Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been endorsed by some Yoruba actors just as he announced plans to institute a health insurance scheme for them.
The endorsement took place at a dinner held at the Lagos House Marina on Monday night.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu, who said he would pay the insurance premium cover for the theatre practitioners, most of whom are aging, said the Nigerian movie industry and practitioners had played key roles in shaping development of Lagos.
He said: “We realise that your industry is one of the highest employers of labour. You have continued to provide succour and means of livelihood to a lot of citizens quietly. More importantly, you give freshness to our lives through your stories. There is always a lesson and information to learn from the experiences you paint in your works. You fill in the creative space of our society and project good values about our culture, way of life and race.
“It is interesting to see your industry grow, even without enough support. You are able to stand and build names around the industry. As a Government, some of the interventions we have brought forward to assist your industry are not out of place; it is your right and entitlement which makes the Government to look back in assistance to further shape our society for greater good.
“To further enhance our intervention, we are going to initiate an insurance scheme to assist Nollywood and give the practitioners free access to health care in public health facilities. This scheme will be specially categorised for professionals in the film business. This is yet another token of what the Government can offer those who have shaped our society. The insurance scheme would come in handy for practitioners who cannot afford medical expenses and prevent them from seeking assistance in an embarrassing manner.”
Speaking earlier, some of the actors, including Adebayo Salami ( Oga Bello), Jide Kosoko, Adewale Elesho, Idowu Phillips (Iya Rainbow) and filmmaker Mahmoud Alli-Balogun, commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for carrying out what they described as people-oriented programmes and projects which according to them qualify him for a second term in office.
The actors also promised to work for his victory in the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State.
They also expressed their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to them, has done a lot for theatre practitioners.
The dinner, which was attended by over 100 Yoruba actors, directors, producers and marketers, also had Tade Ogidan, Lere Paimo, Fausat Balogun, Iyabo Ogunsola, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Charles Olumo, Saidi Balogun, Toyin Adegbola, Taiwo Hassan, Damola Olatunji, Bimbo Akintola and Eniola Badmus among others in attendance.
