Date: 2016-04-26

Personally, I believe that what strengthens our democracy is the rights of the citizens to ask our government questions on manners of their governance. So, it is within the rights of the citizens of this state to raise questions on the what and the why of the Asa Wa command stage performance as packaged by the office of Special Assistant on Arts, Culture and Tourism to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Barr. Femi Adebayo.

The SA is indeed tapping into his professional constituency (Nollywood) to extract support for Kwara state in term of packaging the cultural and tourism potentials of the state for a wider audience. So, I believe these celebrities aren't coming unto the project on paid professional fees but stipends and honorarium in view of Femi Adebayo being one of them. If I remember correctly, the same Nollywood celebrities organised a befitting dinner for him when he was first appointed. This is just an extension of their support to the state toward the success of their colleague. Esprit d' corp.

The presence of over 20 Nollywood celebrities on stage is definitely going to raise media buzz both on the mainstream and social media. This, I believe, is a positive advantage for cultural awareness and celebration of our tourism in Kwara which will in turn attract investors (local and foreign) and contribute hugely to our state's revenue purse at a later time. Considering the wider audience of these celebrities on instagram, Twitter and Facebook, the Asa Wa performance would be reaching a greater audience and entrenching the positive marketing of the potential of tourism investment in Kwara state. It is my believe that that must have been a critical consideration of appointing Femi Adebayo into that office.

In the letter that Kwara Lens graciously provided, it shows that rather than relying on state resources to drive the event, the SA was resourceful in seeking corporate sponsors and partners for the event. Therefore, it follows that the state government is quite mindful of its resources but resourceful in strategic marketing of its tourism vision at no cost to the state.

In this period of looking inward for strategies of diversifying our economy, which the current administration at the center is championing, I share the necessity for a stage performance that celebrates and positions our culture from the creative angle of engaging celebrities as indirect ambassadors of our culture and our state. And especially when the state isn't paying millions to individual celebrity as ambassador, and yet we have the compliment of over 20 celebrities, who should have ordinarily charged millions, at no cost! Yet some people are making politics out of this.

Apparently, the red carpet segment of the event would attract great buzz and would sell products of partners and sponsors. Therefore, it brings considerable publicity to companies operating in Kwara and enlarges their market reach. If it enlarges their profitability due to the publicity, it means these companies may engage more Kwarans in their production and marketing.

I also learn that there is a gate fee of N5000 for those that can afford it. The gate taking is obviously adding certain advantage to the financial advantage of the state government. And considering that KWSG isn't spending money on this project, I have been asking myself why not? The celebrities that would have charged millions should at the end of the day, be motivated and so are those from the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture. I was also abreast that it also targets the bit revamping of dilapidated Kwara Arts and Culture infrastructures.

My comment is definitely not exhaustive but I want to believe it situated the argument on this Asa Wa stage performance in its proper perspective.