By PETER EGWUATU

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS has declared that it is targeting the entertainment industry as a catalyst to boosting the Nigerian capital market and economy.

The Chairman of the CIS Programme Committee, Mr. Akeem Oyewale, disclosed this at a press briefing heralding the institute’s annual conference slated to hold 30th October, 2014 in Lagos.

According to him “Capital Market is a market which provides long term funding for the entire economy and we believe the entertainment industry is yet to benefit from the capital market.

The reach and spread of Nollywood and the music industry of Nigeria currently transcends the shores of Nigeria. We know all over Africa, Nigerian actors and musicians hold sway. Also, given the highly itinerant nature of Nigeria, one of the major exports of our country has been our entertainment industry.”

He further said “We want to see how the entertainment industry can tap into the long term funding of the capital market to grow the industry higher and the economy in general. Nollywood has helped Nigeria in so many ways. It has provided jobs to the youth and also can contribute significant level to the recently rebased Gross Domestic Product, GDP of Nigeria.”

Mr. Wale Agbeyangi, the Chairman of the CIS Conference Committee explained that the CIS has put together an array of quality speakers and practitioners from both Industries.

According to him “ The Director General of the Securities & Exchange, Ms Arunma Oteh, the CEO of the Nigerian Sock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Mr. Albert Okumagba, President of CIS would provide brief addresses while Mr Ben Murray Bruce of the Silverbird Group and the Honorable Minister for Tourism High Chief Edem Duke would headline discussions for the entertainment industry.

The CEO of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics Dr Yemi Kale, Ali Baba, Ms Yewande Sadiku, CEO of the Stanbic IBTC Capital, Ms Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Mr Bolaji Balogun of Chapel Hill Denham Group, Mr Biodun Shobanjo and Ms Mosunmola Abudu, are some of the confirmed speakers and participants at the conference.

Tiwa Savage, Olu Jazz, Waje, Dr Sid and a host of other world class performers are also going to provide colour to the Conference at its Gala Nites.”

He further stated that the CIS believes that the conference would jumpstart the conversation and the connection between the capital market and the entertainment industry.

“There are series of financial instruments that are available for the entertainment industry to optimize for both practitioners in their personal capacities and also their companies and we believe that this Conference would provide the opportunities for these engagements.

The conference would also be conducting the Investiture of new Fellows and Associates of the CIS” he added.