Fidelity Bank Plc has pledged to support upcoming musicians and others in the entertainment industry so as to enable them effectively utilise their talents.
Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said this when he anchored the Fidelity SME Forum monitored on Inspiration FM, Lagos, which featured Nigerian musician, Mr. Micheal Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, as guest, on Tuesday.
Okonkwo said the bank decided to commence the series on operators in the music and entertainment industry because it was being futuristic.
According to Okonkwo, people do a lot of things, create a lot of value, but they don’t see business in it.
“If you think back, great musicians came out of this country and they didn’t make money. If you think back, great footballers came out of this country and they didn’t make money. Today, football is a big business, entertainment is big business as well. “What we are basically doing here is to look at man’s endeavor from the business perspectives. We have discovered gaps where we would like to help them put proper structure into what they do,” he said.
While commenting on the gaps the bank found in the industry, the bank CEO said: “If you look at valuation of the talents they have, how do I translate Korode Bello’s worth to money? If another record label wants to take him from me today, how much do they need to pay? You have to put in place proper accounting into this business. So our Fidelity Managed SME unit is there to build capacity for entertainers and give more young people opportunity to become the Dangotes of tomorrow.”
Earlier, Ajereh, who is the founder of Mavin Records urged upcoming and aspiring musicians to always follow their dream, be focused and to be determined. He also pointed out that education would also be vital. He commended the management of the bank for their efforts in promoting small and medium scale enterprises.
