Tuface Idibia : Social activism and the curse of celebrity

Tuface Idibia is a mega star. He has redefined the music industry and led the penetrative crusade that has forcefully thrown up the music industry into what it is today. Reports show that this year Nigerians will spend $88m on music. Tuface and his monster hit African Queen contributed to this massive windfall.

Today, he is shifting his attention to social activism and as expected drawing the flak from the establishment. A Professor fired the first salvo calling him an illiterate and asking him to first go sort out his personal life before trying to correct the ills of the government. I hear he has apologized. I have just finished reading a report in which the author was wondering why an artist from Benue should use Lagos despite the Lagos State Government’s much vaunted support of the industry as can be gleaned from the just ended Lagos Fiesta for his protest. He did not understand why Tuface was not going to Benue to lead his so called protest. The Lagos State Police Command has also come out to state their position on the intended rally.

So far, some of his colleagues like Davido have all signified their interest to join in the protest, while others have distanced themselves. To me the question is very clear? Should celebrity ignore society? Is it correct for a celebrity who is expected to live within the lap of luxury continue to pretend that all is well? Finally, should we expect nothing from a celebrity apart from the ugly and naked display of wealth that we are inundated with on social media from some of this shallow and plastic so-called wanna bes.

Read also: If I Were God

You see social activism and celebrity have come a long way. Our generation was blessed with people like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Sonny Okosuns, Onyeka Owenu, Charly Boy to name a few. These artistes stood up to use their celebrity to fight for society. They endured personal damage and risk to their careers simply because they could not just keep quiet. Others like Majek Fashek and Victor Eshiet of the Mandators sang about the ills of the society taking the fight to the minds of the people. So you can see that Tuface is in good company.

For those of you who are surprised at this turn, you have really not been listening to his lyrics. His as been beyond the the lovely lullaby so that have brought him to fame. Ever since his massive hit, the African Queen, you will begin to notice the Fela/Majek influence in his song. His militancy has been soft but potent. His cry for societal change continues to lace his sweet songs, touching the listener and forcing a rethink. So, progressing to the street was only an inevitably.

Tuface should be adored for risking all he has built over a long and glorious career for the people. The risk of losing the lucrative endorsements and the continuous patronage of fickle corporates for the sake of a better life must be commended especially at this time of economic servitude. Tuface has stuck out his neck rather than continue to nuzzle within the ambience of luxury that his unique talent affords him. He has looked out of his window of privilege to see the widows, the artisans, the poor and the sick all crying and lamenting and has simon decided to do something about it.

His celebrity is worthless if he cannot use it for the betterment of society. His celebrity will remain empty if he cannot stand up like his mentor Bob Marley cried out in one of his monster hits. But in so doing, he should trudge within the ambience of the law. He must engage the government intellectually. It must be a legal rally with all permits taken . It must involve speeches, placards and abhor violence. It must avoid the flash points of violence and adequate care that it would not be overtaken by hoodlums who will now give the authorities reason to clampdown.

Tuface is on the right path. His platform and fame will continue to serve as a vehicle of national cohesion and unity. Just as his beautiful songs bring us all together in continuous amazement at his wonderful talent, this same talent will unite us as a country in search of true freedom. Let’s all rally around him at this point as he peacefully stands up for our right.

As I write, I watch him with the legendary Victor Olaiya melt my heart with the beautiful rendition of Omo Pupa on YouTube with over one million watching already and immediately realize the force that is about to be unleashed on society. And as Tubaba will say, ‘nothing dey happen, carry go’ see you at the protest.

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