Entertainment is now the new crude in town creating a crazy trend among Nigerian youths wanting to be the next Wizkid, Davido, 2baba or Tiwa Savage and the rest of them. They can’t get enough of the fantasies of being young, famous and successful, like living in luxury as flaunted by these artistes.
The youths listen to them and follow them religiously on social media platforms. It is amazing that in this era, an individual can have a community of followers numbering millions, who adore them and long to live their type of lifestyle. So, it now depends on what type of impact these celebrities are willing to make, especially in the area of curbing crimes and ensuring sanity in the society.
It is a fast pace world and in this jet age, for even secondary school students, “patience” is boring. At 17 years old, boys are desperate to make money. Thus, the now common phrase: “If I no make money wetin I gain?” and “If you no get money hide your face.”
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Nigerians, indeed, miss the days when legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, explored the power of music to champion the cause of societal justice, campaigning against corruption, crime and violation of human rights. He used the medium to achieve remarkable impacts that have remained relevant till date.
The rate at which Nigerian musicians, through their music, promote the quest to make quick money is worrisome. Such artistes should realize the power in music as a tool to achieve societal change.
Entertainment is a medium where people exhibit talent and express the beauty of arts in various forms, for the progress of the society. Celebrities like Falz, MI, Simi, Ruggedman, Sound Sultan, and Banky W have in recent times risen to the challenge and they need to be commended and emulated. They are among a few celebrities who have used music to campaign against the increasing tide of online fraud among youths.
The most recent is the video by Simi that went viral on the internet, in which she spoke about the ills cybercrime has caused us as a nation. She charged perpetrators to desist. The video generated mixed feelings among listeners, with some taking sides with the perpetrators of internet fraud, some bitterly discrediting it. There were however, those who valued the import of what she did.
We need more celebrities to rise up and use music to fight against the menace of internet fraud among youths. They need to inculcate the message in their music, as this will undoubtedly ensure that the message sinks in to their subconscious minds.
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Nigerian celebrities need to acknowledge that their music is powerful and it can achieve the change that we need in Nigeria. They need to continuously put out conscious materials and messages to encourage the youths to embrace hard work as the necessary path to wealth. This will go a long way in shaping their minds towards the right paths.
Sani Emmanuel,
emmyrhymes10@gmail.com
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