Peter Okoye deserves an award for his apology

When Peter Okoye took to his car to record that video, he had just one job, to deliver a script, well-written by his team of handlers, and approved by everyone else who was involved in the project. Behind that camera, there was more than just the gate of his house. An amateur director was involved, and did have creative direction for this video.

That director failed. From the fake look of contrition perfected after multiple shots, to the edited footage which was uploaded, everything came off flat. There was no ounce of belief in that visual oozing from Peter, neither did the opening face-rubbing act hold its own. Everything just read off as it would have been had an upstart from Asaba handled it. What was left was the opening ’51 Iweka Road Onitsha, 1/3 Pound Road, Aba, and finally, 9 Ebinpejo Lane, Idumota, Lagos.

Add that in with a closing “To God be the Glory”, and we can market that as a short film. Here’s the press release that accompanied it.

"My dear fans, P-Square is back. Ours is a journey that started from our mother’s womb. It was a journey that started from Primary School, continued to St. Murumba College, to when we were in University in Abuja. It was a journey in which we shared childhood memories and grown-up dreams. We are back because brothers do not let each other wander in the dark alone. We are back because we have tried the lonely road and it was not the same.

"I want to take responsibility for what has happened and sincerely apologise to you our fans. For supporting us throughout this journey we owed you so much more than what you have had to endure and I apologise for that. We are embarking now on a new journey with exciting new management (Jude Okoye), new music and new ideas.

"We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and support throughout this difficult period. Maya Angelou once said that brotherhood is a condition that people have to work at. We will continue to work on that and you can be prepared to be blown away by this new phase of P-Square.

"God bless you all and be assured that you have not seen anything yet!

Peter Okoye."

How could they have done this better? By going the traditional way. Instead of this easy route. They want people to believe this? Let them all go through the right channels. Get a media house to conduct an interview, ask them the relevant questions, find out why they came to this obvious realization that they are stronger together, and probe them about what the future holds. This interview will provide fans with more than just a poorly scripted 1-minute piece that feels just like a scam. That’s how you do it Peter! That’s how.

But as videos go, Peter Okoye deserves an award. He has worked hard at this, his team have created this job, put in hours of intense preparation and brainstorming to get this product. They deserve more than just a handful of comments on Instagram.

AMVCA needs to get involved: …And the award for the tackiest, fakest, and most poorly  orchestrated apology ever, goes to Peter Okoye, and his motley group of handlers. Long may their reign continue.