By G9ija
Dancers and disc jockeys on Sunday decried the ban on the use of public address system and music gadgets at this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria that the music ban at the ongoing Fair had affected their livelihoods and rendered many youths idle.
Yetunde Gbadebo, an undergraduate at the Lagos State Polytechnic, said she used the money realised from her dancing engagements at the Fair for her upkeep and to support her education.
Gbadebo said: “Yearly, I look forward to the commencement of Lagos Trade Fair because for the past three years various exhibitors engaged my service as a dancer and paid me between N2,000 and N3,000 daily.
“But with this no music directive, there is no need for our service.
“My friend and I are just roaming around the fairground with the hope that the situation will change for the better.”
Chidi Nelson, a disc jockey, said the fair was a once in a year opportunity for him to showcase his talent while also making money.
Nelson said: “I feel so disappointed with this ban on music gadgets.
“I earn between N5,000 and N10,000 daily at past fairs, depending on the company that I work with.
“It makes the fair exciting.
“Some visitors are attracted to an exhibitor’s stand because of music and dancing activities, and from there they purchase the goods displayed, but now the fair seems boring.”
However, John Malcolm, a European Union exhibitor, said the ban on music was commendable, noting that it was an improvement upon the noise experienced during past fairs.
Gabriel Idahosa, Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the ban on the use of public address system and music gadgets at the fair ground was to control noise pollution.
He said the chamber had educated exhibitors on how noise pollution was injurious to health and have enlightened them on other marketing alternatives.
Idahosa said a central public address system had been positioned at strategic points at the fair to disseminate information and play music.