The Chief Executive Officer, 16: Xisten Events, Smith Oseghale has called for the diversification of the entertainment industry to promote excellence and professionalism to satisfy the entertainment needs of millions of Nigerians living in different regions.
Oseghale, while noting the immense infrastructure and support the industry gets in Lagos state which is the hub of the entertainment industry, said everyone does not need to relate to the former capital to contribute their quota in the sector.
According to him, the large population of Nigeria is of immense advantage to anybody to benefit from in any business venture, hence “the notion of moving to Lagos as the surest way to become a star is not totally correct.”
Oseghale applauded the role Lagos State plays in the growth and development of different sectors of the entertainment industry like music, movies, comedy, dance, event management, among others.
He, however, said that stars over the years have been discovered in other parts of the country.
The 16: Xisten CEO, who said the world has become a global village with the emergence of various social media platforms, insisted that “such insinuations are no longer entirely true but just a figment of the imaginations of a few naysayers.”
He added: “As the sky is wide enough to contain millions of birds, so is the industry wide enough to contain practitioners irrespective of the location they play in.
“Our population is one of our biggest strengths as a nation and if we can explore the huge market inherent, then we will know that with the right strategy, we can thrive in Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Lokoja, Benin, Owerri, Osogbo or Ilorin.”
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The young entrepreneur, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and a Masters Degree in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Benin, maintained that all the shows he has produced in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Abuja, Warri and other cities are testaments that a true professional can blossom anywhere.
“I just produced a massively successful event – Edwardo Untamed on October 1st which is an annual show held in Benin City. That event also made its debut in Abuja in February this year and we are working assiduously to replicate the second edition in Abuja in 2025.
“Most of the shows we have produced as thoroughbred professionals is testament that entertainers can break boundaries anywhere.
“Over the past few years, 16: Xisten Events have produced some of the biggest shows particularly in the South-South part of the country including but not limited to Maleke Unchanged, MC Edo Pikin Undiluted, Just Comedy with Funny P, Medica Live among many others.
“Our Company has other shows coming up this year but we are currently finalising plans for a major one coming up in January and that one is King Zina,” he added.