OCCUPY NIGERIA:WHEN CELEBRITIES BECOME ACTIVISTS

OCCUPY NIGERIA
(When celebrities become activists)

Blood stains were still visible on the scenes of the christmas day ‘s bombings, when President Goodluck Jonathan removed the fuel subsidy on the first day of the new year.Accordiing to Tv personality, Funmi Iyanda:’What governments do is that on the first day of the year , they try and give hope to their people .You don’t slap them in the face .So it was very callous , the way it was done.It just showed a complete insensitivity to the hardship the people are going through’.Nigerians woke up on the dawn of a new year to hear the tragic news of the removal of fuel subsidy from the lowly 65naira to 141naira to the chagrin of the citizenry.

The undeniable fact is that people know more about Banky W than they know about G.E.J.Celebs have our undivided jealous attention.We thrust on them the weight of rolemodels for hitting the right chords in our music,crafting memorable punchlines in their rap, and saying our favourite lines in a movie.It was a great sight seeing our favourites celebs lending their voices , protesting against the removal of the fuel subsidy.Their engagement and involvement in the various protests and rallies, increased the social relevance of the issue, generated a lot of public interest and on the other hand will serve as a tool to increase their credibility.

In his Twitter message,Chocolate city’s producer Jesse jags says:’Where are my fellow artistes friends today?This is the only important thing now , no more songs or videos.Let’s fight for us..Nigeria’.The marriage between Arts and activism cannot be underestimated.Celebrities are towncriers who satirize social foibles in order to make human scoiety and living worthwhile.Fela Kuti, the Afro beat legend used his music to comment on the social climate during the military era.Little wonder his music became a driving force , providing the necessary motivation for the celebs and the other well meaning Nigerians to make their voices heard during the protests.High Life artiste Flavour N’abania released Ebezina ‘A battle cry’ in support of the citizenry’s fight against the government policy.

Seun Kuti, during one of the OccupyNigeria protests said:’its been a long time since Nigerians came out enmasse like this.I guess its because its not a sex issue or a tribal issue .Its something that affects us all.’The likes of Banky w, Dede Mabiaku,Kwam1, Funmi iyanda, Fela Durotoye,Bimbo Akintola, Jide Kosoko, Vector, Terry tha Rapman,Omobaba,Toyosi Akerele, Steve harris, Praise fowowe, , Ruggedman, W4, were part of the numerous celebs who leveraged on their fame and popularity pushing for change , advocating for the removal of the fuel subsidy.In his massively publicised facebook note Fela Durotoye says:’How will a wasteful government suddenly realise the genius of prudence and making the right investment decisions? .History has taught us that government increase fuel prices, students riot, labour union strike, and then after a couple of weeks , the government reduce the prices but never to its original prices’

Our celebs, whether from the music, movies,advocacy and empowerment arm of the nation ,have proved with their involvement in the fuel subsidy protests that they are not just about popping champagnes in their videos,strutting red carpets in their favourites designer outfits, churning out motivational messages, reciting their movie lines,that they care about the Nigerian project and the Nigerian people.They have shown that they are human after all and they feel what the purewater seller on the street feels, and they are willing to sacrifice in the birthing of a new Nigeria.This is the beginning of the change our nation has been crying for.I pray this is sustained.

Kehinde Ajose is a talent development coach and a media publicist.He is reachable @splendidkenny01@yahoo.com.http;/kehindeajose.blogspot.com