Uti says government can create jobs out of entertainment

Nigerian actor, model, Jara presenter and Big Brother Africa 5 winner, Uti Nwachukwu, on Wednesday appealed to stakeholders to use the entertainment industry as a viable platform for job creation.

Nwachukwu observed that due to its vastness, the entertainment sector needs lots of skilled personnel in the various arms.

“Government can use it for the creation of employment they have been talking about, if they handle it well,” he said to NAN in Lagos.

“The industry has not been exploited enough and its potential not seen. It is still a virgin land waiting to be cultivated by the stakeholders and made worthwhile for the youths.”

Nwachukwu, who is an actor, TV presenter and model, identified modelling, fashion, stage setting, camera assistance and performing arts as areas waiting to be explored.

“What remains to be done is to open up centres that can teach these things,” he said.

According to Nwachukwu, such endeavours provide jobs for those that have the requisite skills in other climes.

He said that many youths were eager to do a lot in the sector, but were discouraged because no one was lifting a finger to help out.

‘The people in the sector, with exception of few who have made it, hardly feed from what they do.

“That is why most of the youths want to travel out of the country so that they can make it,” he said.

Nwachukwu enjoined those that have made their mark in the industry to also endeavour to help up-and-coming ones to get established.

“The youths should be their priority. The up-and-coming ones need a voice, too, so that it would be a continuous process,” he said.

“My platform helped me and I have empowered so many youths; I want so many of us to grow together. We don’t need to run abroad to be able to make it; we really have to be serious about the sector.”