Afrobeat Super Star, David Adeleke a.k.a. Davido, takes more than a passing interest in burning national issues. He has used his gargantuan platform to be the voice of the voiceless and has amplified the plight of the hapless masses.
He took it a notch further when he performed at the World Cup Opening – the largest gathering of a game after the Olympics. He wore a jacket with the names of the kidnapped children and their teachers and said they should ‘bring them back home.’ This drew applause from well-meaning Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora, as most Nigerian celebrities have refrained from commenting on the insecurity plaguing our nation, which is currently threatening the very foundation of our dear nation.
As expected, not all mortals are happy with success. In Nigerian parlance, ‘bad-belle’ people exist everywhere. Former Presidential Aide and Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri criticized Davido’s wearing of the jacket, opining that it will give global attention to terrorists.
In his words: “Yes, I am aware that you were upset at my appeal to you not to use an international platform, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to give publicity to bandits and terrorists,” he said.
He went further to say: “I did that because while your intention may be good and you think you are pressuring the government, the actual effect of what you did is to give publicity to the terrorists and help them spread fear, recruit new members, and raise funds,” “We saw that in Nigeria. The #ChibokGirls were abducted on April 14, 2014. The then Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, revealed that the military had located the girls and was ready to rescue them.
“However, after Michelle Obama held up the #BringBackOurGirls banner in May 2014, the publicity resulted in Boko Haram separating the girls into different groups and keeping them in various camps, while increasing security around them, which made it literally impossible to rescue them.
“Thereafter, Boko Haram’s recruitment was boosted, and their finances exploded, and six months later, ISIS announced that they had merged with Boko Haram to form ISWAP.
“That is what I was trying to explain to you. Just like Margaret Thatcher said, ‘publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.’”
Omokri further referenced international guidelines on terrorism reporting, saying organisations such as UNESCO advise against giving undue publicity to terrorist groups.
“It is also why the UNESCO Handbook for Journalists on Terrorism Coverage urges public figures not to grant terrorists any publicity,” he wrote.
He concluded by urging understanding of his position, stating, “I hope you now understand my point of view. Thanks again, and may God bless you.”
Omokri, known for his highly controversial remarks, goofed heavily on this one. Celebrities like Davido have the star power to use their huge platforms to draw global attention to national challenges. When the media, for instance, grants interviews to personalities or discusses challenges, are you saying that they are promoting the challenge or crisis?
What exactly is the turncoat and ‘food is ready’ Omokri saying? When a fully grown man chooses to trade away his eternal principles for a mess of pottage, his statements become something worse than those of a starving court jester.
It is so tragic that Omokri, who was initially a ‘well-meaning social crusader,’ could get so easily lured by the love of the belly and comfort and turn his back on the masses who earnestly yearn for a genuine voice.
Davido should be encouraged to continue his good work while Omokri should keep quiet if he has nothing tangible to say.
