2ND COMIC PUBLISHERS FORUM

2ND COMIC PUBLISHERS FORUM

It became an established fact that comics have come to eventually come to stay in Nigeria after the just concluded 2nd Comic publishers forum held at the CORA office on Bode Thomas St. in Surulere. The well anticipated but private event schedule for 12pm on Saturday 21st began a little after 1 pm when Yegwa Ukpo the initiator of Nigeria Comic Book Showcase opened the meeting with a short prayer.
The meeting rolled on quickly with Ayodele Elegba (Publisher: COMICPANEL) moderating and in attendance were Sewedo Nupowaku, partner Revolution Media, Wisdom Omon (Stallion Comic) and publisher Guardian X, Peter Amadi (Black Horse Comics), Yemi Adeyemo (House of Treasure), Hanson Ohen (Prex Limited) and publishers of KABOOM, Tunji Anjorin (Panaramic Entertainment), Ibrahim Ganiy (IC Studios), Kayode Onimole (Crasher Comics) and Revolution Media’s Ayodele Arigbabu.
Issues discussed at the meeting cut across problems facing both existing and aspiring publishers in Nigeria and includes such issues as upgrading the quality of comic printing, comic distribution/circulation, print consistency, recruiting and training of more professional artists and writers, content censorship as it affects soliciting sponsorship and advertisers, government backing and off course the actual sales of comic books.
The issue of forming an association was also deliberated upon and while some like Ayo Arigbabu and Yemi Adeyemo believe that having an association will go a long way to sustain the industry, Ayodele Elegba however believes that having an association is not the paramount need now in the industry but a platform for comic publishers and readers to meet and transact business. In line with this he went on to mention the potentials that the UCPN initiative by Ibrahim Ganiy could have if looked upon as more than just an online community for comics but a medium to actually pre sell comics to registered fans. This was however not fully accepted as an ideal due to it commercialization and the fear that it might be hijacked by a few individuals connected to such website. Others acknowledged the benefits of this type of website for use in soliciting for adverts and possibly getting bank loans but believe that it should be set up by an independent body who takes it strictly as a business and markets its service to other comic companies for a fee.
The planned Lagos Comic Walk, 1st Naija Comic convention and the Annual Comic Seminar was also deliberated upon. The atmosphere was filled with a lot of controversies, opinions and unfinished comments and it was later agreed that the meeting be adjourned till the 25th of April when more detailed information about this venture and others could be well discussed. The meeting ended around 4pm with a prayer from Hanson Ohen and group photographs.