Nollywood actors, musical artistes and other performers in the entertainment industry, mainly from the South-East extraction of the country, have signed up to a new initiative to totally restore peace in the region.
Regretting the unfortunate air of insecurity and violence that had hitherto prevailed in the zone and its attendant effects on the economy, education of the youths and social life, the creatives, however, said that such was alien to the people of the zone.
They described the situation as an ill-wind that blows no good to anyone.
To this end, the actors pledged to support the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P), an initiative of the National Assembly members led by the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, that craves for non-kinetic means of resolving the issue of insecurity in the zone.
Gathered in their numbers during a courtesy call on Kalu on Monday in Abuja, the entertainers vowed to use their talents and skills to preach the message of peace to Ndigbo, Nigerians and the world at large.
The A-class actors led by Jim Iyke, included Zack Orji, Yul Edochie, Destiny Etiko, Ekene Umenwa Obodo, Okechukwu Edwards Ukeje (Mr Raw), Benedict Johnson, Francis Duru, Noble Igwe, Tina Mbah, and a host of others.
In his remarks, the deputy speaker lauded the creative spirits of the actors and musicians, saying that it was time to use their talents to propagate the gospel of peace and restoration in the South-East.
Kalu said that the ripple effects of insecurity have touched on every facet of life in the region.
He said that the statistics painted a grim picture on trading losses of up to N3.8 trillion due to the illegal sit-at-home order on Mondays just as the transportation sector losses were up to N13 billion, and small businesses crippled by daily losses due to the attendant violence.
He added that the shadow casts by insecurity extends far beyond the economic losses, stressing that it suffocates the breath of creativity.
Kalu, however, said that PISE-P, which will be unveiled on December 29, 2023 in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, has articulated eight cardinal pillars of Education; Agriculture; Commerce/Industry; Infrastructural Development; Culture and Tourism; Sports/Entertainment; Governance/Leadership and Reconciliation/Rehabilitation/Reintegration to tackle the challenges, urging all hands to be on deck.
He said: “That is why, in response to the challenges of the South-East, a different kind of song is rising – the song of the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P). PISE-P is not about guns and boots; for the sounds of guns and the barrels of guns have not helped us in solving the problem in South-East. Militarization has not helped us. Kinetic approach to resolving the problem has not been the best solution. If it is not, then there must be something out there that is better than the guns. It is about education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and cultural revival. It is about restoring the fertile ground where your talents can take root and soar.
“These are the tools, pillars upon which PISE-P stands. How do we use what we have to create peace? How do we use what we have to create peace? How do we bring in those ones who are in the bush, offer them free education? How do we use enterpreneural skills to give them sense of inclusion by telling those people who are angry and agitating? We can give you a grant of N1 to N2 million and say come out from the bush. We can help you start a life. Take the grant, let’s mentor you through the Igba-Boi or let us support your business.
“How do we use agriculture, we have arable land, fertile land across south east, how do we introduce mechanized farming, increase more people that we will employ there, reduce unemployment rate in the south east, calm the nerves of those who are agitating, focus them where they can go and produce more for the nation through our region. How do you use infrastructure, how do we bring in those in the hinterlands and calm the nerves of those who feel they are not included? I can go on and on. This is what PISE-P stands for. We can no longer wait for government to do it for us.
“That’s why we are coming up with this platform, which we must buy into to raise funds all around the world. There are organizations that are interested in peace and if building infrastructure will bring peace, they will come. If building those health centres will bring peace, they will come and partner with us. If redefining agriculture to mechanized farming will bring peace, they will come. If increasing the number of classroom blocks will bring peace, they will come. But they are looking for a platform. PISE-P is that platform.”
Kalu, who enjoined the actors to deploy their talents towards restoring peace in South-East, said he was tired of seeing innocent blood of his brothers spilled on the streets.
“We call upon you, the torchbearers of Nigeria’s creative spirit, to join hands with us in this momentous task. We invite you to lend your voices, your talents, and your influence to PISE-P. Craft a social media campaign that ignites the flames of peace, a video or picture endorsement that resonates with millions, and a skit that speaks to hearts and minds in the language of laughter and shared humanity. Issue a clarion call of unity, a statement of unwavering support for the project that echoes through every corner of the land. Let us, in the spirit of your craft, rewrite the narrative. Let us replace the discord of violence with the harmonious chords of collaboration. Let us ensure that the South East becomes, once again, not just a stage for your talents, but a canvas for your dreams to flourish.
“I am tired of the blood of my brothers on the streets. You should be. Whatever explanation that is given behind it is irrelevant. I am tired of seeing the market being burned down. I am tired. You should be. I am tired of students not going to school on Mondays, losing their aspiration in academic and education, if you are not tired, I am and you should be,” he said.
In their separate responses, the actors who agreed with the deputy speaker’s position, promised to be part of the project with their creative talents and skills to restore peace in the South-East.
In his remarks, veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji said: “We are willing to partner with you. We have some projects, in due time we will be discussing some of it with you. We are looking forward to 29 December, where we will be in one place to drive a message home. We are optimistic thereafter there will be peace in the South East.”
Similarly, Benedict Johnson said “I’m supporting this cause because I want a safe Igboland. Igbos are not known for killing each other, we are highly hospitable people. I plead with my colleagues to take this very seriously. We should mobilise people and make them understand the importance of peace in the southeast.”
On his part, Franscs Duru said: “I am elated because you presented a problem, defined an approach and embraced a technique. A non-kinetic approach. I hope you will not go off. There are so many persons waiting for this. You called, we answered, but let it not be said we answered and you left us. Please, don’t let the candle go off. We’ve started and we are not going back.”
For his part, Yul Edochie stated: “History will be kind to you, sir. You have started something laudable. We are in support of this. We can come up with a lot of strategies for peace in the Southeast.”