‘Abuja is an evolving market for entertainment’

Chief Gabriel Oyibode is known on the Abuja entertainment scene as a supporter of arts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He describes himself as a liberal personality and a man of the people while speaking to Weekend Magazine about his love for promoting artistes and his take on the industry in the FCT among […]

Chief Gabriel Oyibode is known on the Abuja entertainment scene as a supporter of arts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He describes himself as a liberal personality and a man of the people while speaking to Weekend Magazine about his love for promoting artistes and his take on the industry in the FCT among other issues.
Weekend Magazine: What attracted you to supporting entertainment?
Chief Gabriel Oyibode: The major idea behind supporting entertainment and being there for people is my passion, I like capacity building. Probably it has something to do with my ministry and calling because I like the things of God, God is love. To show the love of God is to share among people, especially the less-privileged, the downtrodden, those in dire need and those in need for a push by giving a helping hand to them for them to develop their talents. I do all this because it is part of me and it gives me joy.
WM: What would you say about entertainment as it exists in Abuja?
Oyibode: It is coming up. Abuja has never been a tourist destination, it is purely an administrative centre for Nigeria, but because of the influx of people, there was need for recreation, and timeout places for after work and holiday spots. For such spots to exist there must be entertainment and these are people talented in that field or trade. So as the population increases and grows, activities, commerce and businesses all growing, the need for entertainment evolves. So far I think they are doing well.
WM: Even with what you have said, there is still the rush for people to live Abuja at weekends. Do you foresee Abuja being a place worthy for people to spend their weekends?
Oyibode: The major reason is that Abuja is a centre for Nigerians, with people who come from the nooks and crannies of the federation. So people come in, do their normal work and have the need to go back home sometimes. This accounts for the reason why people take leave of Abuja to their homes and villages for holiday or weekends. But I see a situation whereby in the near future when tourism is properly developed in Nigeria, people may not have the need to leave Abuja often, rather they would go to relaxation spots where they would recreate.
WM: Beyond clubs, gardens and other sorts of recreation parks that exist here, would you say Abuja based entertainers are doing enough to develop the tourism value in the FCT?
Oyibode: They are coming up and have not been able to capture the market which is the audience here. That is another reason why people leave Abuja, it is an evolving market and business. I think they should do more, so they can capture the attention for people, whereby people would have the desire to always be in Abuja at weekends and watch them display.
WM: If it were in your position to advise them on what to do to capture this audience, what would you advise them to do?
Oyibode: The major players have actually looked at the market, it is not really developed for them to put all their resources here and concentrate fully in Abuja. I think the government has a role to play in this direction. Tourism development without the government, the players in the entertainment industry cannot carry this alone, because it is capital intensive.
WM: Against the background of what you said, they were ministerial appointments made last week, and for some reason culture and tourism were somewhere there, but there was no verbal mention of the ministry, what is your take on this?
Oyibode: I don’t really know the reason why the Buhari administration did not take proper cognisance of the role of the ministry of culture and tourism. Even if it is merged with another ministry, the most important thing is that they don’t lose focus; even if it is a directorate under a ministry. If proper attention is still given to development of tourism, I think they will still do well. Irrespective of the fact that they do not have their own full-fledged ministry I think they can still do well if the minister is focused.
WM: You contested for governorship. Will you be going back to that again?
Oyibode: PDP or no PDP, APC or no APC, they can’t stop my ambition to serve my people. If God wants me to serve in that capacity, it doesn’t matter the platform I will come under in 2019. Time will tell.
WM: Of all you do, what gives you the most contentment?
Oyibode: My ability to put a smile on somebody’s face. If I am able to be there for someone in need and make a change no matter how little, I am very happy.