Fans should stop seeing celebs as activists

Today (March 4, 2016) four-time Grammy nominated Afrobeat act Femi Kuti was involved in a war of words with a supposed neighbour of his. I

The so called neighbour engaged Femi Kuti on Twitter and slated him for not doing anything about the bad power transformer on their street. He criticized the musician for ignoring it and hooking up his house to the transformer on the other street. The musician did not hold back. Femi Kuti blasted his neighbour, and said it is not his job to fight for his rights.

The Twitter clash between Femi Kuti and his neighbour highlights the mentality Nigerians have about singers, actors and celebrities in general. Nigerians are quick to wonder why celebrities haven't spoken up against an issue or problem when they have done nothing about it. The prevailing belief is that Nigerian celebrities should always be at the forefront of any movement.

The sad truth is that Nigerians are lazy and are afraid to speak up for themselves. "My people self dey fear too much. We fear for the thing we no see. We fear for the air around us. We fear to fight for freedom. We fear to fight for liberty. We fear to fight for justice. We fear to fight for happiness. We always get reason to fear" sang Fela Anikulapo-Kuti on his classic 1977 record 'Sorrow, Tears & Blood.'

Abami Eda hit the nail on the head. Why are Nigerians scared of fighting for themselves? Why do they put pressure on celebrities to speak about societal and political issues when they can do so themselves? This should serve as a news flash to us, Nigerian celebrities aren't activists they are ordinary people just like us.

The quicker we accept the fact that not every entertainer isn't Fela the better it will be for us. Nigerians abandon their responsibilities on the feet of celebrities who are just humans who want to be successful. During the last elections people slated celebrities for endorsing candidates. I don't blame them. The truth is if most Nigerians are given the same opportunity they will endorse worse candidates and proudly smile to the bank.

If we desire change in this country we don't need celebrities to be at the forefront of everything. We need Nigerians to be active and loud in their desire for change. Yes black and white celebrities stood with Martin Luther King during the civil rights protest, but they didn't stand as celebrities they stood as people who wanted equality. The real champions of the civil rights era were the faceless people who were killed, injured, beaten and attacked by dogs.

For the people who are quick to abuse celebs for not being vocal enough, name one revolution that was championed by celebrities? None. People are behind revolutions and not celebrities. When celebs march for a cause they don't do so as popular people but as everyday people.

The Occupy Nigeria protests in 2012 were led by Nigerians who wanted a better country and not by celebs. Yes celebrities can lend their voices but the real agents of change are people.

So next time your transformer blows up, don't look at the musician on your street to make things happen. Look at yourself and be the change you want.