By Sandra Kenneth
Popular comedian and former Nigerian Guinness World Record participant, Angel Attah, widely known as Angel D’Laff, has made a passionate appeal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, to rectify a major omission in the 2026 state budget.
Speaking on behalf of the state’s creative sector, the veteran entertainer expressed shock that the entire entertainment industry, alongside the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was completely left out of the fiscal proposal currently undergoing legislative scrutiny before the House of Assembly.
Angel D’Laff warned that neglecting the sector poses an immediate threat to the livelihoods of thousands of youths who rely on comedy, music, film, and other creative activities for employment and income.
“This is a call and a plea to the Governor of Rivers State and the State House of Assembly for the inclusion of the creative industry in the just-submitted budget,” he urged. “The entertainment industry in Rivers State is so sensitive and has contributed immensely to the growth and GDP of this state.”
The comedian lamented that despite putting Rivers State on the global map and showcasing its rich heritage, creative practitioners have been left to self-fund their growth without any state cushioning.
“We have been carrying the burden of ensuring the development of creatives on our shoulders,” Angel D’Laff stated. “You see major creative events in this city with zero government representation and zero government input. With how much we have carried ourselves, we need the government to finally see the importance of including this industry in its budget.”
He noted that the sector is too critical to be sidelined, emphasizing that adequate funding is essential if Rivers State truly intends to actualize its goals of becoming a leading regional cultural and tourism destination.
He therefore implored Governor Fubara and the state lawmakers to take swift, corrective action to make budgetary provisions for the industry before the 2026 appropriation bill is passed into law.
