Mr Macaroni: There’s now a burden on entertainers to cause change with their crafts

Debo Adebayo, the comedian better known as Mr Macaroni, has called on entertainers to use their talent to influence change in society.

The skit-maker said there is a “burden” on artistes to play a role in solving burning issues and problems in the country.

He spoke on Friday at the eighth edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NECLive), which was held at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mr Macaroni, who was the keynote speaker, urged entertainers to use their voice as a tool for change as much as they can.

“This conference is to help us talk about the problems that we face as a nation and proffer possible solutions,” he said.

“Soro Soke influencing, using entertainment to drive development holistically, it is our collective responsibility to use our talents to influence a better Nigeria, the change starts with us.

“No matter what you do, you have a role to play, find your niche, and effect change in your little corner and watch it blossom.

“There is now a burden on artists in the industry to cause change with their crafts. The environment cannot be burning and artistes are not able to drive change with their individual talents. Functioning artistes should be influenced by happenings in society.

“Everyone has the power, it depends on how you have decided to use yours, build your brand, talk about issues that affect your community, you never can tell who is watching and where succour will come from.

“Stop wasting your time trolling people, if your argument cannot be constructive leave it, we need to learn the power of speaking out constructively.”

Also speaking at the conference, Leo Dasilva, a former Big Brother Naija star, asked his colleagues to use their platforms to make a difference, “no matter how little”.

“No matter what you are doing to impact change, focus on it, get the attention of your immediate community and I can tell you the impact will be felt by the most relevant people in your life,” Dasilva said.