PRAY, CHIBOK GIRLZ!

At the wee of morning
when you were snoring
They came storming
Fierce looking men shooting
You were screaming
Your under-wears missing
Police! Police! You were screaming
Mama! Papa! you kept calling
But No help coming

In the truck you were dragged
To a destination you cannot comprehend
Leaving your parent behind
With incessant fears on their mind

Yes, the whole country is wailing
The whole world advocating
BringbackourGirls# trending
Malala came visiting
For your disappearance heartbreaking

Hey sweets, here is the reality
Your leaders are politicking
Taking the issue with utmost levity
No sincerity
They busy looting
Busy impeaching
While Boko keeps bombing

So PRAY

Its 99 days
That your freedom has been denied
Your virginity we cannot... ..
Your release I believe it’s here...

SO PRAY
Count your fingers endlessly and say Allau
Let your heart beat JESUS
Every day and always
For him to pave way
For He is the way
Because we have failed you
I have failed you
But God can save you

Pray as we Pray !!!!!

As Experiential Marketing takes the Wheel….

Growing up as a kid, we were bombarded with so much warnings and stories on how to become a successful man in life. . I vividly remember days when I cried loud when mum refused to buy me the best toys and best shoes, when pop refused to allow us attend private university or probably allow us school abroad. They kept using the same phrase “when you grow up you will understand what it takes to be a man with responsibilities”. I kept wandering what sort of phrase it was, and all I could discern was: two stingy couple who would not spend money on their children. However, as maturity begin to set in, I fully experienced and understood what they meant.

In the same vein, in higher institutions, we were taught all the theories of academics with no practical and you will agree that we come to understand the lessons more on the job, where experience is kEY! The best lessons ever learnt are from real experiences, the experience of the pressures of life, the experience to choose who to marry amongst other personal decisions

Comparatively, in brand management and as the paradigm shift from brand exposure to engagement is gathering momentum, it has become apparent to brand owners that, merely placing ads in the media for people to see are no longer enough to promote a brand. People want to experience the brand, see how it works, they want to see the value, have a personal connection before purchase.

The marketing communication atmosphere in Nigeria is beginning to be engulfed with brand experiential sparing from road shows, Campus storms, Door to Door marketing, market storms and other digital experiences (social media) that give consumers the proverbial “360-degree” product experience they can’t get from traditional media alone. Surprisingly, even the most conservative sector adopts experiential marketing. GTB, Enterprise Bank, Keystone Bank are strong in that regard for survival in the competitive market

 

 On global front and taking Coke as a study, Coca-Cola is consistently ranked as the most recognized brand in the world. They did the Coca-Cola Happiness Truck experiential in Brazil, The Coca-Cola Happiness Truck was driven all over Rio, parked in all sorts of places from busy beaches to remote village back streets, where it waited to deliver a little happiness to those who passed by. It managed to rack up over 3 million views on YouTube along with a tonne of brand hype.
As well, Diet Coke recently became the 2nd most globally consumed soft drink, beating out Pepsi. The “Everything Coca-Cola” store in Las Vegas is one stop shop where people are always immersed in the Coke experience. In this two-level, interactive Coke mega-store you can purchase Coke memorabilia, have your picture taken with the Coke polar bear for holiday cards, and even participate in a Coca-Cola tasting of their different soft drinks from around the world.

The world’s leading provider of experiential marketing content Dan Honover says “Advertising's golden age is officially gone and integrated marketing has produced a new STAR: experiential marketing. This form of below-the-line marketing isn't growing this quickly because marketers merely think it works but because they know it does. Dollars are not being pulled out of traditional budgets and added to the event line because of a marketing hunch. They are being redirected because a new way of marketing has evolved. No other activity gets consumers to relate to communicate with and allow a brand into their lives... all in one shot”
Really, why would I buy a product I know practically nothing about even after all media buzz, but direct marketing does it for me, it gives me the avenue to see how the brand works before purchase. Personal experience helps people connect to the brand and make intelligent and informed purchasing decisions.

Today’s consumers are highly sophisticated and can easily discern between typical persuasive advertising and deceptive ads, hence they immediately ignore and switch off anything that sounds like it. They fast forward TV adverts using their hard disc recorders, blocking or ignoring internet banner advertising, and failing to hear the constant bombardment of marketing messages they encounter throughout their daily lives

Experiential marketing by its very nature is a dialogue that consumers cannot ignore, not because they're being forced into it, but because it engages with them on a personal level. Undoubtedly, Demographic changes and new technologies have brought marketing back around to one-to-one experiences

Sometimes I ponder why pop hisses and switches channels every time he listens or watches anything that sounds like advertising and more often when I inquire he calls it “ Epolowo lasan” a Yoruba expression meaning mere advertising. On the flip side to this, I also remember a day pop came home with some packs of a newly introduced drink, he claimed it was so good and with low sugar, I paused and wandered who would have convinced him considering his phobia for sugar. He eventually said, he met some pretty interesting girls at the mall, they mounted a big rig and were engaging people, giving them a taste of the drink and giving discounts after purchase and he liked it and decided to buy more. Experiential finally got my pop, bet he shared his experience with our neighbors and his colleague at work. (word of mouth)

Interestingly, MD of Brand Reimen, Dabayo –Sanusu described experiential marketing as something that is not new, he added that “If you remember the time hawkers went into Molues and they start talking about a particular product. And magicians too; these are people who use knife on themselves they do all those things to catch people’s attention” This clearly shows that experiential has been one of the oldest form of marketing especially in this part of the world.
However that does not erase the fact that some memorable and impactful advertising, like indomine” “Mama do good” which succeeded to be the hymn song on every child lips among is one among many that can be classified memorable.

Traditional marketers view consumers as rational decision makers who care about the functional features and benefit. In contrast, experiential marketers view consumers as rational and emotional human beings who are concerned with achieving pleasurable experience

Apart from the fact that direct communication is relatively cheap, it is highly measurable than results from a traditional media campaign, its responses and sales is easier to measure and determine, because brands engages target directly and get feedback immediately which will serve as consumer insight.
To this end, it is positive to know that as a survival strategy to conform to the trend and the demand for consumer, experiential has taken the wheel…..whether you are inclined to this or miss the train.
#Myopinion

Bellz!

ALABI, the Londoner 2….

Hey  guys! Am sure your eyes are so glued , waiting to know the shocking news Nkem brought home to her mother....   Here below is the continuation of the letter to Alabi,  written by his baby mama.....




.
It was a cold morning
When other neighbors were still snoring
I have been too sick
My body so week

I tapped Nkem out of her sleep
Though she still wanted to go deep
I lured her to go to Okon’s farm
That there won’t be any harm

She reminded me of how dangerous it could be when caught
How Okon sets traps over his farm at night
But we didn’t eat last night
The next day is even out of sight
I took her off her fright
That all will be right

She held me tightly
We prayed fervently
She left quietly

Then I thought of you
Alabi, we went through all these because of you
Nkem couldn’t start school early because of you
She goes to school with no shoes

The day had broken already
Waiting for Nkem endlessly
What must be stopping her, I ponder?
Has she been caught I wonder
I couldn’t stand up, neither

All I heard was cries
Nkem voice I couldn’t miss, I cried
Seeing her, I shouted
Who did this, I wondered

Your daughter could barely move
She brought a trauma I cannot solve
She looked so broken
Her eyes were swollen
She was just eleven
Her voice shaken
She kept crying
I felt like dying

Then she muttered: Mama they were five
They held cutlasses and knives
Mama I didn’t steal
They asked me to go on my knees, I wept
They didn’t care how I felt

Alabi, she was raped
She couldn’t escape
The virginity of my daughter gone
I couldn’t tell anyone
No just by one

But by five
Nkem fainted
The blood under her thigh endlessly flooded

Alabi if you hadn’t gone
Your daughter maynt have gone
I sent you a letter
Stating all these matters
You didn’t care either
As if that was not enough……..
Then…….

 

To be continued....

ALABI the Londoner……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh you thought I could forget easily

The Hope and Promises you gave me so easily

Sounded Like I knew really

But I was silly

Because it happened right in my house

You sneaked in like a mouse

When Mum was out

 

You said, it’s not all about your age

That my problems will be buried in the sewage

You even said you will buy me car

We will drive together to a place so far

 

Away from my pain

Where there are blessing like rain

And so much to gain

 
Yes, you mentioned “London”

Where we will have our first son

Then you quietly asked if I was ON

You said you wanted to turn me on

That it will be fun

That there is nothing new under the sun

 

Under my thigh I felt your hands already

I begged you, cause I wasn’t ready

My breast you fondle carelessly

 

You kept saying “London”

Even without using a condom

You held me like a tendon

 
Then you grinded so hard

Leaving me so sad

My eyes I closed so hard

Taking away my virginity

Leaving me to uncertainty

 
That day you went away

Saying you will come on the second day

To take me to where you stay

 

Alabi, you never came

Mama whipped me with her cane

When my messes never came

Mama cried in pain

That you left us in total shame

Many nights I cried

Because you lied

Your innocent girl asked after you

I told her you she never had you

Truly, we heard you were in London

I wrote severally, hoping you will return

But we heard you had a son

Well, Congratulation 

Did I feel bad?

Well… Yes, because you said we’ll raise our child together in London no matter how hard

Then Nkem,   your girl came home with this news……

Watchout....

 

How did we get here…….. Nigerians?

I dedicate this to all the shady politicians, wey go promise and fail and leave the people in harsh conditions…. As you see me so, I no send, I no send you o, all the shady politicians…….

These were lyrics of my number one hip-hop artist, and one which you will agree is one of the best in Africa, 2face Idibia. He sang this track in his “Grass to Grace” album before the 2007 general election in Nigeria. For me it was the best he ever sang, the message was well crafted, to inform and educate Nigerians to be careful of whom to give their votes, he classified the politicians as thieves that go around with money to buy Nigerian trust, and at the end, he said he didn’t send them.

Unfortunately, this song he did with Soul E, didn’t really strike as big hit, it was played on few radio stations and was barely heard, other tracks like “See Me So” and “True Love” overshadowed it, but the message was so strong and one can easily classify 2baba as an artist who uses his songs as a tool to correct the ills of the society and more importantly to check the government in power.


It was rather alarming and quite shameful that my own 2face Idibia was caught performing at the 100 Years Nigeria Centenary Celebration held recently in Abuja, I couldn’t have believed that 2face will join to gallivant just a day after the deadly Boko Haram massacred over 42 children and abducted  20 girls to a location yet unfathomed. 

What exactly are we celebrating?  When the whole nation is supposed to be mourning, when likes of 2face, Wizkid, Omawunmi and other artists are meant to join the fight, through their vocals, to condemn the lethal acts and make it a national struggle.

Maybe these dudes need to ask some artists who went to Aso Rock some years ago to perform in the popular Abacha rally, some of many we know still struggle to find their feet as Nigerians tune off their sparks.

I feel artists are supposed to be social fighters, change-agents, opinion leaders and brand ambassadors against corruption, injustice, among other abnormalities exhibited by our government. If all we hear in clubs, shows, eateries, offices, shops is about fight against bad government, then we will begin to act it and eventually win it in no time.  Anyone who says such songs won’t make a hit should ask what made Fela’s music so popular across the globe.

Few days ago, an estimated number of 37 people werekilled in Adamawa, while three banks were razed in the same state. We keep losing souls on a daily basis, Boko Haram attack isn’t news again to our ears, it’s already part of us, and government absolutely doing nothing in my opinion as it only gets worse.  

Yet, corruption is being practiced in broad day light, former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah till today hasn’t been prosecuted for allegation of corruption and embezzlement; over N20 billion is still missing from the coffers of NNPC.  Fuel scarcity everywhere in the country because we demanded for our 20 billion , and here we are celebrating 100 years of amalgamation, but how does that affect me, or affect the woman that sells bread on the street or the guy that sleeps under the bridge, how?

A typical Nigerian that works 8a.m to 5pm, wakes up 4am in the morning, leaves home 5am without even seeing his children, he gets to work so early to avoid the incessant traffic. He puts in his best at work, he dashes home tiredly, spends 3 hours or more in traffic which automatically increases the stress, he looks forward to getting home at least to retire.

 On getting home, there’s no power supply, Nepa bills welcome him at his door step, he can’t sleep all night because of heat,  he gets up early enough to fetch water in a well since water is a fortune, sleeps all through in the bus, driver passes his bus-stop, and  ends up walking back to his office.
Doctors need not tell him that he will die very soon, or might likely use all his salary visiting the hospital and buying drugs that’s if he realizes he needs medical attention.  Yet, our leaders do not care about the masses, wasting our tax to enrich themselves and their families.  What a life!

As against the risk being misunderstood, this piece is not to mock or cast aspersion on 2face, Wiz Kid, or Funke Akindele & IK Osakioduwa whom anchored the event.  People close to me know am a die-hard fan of 2baba, but let’s practice what we preach, generations are been killed and we think our future is secured.  

Let’s call a spade a spade, if everyone rejects the award given to them, and let them know we are not happy with their style of leadership; we make them understand that we are mourning, and this isn’t time for celebration. Money will come and go, but the songs we sing will remain evergreen and generations to come will pick it from where we stop and the trend continues.

Yes, 100 years Nigeria Centenary Celebration is supposed to be a national event to celebrate the Amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria by Lord Lugard in 1914, if you ask me - wrong timing, is that our problem?

Well, these are my latent thoughts

 

God bless Nigeria, I rest my case.