Music is a very distinct and beautiful form of art that usually carries a blend of voices and and musical instruments to deliver pleasure to the human ears and mind. It can be used to pass strong or obscene messages which can easily set one’s mood in a certain way. Let’s just say music can effortlessly be the choirmaster to an orchestra of human emotions.
Over time, one could say Nigerians have come to appreciate songs from the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Eedris Abdulkareem, Falz and the likes, for making music that either seeks to correct societal ills or liberate minds of citizens against oppression from the political class.
However, you may have never heard such songs on the radio because some of them have been deemed “unsuitable” by the broadcast regulators for a plethora of reasons. One of such, is the street anthem by Eedeis Abdulkareem which first debuted in the early 2000s titled “jaga jaga”. A word in pidgin which describes “nonsense” or “ineptitude” depending on how one chooses to contextualize its use.
Little wonder certain political figures were reportedly displeased with the controversial content of a song some still believe mirrors the Nigerian society till this day.
A few days ago, the same Eedris Abdulkareem released a new version of the song he titled “jaga jaga reloaded”. On first listen, it is not hard to understand that Mr. Abdulkareem is just as fed up as the average Nigerian on the streets. One thing that has gotten many music lovers talking, is the mention of the name of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo for allegedly being corrupt and of course, the minister’s immediate counter-strike to clarify issues which was indeed interesting to see.
The minister quickly took to social media to explain to the world how Mr. Abdulkareem had lobbied to make a campaign song for President Buhari for a certain fee years ago but was not indulged and with excerpts from WhatsApp chats, the minister tried to convince all that the musician who famously parades himself as an activist had his activism for sale.
I must tell you that judging from reactions, it is clear that while some may have been disappointed, many are indeed not suprised by the musician’s dark secret which has now reached the shores of public domain.
Although the minister’s revelation may have shocked a few Nigerians, the conversation out there is one garnished in sarcasm as some wonder how Minister Keyamo wants us to use the former comments or behaviour of Eedris Abdulkareem to judge him after the presidency recently supported the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami by saying that Nigerians should learn to forgive his past comments and move on.
On the other hand, Nigerians who feel “what is good for the goose should also be befitting for the gander”, are trying to understand the commonsense in trying to hold a musician by higher moral standards than we do a minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria?
I mean, last time we checked, the jaga jaga crooner is a private citizen who does not owe Nigerians loyalty since he did not swear any oath to protect and defend the constitution of our land. Why is it important to jugde him by his past when he could just apologize and change his views like the presidency said last week in defense of Mr. Pantami.
Or are we saying a musician can be held accountable for hypocrisy but a sitting minister should not be called to account for past comments that many have found to be below of the office he currently holds?