Entertainment sector is the next largest employer of labour – Alibaba

Veteran comedian and actor, Alibaba, has stated that after civil service, the entertainment sector is next largest employer of labour in the country.

In a post to Instagram on Thursday, Alibaba said he was at a private dinner with France President, Emmanuel Macron and he said if Nigeria harness the potentials we have in the entertainment sector it will solve the unemployment issues in the country.

“The French President said, the entertainment sector, in Nigeria, with the abundant talent he has heard of and come in contact with, if Nigeria harnessed the potentials we have, over 80% of our unemployment issues will be solved,” he wrote.

Alibaba also listed the number of jobs made available in the industry.

“The entertainment sector employs, cartoonists, sculptors, painters, poets, writers, actors, directors, photographers, lawyers, drivers, managers, accountants, guitarists, pianists, costumiers, floor managers, casting experts, agents, caterers, confectioners,” he wrote.

The entertainment sector employs, cartoonists, sculptors, painters, poets, writers, actors, directors, photographers, lawyers, drivers, managers, accountants, guitarists, pianists, costumiers, floor managers, casting experts, agents, caterers, confectionerists, marketers, insurance companies, Estate agents, event planners, make up artists, fashion consultant, tailors, editors, set builders, stage managers, dancers, comedians, PR experts, camera men, audio experts, sound engineers, architects, line managers, OAPs, broadcasters, television presenters, graphic designers, computer experts, orators, Mcees, sports, Narrators, VoiceOver artist, show promoters, interior decorator,… Last night, at a private dinner, the French President said, the entertainment sector, in Nigeria, with the abundant talent he has heard of and come in contact with, IF NIGERIA HARNESSED THE POTENTIALS WE HAVE, over 80% of our unemployment issues will be solved. I turned and looked at one of the MDs of a major bank there… “Did you hear that? Or should I repeat it?” He replied, “Ali let him bring the money naaaa. You know our government will not give us.” So I asked, “What kind of amount will turn around the entertainment sector, to make it, an attractive to the banks to commit to supporting it?” He thought hard and said “Once, there is a defined structure, backed up by policies and supported by relevant laws that then creates an enabling environment for the sector, that will convince any financial entity of ROI and gaurantee quick returns within a 5 year window, the investors are available.” So if you have that guarantee you will support the industry with like how much? Between N50b to N300b he said emphatically.

A post shared by Ali Baba (@alibabagcfr) on Jul 5, 2018 at 1:29am PDT

In a previous post, Alibaba made a proposal to the Federal Government on how to use the recovered fund looted by the late Head of State, Sani Abacha.

He said he would transform the National Theatre within three years if given the looted funds the Federal Government wants to share to poor Nigerians.

“I have a proposal for the federal government. Instead of (sharing) the Abacha loot, give me the money, let’s (transform) the National Theatre, Lagos, to a world class F1 circuit and create many opportunities from that place, and in (three) years we can still give you back this same amount you are about to share,” he wrote.