Entertainment becomes career choice for young Nigerians

 Reported by beejaycomb


 Drenched in sweat from an energy-
sapping rehearsal at a Lagos dance studio, Rita
Adoh hopes to make a fortune from dancing and
catapult herself into the growing ranks of
Nigeria's millionaires.
"From dancing, I get money to pay my school
fees and other bills. I have property and I have
helped my parents financially to put up their
residential building in Lagos," the 26-year-old told
AFP.
"I plan to open a dance school in the future. It is a
dream and I know it will not die."
Adoh's choice of career may seem unusual given
that she is also studying for a degree in
international relations.
But it is a reflection of an increased interest in the
performance arts in Nigeria and a sign that the
country is getting serious about its entertainment
industry.
Nigeria is investing heavily in developing the
sector, recognising that a more professional
approach could make it more internationally
successful, providing jobs and -- hopefully --
prosperity for those that work in it.
The World Bank is backing a government drive to
boost the sector, which has seen $200 million
(147 million euros) pledged to help boost the
country's popular film industry, Nollywood.
It is thought that properly run, Nollywood alone
could support an estimated one million new jobs.
Change in attitudes
Rita, who trains with Nigeria's best-known dancer
and choreographer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Ameh or
"Kaffy", is part of the process, eyeing a career in
entertainment as a viable and potentially money-
spinning choice.
She admitted, though, that her Roman Catholic
parents were strongly against her dancing when
she first started, reflecting traditional feelings that
study and hard work are the path to secure a
steady, well-paying job.
"At the beginning, my parents were opposed to it.
But today, their attitude has changed towards it
when good things started happening to me and
they have benefited from the spin-off," she said.
Nigerians' new-found interest in entertainment
can also be seen in the huge success of a
number of television talent shows, which follow
the format made popular in places such as Britain
and the United States.
"I would like to make a lot of money, in fact
millions, from dancing," said Victor Okunbor, 19,
who has recently left college and started dance
lessons.
"I would like to be famous like Kaffy," he added at
Ameh's Lagos dance school.
"I expect dancing to fetch me money and fame,"
chipped in Chimelie Okeke, a 20-year-old
university undergraduate.
"I currently generate some little money from
dancing and I see my current training under Kaffy
as a good platform to realise my dream."
Okunbor and Okeke's attitude is a common one,
reflecting a desire to show off hidden talents and
try to get their name in lights.
But in places such as Nigeria, where poverty is
widespread, the stakes are a lot higher, with
success in such shows a potential escape from
the rigours of daily life.
Last year, an eight-year-old girl became an
instant celebrity after dancing her way to the 10-
million-naira ($63,000, 46,500-euro) top prize on
the first "Nigeria's Got Talent" show, beating a
host of older dancers, singers, magicians,
comedians and gymnasts.
Seven members of the same family meanwhile
won six million naira on "Maltina Dance All", while
singer Olawale Ayodele Ojo landed five million
naira, a car and a recording contract on "MTN
Project Fame".
The 25-year-old agronomy student was at the
time kicking his heels because of a nationwide
pay dispute between university lecturers and the
government.
His three nearest rivals also went home with new
cars and cash rewards running into millions of
naira.
'Better than armed robbery'
At dance schools like Kaffy's, more young people
are seeking tuition, either to help supplement their
existing income or win richer glories.
But Anna Okorejior, an 18-year-old ICT
engineering student, said dancing also has
another purpose -- keeping young people on the
straight and narrow.
"More and more youths are going into dancing
and other forms of entertainment now because
they keep them busy in doing positive things,"
she said.
"For the youths, dancing is better than going into
vices such as robbery, drugs, prostitution, fraud
and vices."
Bosun Adekogbe, a music teacher at the Obafemi
Awolowo University in southwest city of Ile-Ife,
agreed.
He dated the rise in dancing as a career choice
back to the 1970s, when musician King Sunny
Ade began using dancers in his live shows.
"Through this, many people came to see the
future prospect of professional dancer. Many
youths are making their fortunes through
professional dance and dancing competitions," he
said.
"It is better than armed robbery or joining the
'yahoo boys' (scammers)."