Eedris Abdul-Kareem’s penchant for denigrating Nigeria, by Kola Amzat

In the twilight of ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo regime, a Nigerian Singer, Eedris Abdulkareem released a very damning record against the country; very destructive and disruptive.

The widely celebrated song, toxic and acidic, with a very dominant track- “Nigeria Jaga Jaga, Nigeria Scatter Scatter, Nigeria Suffer Suffer” clearly resonated particularly amongst the teeming youths, labour movement leaders and Civil Liberty Organizations (CSO), all with axe to grind with the then government for the reasons best known to them.  

The retired military general, during one event at Aso Villa, got enraged and tongue-lashed the errant Singer. He pronounced some expletive and career-damaging words on the Singer.

It’s important to submit that the lewd song still found expression till date at motor parks, amongst labour movement leaders and some disgruntled youths around the country who see nothing good in Nigeria.

About 17 or 18 years after, precisely this Year 2024, the same Artist released another effort that he opined would attracts and commands similar attention like the one in the past, very similar in contents with respect to further demeaning, denigrating, as well as casting doubts and aspersions on the country, in the eyes of the global community.

But, despite eruption of celebration that heralded the “effort” amongst his unpatriotic and deluded faithful, the record seems to have been dead on arrival (DOA), as it has disappeared from all the Medium-Radio stations, TV stations, and even Social Media platforms where it’s supposed to be continuously aired.

As I put on this Piece, the song appears to have found its way into extinction. 

The crux of this Piece is to let Nigerians be conscious of the difference between a government that is reactionary and the one that is proactive.

The ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo with the might and imperial authority around him then, failed to extinct and silence the “Jaga Jaga” effort with instrumentality of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and other machinery of the government before the music landed, and only opted to allow the music to live and consequently got frustrated after the music had inflicted incalculable damages on the image of the country.

In contrast, the present administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were not prepared to engage in any war of attrition and needless battle with a musician who have for umpteenth time found to be wayward and reckless.

There are very important state matters the administration is involved, instead of entering the same boxing ring with the singer and start exchanging words. 

The government simply moved swiftly to extinct the effort from all medium where it’s supposed to be aired and this is the situation till date.

Tinubu regime’s calculated and intentional response in this respect is a testament of a leader who sufficiently, psychologically and emotionally prepared for leadership of the country in all facets-politically, economically, socio-culturally etc, as against a retired military general foisted on the nation by the then military top brass.

The present administration’s dealing with this issue is an eloquent testimony of a functional, coordinated, purposeful and proactive government that is obviously accustomed to the nuances of the nation in all its gamut.

With respect to Eedris Abdulkareem who continually engrossed in projecting Nigeria in a bad light to the global community, it’s an auspicious time for him to do a sober reflection of his waning musical career with a view to applying break on his recklessness and unnecessary venoms on his motherland.

While some of his younger colleagues swim in billions and indeed, live in stardom and opulence, deploying the platform of the same country he’s maligning on constant basis, rooted in his own “world” projecting Nigeria negatively to the world, a country that Almighty God has pronounced prodigious blessings upon.

For emphasis, Whiz-kid is a global icon, with immeasurable wealth in all gamut, as well as edifices in all the nooks and crannies of the globe.

Davido remains a world celebrated Hip-hop singer, with mindboggling fortunes and riches, with eye-popping edifices at home and around the world.

Burna Boy is of course, also a globally acclaimed Afro/Hip-hop musician, with huge wealth in Autos, properties in choice locations across the globe.

The trio had prominently featured in Grammy Award Ceremonies in the past few years and, had even triumphed in two or three categories.

Olamide Badoo is stupendously rich, also with fortunes in edifices, autos, landed properties in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, and across the frontiers.

The young man have to his credit, many upcoming Artistes and Singers who he has nurtured to stardom.

It’s instructive to submit that all the aforementioned musicians are far junior to Eedris Abdulkareem in the trade.

Indeed, they were rookies and just been heralded into the musical sphere when Eedris was rubbing shoulders with American Hip-hop singers, who Nigerian Brewery used to invite to Nigeria many years back, for their annual event.

The fact remains that Idris has disappeared from the musical scene.

Was he not the same musician ravaged by cancer about a year ago who merciful Nigerians had to rally round by donating fund for him to be rescued from premature death?

If he must listen to this writer, the time has come for him to have change of heart, by staying away from his recklessness, undue radicalism and unnecessary tantrums against Nigerian nation.

No one fight his country and expect fruitfulness & progress. It won’t happen!

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.