Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has berated the ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, noting that the development is a censorship and threat to the right to free expression.

In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, Soyinka condemned the action, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.

Eedris Abdulkareem

Eedris Abdulkareem

Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, had last week banned media houses from playing Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song.

The song, titled ‘Tell Your Papa,’ is a criticism of this current administration. In it, he directed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to speak to his father about the worsening state of the country.

In Tell Your Papa, Abdulkareem sings, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. Travel destinations

“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he continues singing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The NBC’s circular to media Houses preventing them from playing the song reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3. 1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Travel destinations

“The Commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.

“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding these standards are greatly appreciated.”

However, Soyinka wrote, “Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem.”

He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer,” the playwright stated in a piece posted on PM news.

While admitting he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.

“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.

He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.

“The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.

The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.

“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka noted.

1. He warned that it creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.

He went on to condemn broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, citing the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.

“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatized survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.

He also referenced the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticized the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”

He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”

Soyinka urged the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”

Founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, Pascal Dozie, dies at the age of 85 years old.

According to a statement issued by the family on Tuesday, the business tycoon died, on Monday, at the age of 85.

Born on 9 April 1939, Dozie was raised in a Catholic home, with his father, Charles Dozie, serving as a catechist.

He had his early education at Our Lady’s School Emekuku, Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

Seeking higher education abroad, he moved to the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.

He furthered his studies in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering before obtaining a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University in London.

Dozie played a critical role in Nigeria’s banking and telecom industries, founding Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank, and serving as the chairman of MTN Nigeria, overseeing its expansion.

His contributions to the country’s economic growth earned him widespread respect.

Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and five children.

Meanwhile,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Dozie family, the business community, and all Nigerians on the passing of Chief (Dr.) Pascal Gabriel Dozie, an elder statesman, entrepreneur, and banker. He was 85.

By David Owei, Baylesa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has named gospel musician, Asu Ekiye, Ijaw Language Ambassador.

Speaking on Sunday in Yenagoa during Ekiye’s musical concert and album launch tagged “Ebikamo Experience,” Governor Diri said the appointment was in recognition of his effort to preserve Ijaw language through his music and that this was in line with his administration’s vision to ensure the language does not go extinct.

Describing the musician’s passion for preserving the language as commendable, he said his administration has trained Ijaw teachers and would do more to promote the language.

The governor also stated that Bayelsa was peaceful because the Ijaw people were peaceful in nature and solicited their continuous support for his administration to initiate more development projects across the state.

His words: “I would have been here earlier but was told that the place was not ready. When it started raining, I told the Chief of Staff and SA Religion to represent me. But immediately I made that decision, the rain stopped.

“On behalf of our government of Assured Prosperity, I want to say a big thank you to you and your team. They say a prophet is not recognised in his hometown but here you are acceptable. When you are blessed by God, nobody can take it. Haa Izon! is a call for unity and not a call for war.

“I am happy with your success story as an Ijaw gospel musician and I have, therefore, appointed you as Ambassador of Ijaw Language. My office will write you.

“I challenge everyone, particularly parents, to teach their children our language and urge them to join hands with the government in our drive to preserve the language from extinction.

“My dear people of Bayelsa, our state is peaceful because Ijaw people are peaceful. Let us support the state government and the federal government.

“We have started proving that the best place to live in is Bayelsa. The way we have given Nigeria oil and gas, Bayelsa is also the cradle of marine and blue economy and this is what Nigeria is missing in Bayelsa. So, we thank the federal government for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.”

Ekiye thrilled the audience with his songs and energetic dance steps, which attracted the governor to the dance floor.

In attendance were the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, and his deputy, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo as well as other Ijaw music maestros, Barrister Smooth and Izonebi among others.