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.
