Falz, Rita Dominic and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde have joined an ongoing campaign by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) for the reopening of cinemas across the country.
The federal government had earlier shut down cinemas alongside schools, worship centres, airlines, among others, as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
But while the government had announced the partial reopening of schools and worship centres following the gradual easing of the lockdown earlier put in place, cinemas have remained shut across the country.
The development has continued to generate heated controversies, with many stakeholders in the sector questioning the rationality behind the federal government’s decision not to reopen the cinemas.
The controversies were further heightened after the federal government announced on Monday that airports would be reopened for international flights from August 29.
Commenting on the issue, Falz lamented that the development was indicative of the federal government’s poor contribution to the growth of the country’s creative sector.
“Restaurants have reopened, airlines have been operating, places of worship have also been permitted to reopen,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Let’s not even start to talk about all the videos that have surfaced of political rallies happening, clearly neglecting all safety precautions. Thousands of people have been left without any way to earn for several months.
“Right now, we don’t see anything but a government that contributes little or nothing to its creative sector and continues to attempt to stifle the sector in every way@MBuhari@ProfOsinbajo
“The entertainment industry must be allowed to gradually get back in business!! Let’s start with cinemas reopening with all safety precautions in place!!#savecinemas#SaveEntertainment.
In the same vein, Dominic shared a video by CEAN — which examined various countries where cinemas have been reopened in the world — on her Instagram page.
She accompanied the video with a terse post reading: “reopen our cinemas.”
On her part, Omotola wrote: “I believe cinemas are easier to monitor and regulate. If other indoor places are open, why not the Cinemas? Temp checks, masks, distancing etc. We need to work together to ensure safer ways to keep the Arts going . Many livelihoods depend on this. It can and MUST be done as safely as possible. #savecinemas.“
Last month, Patrick Lee, CEAN chairman, had said that the theatrical sector in Nigeria had lost over N6 billion and 5,000 jobs since cinemas were closed in March.
