Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti may be known for many things, but it was never in doubt where he stood in the face of our unending national woes. Although it’s impossible to tell what the late Fela would have done, we can however boldly say he would have definitely gone beyond tweeting or displaying #BringBackOurGirls; and giving his activities during his lifetime, we may yet attempt to predict him, at least .
One of his famous albums, Zombie, could not have told this any better. That album, in response to the oppressive regime got the government on her toes. They responded by razing his Kalakuta Shrine, not even his aged mother was spared. But Fela would not give up. He recorded even more revealing songs – Head of State and Unknown Soldier, telling the military everything but sycophancy.
In the wake of the inefficiency that has characterized the present administration and the hypo critic opposition, Fela would have looked both parties in the eye, and then proceeded to form his own political party. Yes. With this platform, he would share his ideologies on sincere approaches to rescuing the Chibok girls, banishing poverty, addressing insecurity in the country as well as other national challenges. If the people will, Fela will dare stand for election.
Whereas today’s artistes seems to make light of the situation, flaunting cars and jewelries almost in defiance to the realities on ground, Fela would rather divert such funds and time to buying advertising spaces in daily and weekly newspapers, in order to run outspoken columns about the Chibok girls and the need to hasten their rescue, which seems to be taking forever.
Certainly, the plight of the Chibok girls calls for collective action. Our celebrities can go beyond the ordinary and lead the way. It is such actions that has endeared Fela’s name to millions of hearts across the globe and etched his name on the sands of time.
– By Emmanuel Ezeh