the singer and comedian has changed course, but remains on stage. The lights, the money, the baths of crowd, he knows that besides very well and excels there. Upon his return to the country in 2007, this training engineer, born in New York to Nigerian parents, connects rap, pop and RnB hits. Musician and producer, he participates in the beginnings of Nigerian Pop and reveals several artists including the now star global Wizkid.
Since then, the music scene has been packed. Davido, Burna Boy, Daniel Kizz, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Teni, etc. as many voices broadcast in loop on radios. And too bad if most often they only talk about millions of dollars, sexy girls and champagne, the rhythms are furiously exciting and the pieces are exported wonderfully. What panic the counter of major labels that no longer hesitate to sign Nigerian artists. In 2016, revenues generated in the country by music amount to $ 39 million, 9% more than in 2015. This amount is expected to jump to $ 73 million by 2021, according to a report. report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
At 37, Banky W still sings love, while thinking seriously about tomorrow. If there is still a UFO in the industry, his report is without appeal. " Our generation is just talking on Twitter, Facebook, we complain, we denounce, but we do nothing. If we want to raise the country, our generation must act and participate. With 3.7 million subscribers on Instagram (2.3 on Twitter) and 10 million views on YouTube, this jack-of-all-all, shaved head, straight beard relies on a youth-oriented program to get elected. Education, health, employment and good governance are the hallmarks of his manifesto.
" Politics must have an impact on people's lives and politicians must be accountable to their constituents. But he knows, these words and a good dose of glamor will not be enough. In a constituency of two million voters, the challenge is daunting and the competition formidable. To win a seat in the National Assembly will not be easy. Nevertheless, the message has passed. Politicians will now have to count with him.
■ Mahmood Ali-Balogun, director
Mahmmod Ali-Balogun was bottle-fed to Indian, Chinese and American films. He keeps an emotional memory. " Everyone had his style: the storytelling of a Bombey to Goa, the triumph of good over evil and honor for Chinese films ," he says. Elements that have been founders in his career. At 60, the director and producer is an established man. No need to prove oneself. The director of Brickwall Communications Limited has a dozen films and documentaries to his credit. A selection at the Fespaco for A Place Called Home , shot in 16 mm, until Tango With Me in 2011, with the iconic Geneviève Nnaji, who made a box in theaters.
Filigree, the career of Mahmmod Ali-Balogun tells the emergence of the Nigerian film industry. From the 1980s of home-made production with VHF cameras and " three pieces of string " to today, Nollywood has earned its acclaim. " It's a real industry, " enthuses the native director of Kano. In 2015, the sector accounted for 1.5% of GDP. " It may seem ridiculous, but in a country where oil is king, it's very significant, " he explains. " Now we count ".
Lighting, actors, cameraman ... The sector employs thousands of people and is dreaming. Young people are better and better trained. It turns, in the North, in the Southeast and in Lagos. Two thousand films are released each year and generate nearly $ 4 billion in revenue, while a growing share of feature films are produced primarily for the film industry. " Five a week, " says Mahmmod Ali-Balogun. With a quality that has nothing to envy the industry across the Atlantic. Kemi Adetiba's romantic comedy The Wedding Party, which hit the box office in 2016, marked the transformation.
It remains to " improve the scripts and structure the industry, " says the director. Because if funding flows, " they remain attached to a name and there is no subsidy mechanism ." As for getting a bank loan, it's almost a heresy.
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