Ahead of the roll out of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS), the administrators, Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) have continued its nationwide sensitization and enlightenment campaign of the entertainment industry as regards the workings of the scheme and the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Trust Fund (NEIHTF).
The Warri event held on Thursday October 30, 2014 at the Shell Ramp. It was attended by top stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Delta State. Some of these prominent personalities include; the Secretary General of PMAN in Delta State, Mr. Quincy, President Comedians Guild- Kudoslala, President Urhobowood (the association for Urhobo movie community)-Joseph Oreke, President Bouncers Association, representatives of Actors Guild of Nigeria and other decision makers.
Since the commencement of the tour, the Warri attendees have been the most interactive and critical of the scheme. They fielded so many questions in a seemingly endless session that lasted several hours. However, they finally bought into the scheme after all the conviction by the NEIHIS strong delegation comprising representatives from NEILS and the three partner HMO’s. They all pledged their allegiance to the scheme. A working committee was later set up after the conference to help the organizers reach out to more entertainment practitioners within the State.
On Thursday October 31, 2014, the Edo State edition of the conference held in Benin at Oba Akenzua Cultural complex. Edo State also has its fair share of various associations and they were all adequately represented. There were representatives from guilds and associations such as Edo Artistes Association of Nigeria, Entertainment Network of Edo State, Concerned Artistes Forum, Music & Films Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria and Orhionnwon Musicians Association. The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) members were led to the event by PMAN secretary General in the state- Mr. Willy Eghenova. Actors Guild of Nigeria members were also represented by some members as it was gathered that the leadership in state is currently enmeshed in crisis and an unending legal tussle.
Stakeholders and attendees also took out time to applaud the initiative. Veteran musician and one of the members of the Edo State elder’s forum, Prof. Richard Ugiagbe who is now suffering from partial blindness told the organizers to speed up the roll out process which he believes will help restore his sight. Also, the President of Orhionnwon Musicians Association, Baba Yankee appealed that the organizers should do more for this initiative to further get to the entertainers at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, the Port-Harcourt event which was postponed last week Wednesday October 29th will hold as scheduled tomorrow Tuesday November 4th, 2014. The leaders of various associations and other stakeholders unanimously agreed earlier to shift the conference to allow for a broader participation of all entertainment practitioners and stakeholders in Rivers State.