By Ayo Onikoyi

Nigerian juju artiste, Sunday Adeola Ogunyemi, also know as Sunny Melody has urged the federal government to establish and implement intellectual property laws and provide funding and grants for creative projects to develop and strengthen the entertainment industry in the country.

Ogunyemi aka Sunny Melody further said that the Nigerian entertainment industry remains a powerful tool for economic growth and cultural diplomacy.

The entertainer made this known recently in an interview with Potpourri as he emphasised that the government should help artistes combat their challenges for the greater good of the economy.

“By addressing challenges such as piracy, funding, and infrastructure, the government can create an enabling environment for artists to thrive,” Ogunyemi said. “This will not only boost the creative sector but also project Nigeria’s rich culture and talent to the world, ultimately contributing to the country’s GDP and global influence.”

He said, “Establish and enforce Intellectual property laws, provide funding and grants for creative projects, develop infrastructure for the industry,

 Nigerian culture and arts globally, provide training, establish national endowment funds, address insecurity and lastly encourage digital platforms and distribution channels.

“The Nigerian entertainment industry is a powerful tool for economic growth and cultural diplomacy. By addressing challenges such as piracy, funding, and infrastructure, the government can create an enabling environment for artists to thrive. This will not only boost the creative sector but also project Nigeria’s rich culture.”

Speaking about his journey into the entertainment world, Ogunyemi aka Sunny Melody said there were limited opportunities after he graduated from the university which made him travel out of the country.

“I started singing from childhood and joined Ogun State University School band OSU MELODY when studying at the University.

“After graduation, entering the labour market was not easy. There were limited opportunities, and I had to focus more on my career which led me to travel out of the country for greener pastures and secondly to establish myself Internationally. However, I turned every setback into a learning experience, which shaped my success today,” he stated.

He insisted that, “The challenges I faced taught me the importance of resilience, hard work, and adaptability. Those experiences made me stronger and more prepared to face any future hurdles. I am working on a single titled “Iru Esin”. No collaboration at the moment.”

According to him, there have to be a lot of innovations in the entertainment industry for it to drive the economic change needed in the country.

While providing solutions to these challenges, he said, “Modernisation of juju music, better promotion and marketing, involvement of younger artistes, collaboration with other genres, digital transformation” are essential.

In his remarks concerning juju music, he said, “Juju music is a vital part of Nigerian cultural heritage, but over time, it has lost some of its prominence due to the rise of other genres like Afrobeats and hip-hop. However, with the right changes, Juju music can regain its relevance and appeal to both local and global audiences.”

“Juju music holds a significant place in Nigeria’s cultural heritage, but for Juju artists to stay relevant and thrive in today’s fast-evolving music industry, We need to embrace change, innovation, and modern strategies.”

“I see myself doing more projects involving upcoming juju artistes, discovering and producing new talents,” he asserted.

Speaking about Juju and Fuji music, Ogunyemi aka sunny melody said, “To bridge the gap between Juju and Fuji music, Juju artists need to modernize their sound, collaborate with other genres, and embrace digital marketing strategies. By rebranding Juju music and making it more appealing to younger audiences, the genre can regain its place as a dominant force in Nigerian music.”

“The key is innovation, consistency, and a willingness to adapt while keeping the cultural essence of Juju music alive,” he added.

Ogunyemi was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, where he also completed his primary and secondary education. He later proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) to study Business Administration and graduated in 1998.