By SUNKANMI AKONI A private organisation, the Society for the Advancement of Entertainment and Trust, in partnership with other stakeholders, has launched a trust fund aimed at improving the welfare, healthcare and long-term financial security of Nigerian entertainers and other creatives. The initiative, promoted by entertainment practitioner Victory Okelezo, popularly known as Kupa Victory, was unveiled in Victoria Island, Lagos, with a N1 billion take-off fund and an eventual target of N5 billion.
Under the theme, “Life After the Art,” the organisers said the initiative was designed to provide sustainable support for creatives and reduce their dependence on public appeals whenever they face medical emergencies or financial difficulties. Speaking at the launch, Okelezo said the initiative was inspired by the growing cases of illness, financial hardship and sudden deaths among entertainers, noting that many creatives remain vulnerable despite their public image of success.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, described the initiative as timely, stressing that entertainers who have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s cultural and economic development should not become beggars after their active years. Falana called for greater awareness and access to insurance, noting that the National Health Insurance Authority Act provides a framework for health insurance coverage for Nigerians and residents.
He recalled that the former National Health Insurance Scheme, established in 1999, had reached only a fraction of the Nigerian population before the National Health Insurance Authority Act was enacted in 2022, making health insurance compulsory. According to him, the focus should be on protecting the rights of entertainers rather than treating them as beneficiaries of charity. “It’s not about asking for government, not asking for charity.
We’re going to ask for the rights of the artists,” Falana said. He lamented the poor welfare of many Nigerian entertainers and sports personalities after their active careers, citing the