Yes, you can still be healed! That sickness can still go away. Yes, there can still be solution to that problem. Though it is human and natural to want to give up on a situation after putting in everything to solve it, yet, we must also recognize that there is a supernatural power that can turn our impossibilities into possibility and our difficulties into testimonies.  As I write, there are people that have given up and are just waiting for the last whistle. They have tried everything, made every effort, spent all their resources and goodwill, prayers, etc, but the situation has just refused to change. They are just spent and tired. Even when you try to encourage them, they feel reluctant to accept that anything positive can still happen to them. Before I sat down to write this message I prayed for a lady in such condition. She has cancer in the blood. She has gone for transfusion before and she is due to go again. And I also heard the brother died of the same condition. As I prayed, her voice was very low and tired. I could immediately feel what she was going through and all the questions going through her mind. But I know a testimony is coming out of her situation because I meet so many like this daily – people waiting to die. I am waiting to celebrate with her also. God must stop this trend in that family - evil pattern. Yes, I have seen God turn the worst of situations around. With him all things are possible! Every sickness, every situation, every opposition, every confusion, every hindrance bows to the name of Jesus! You are being healed of that sickness now in the mighty name of Jesus! I said that you are receiving the solution to that perennial problem today! 

   As I was brooding over the events of the past week, the story of that desperate woman in Mark Chapter Five came to my mind. That is one of the most difficult and hopeless situations in the bible. She was very sick for twelve years. She was losing her blood (life) every second of the day. She spent all she had looking for solution, yet none came. She suffered so much and the condition grew worse. No improvement. No cure. No hope. And the worst was that even when she had a glimpse of solution, the surging crowd became an obstacle, a barrier to reach Jesus. My God! What can be worse than this? Does this sound like your situation? Look at it here, “Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed’. Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” Mark 5:24-29

  Some of you reading this message are like this woman today. You have been in that situation for a long time now. It looks incurable and terminal - the type that was described as being sick unto death. You helplessly watch as your life, your resources, your joy dim and slip away from your hand. The more you try is the more the problem, the frustration increases. It may not be your health directly, but things around you have become sick – your business, your relationship, your marriage, etc. You go a step forward and three steps backward. And no help, nobody cares to help again.  People, friends and relations are now tired of helping. You know that there is a limit to what people, even relations can offer at the time of trial. Look at that woman again. Did you hear anything about her friends or relations? Maybe some good ones have tried and got tired, got exhausted and then left her to her fate. They left her in her pain, stain and drain. Remember also that her condition was the type that will always attract unpleasant smell and constant demand for resources. So everybody ran away. Please, don’t get very angry when people desert you at the middle of your trial. It is just human. But let them go because God is coming to meet you. If they don’t go, if they don’t betray you, you may never know the real manifestation of God’s unfailing power and love.

   Now, what I love most about this woman is her determination and faith. Yes, the situation was very desperate and hopeless, but she totally refused to give up. She had no more relations, no neighbors and no friends to turn to, but was ready to try Jesus. And she had a crowd as a wall of obstacle but was also ready to press against it to snatch her needed solution. Wow! This is just what you need now to come out of your present situation. Pressing against the ‘wall’.  It is what you need to get your healing and breakthrough. You must be determined. You must refuse to accept defeat. Remember it is about your life. It is about your future and destiny. You must believe that this next step will sort you out. You must not give up. You must press against any physical, spiritual and psychological obstacle. Obstacles will always give way to those that refuse to give up! Don’t sit there and die. There is still a solution. Many have gone through this and survived. True. This woman pressed on even when everything was against her. She managed to touch the tip of Jesus’ cloth and the incredible happened. She was immediately, completely healed! I see you being healed today. As you touch him receive your wholeness now in Jesus’ name! God can do it again. We will continue.

In Nigeria, cholera has been on the rise since the 1970s majorly due to extreme poverty and lack of good potable drinking water. The probable reasons are the result of government negligence in embarking on initiatives that will improve the lives of an ordinary citizen. The majority of the people in Benue State, Nigeria, are rural dwellers who have little or no access to basic modern facilities; hence, the outbreak of diseases is inevitable.

Cholera was first reported in Nigeria in 1970. Since 1990, large outbreaks were reported in 1991, 1996, 1999 and from 2009 to 2011. Between 2004 and 2016, a total of 154,910 cases and 5,127 deaths were reported (CFR ≈ 3.3%). The largest outbreaks were reported in the northern states of the country. In the north, outbreaks often spread from Nigeria to neighbouring countries around Lake Chad (Niger, Chad and Cameroon) and in the south along the Gulf of Guinea.

A multi-sectoral study, linking water, sanitation, hygiene and health sectors, was carried out in the four countries of the Lake Chad basin, and especially Nigeria. This study aimed to propose an integrated WASH and Health response by first describing the epidemiology of cholera in the Chad Lake Basin and secondly by suggesting actions of prevention, preparedness and response to cholera epidemics. The Lake Chad Basin is a specific area with a climate typical of Sudan and the Sahel. The lakeside area and the lake’s tributaries as well as a marked seasonality structure the agriculture, pastoral and transhumance activities that take place here. In this essentially rural space, cross-border communication channels attract commercial activities. Population displacements occur between the several major agglomerations where dense neighbourhoods have structural difficulties with water conveyance and sanitation.

Cholera is an infection caused by the bacteria vibrio cholerae. More often than not, the bacteria is transmitted via contaminated water or food that has come into contact with contaminated water. The most common symptoms of cholera include extensive watery diarrhoea, severe vomiting, nausea, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and muscle cramps. Severe cases may result in death, especially among children and the elderly.

The bacteria that causes cholera is usually passed out of the body of an infected person via the faeces. These bacteria may then contaminate a common source of drinking water and become widespread among populations. Poor water hygiene and sanitation are therefore important factors in the spread of the disease.

Cholera has been almost eradicated in most developed nations worldwide. It is, however, still a major health hazard in sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia, some parts of the Middle East and South America. Outbreaks of cholera may occur after natural disasters such as earthquakes or after war when there is overcrowding and lack of sanitation. Travellers are also susceptible to catching cholera, especially if they are travelling to areas where cholera is still endemic.

Good hygiene, access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hand washing before eating and after using the toilet are simple measures taken that have reduced the incidence of cholera worldwide. Travellers are also advised to avoid ice creams and fruit juices offered by street vendors who display their sales goods in the open where they are exposed to flies and contaminants. In addition, travellers should not eat raw, unwashed vegetables, fruits, salads, or shellfish.

There is an oral vaccine that can help prevent cholera and is estimated to be 85% effective. Vaccination is recommended for travelling to areas where cholera is endemic, such as refuge camps and war zones.

The severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes from the body through vomiting and diarrhoea can cause death among victims of cholera. The first and foremost therapy is, therefore, replenishment of fluids and electrolytes in the form of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). An ORS sachet contains a powder made up of salts and glucose, which can be dissolved in clean drinking water. Antibiotics are also useful in reducing symptoms and treating the disease.

Although cholera can be life-threatening, it is easily prevented and treated. In the United States, because of advanced water and sanitation systems, cholera is not a major threat; however, everyone, especially travelers, should be aware of how the disease is transmitted and what can be done to prevent it. Cholera has been very rare in industrialized nations for the last 100 years; however, the disease is still common today in other parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.

The National Biosafety Management Agency has called on the general public to exercise caution over the recent cholera outbreak in some states across Nigeria, as the outbreak has now trying to become an epidemic as it is spreading across the state, just last week or thereabouts, it was recorded in Ogun state as announced by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, which occurred in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

Head, Information and Communications for NBMA, Mrs. Gloria Ogbaki, in a statement recently in Abuja, quoted the Director- General, NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, as saying there was need for carefulness, “Asagbra said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records over 30 deaths and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.

“Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.’’

Asagbra said NBMA, in collaboration with health authorities, was actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease. She also called on Nigerians to imbibe various hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water or using certified water purification methods. According to her, there is a need to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating or preparing food.

The Director-General also urged Nigerians to always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, cook food thoroughly, and consume it while it was hot, advised that Nigerians to avoid raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables, unless they could be peeled or washed with safe water and to always keep the environment clean and dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination

It is now imperative to all Nigerians to be vigilant and adhere to these hygiene practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from cholera. Nigerians should also to be on red alert and report any case of cholera to the nearest hospital to aviod or avert the spread of the dearly disease.

It feels so like deja vu the gut hurts. All motion no movement. The country of great prospects pushing its people to the brink of despair. Many who can pack and leave. The poor and more vulnerable bear a disproportionate share of hunger, disease burden like Cholera and Malaria that could be avoided while self centered people of power wallow in self deceit and send attack dogs after foreign media too far away to rabies infected. Then they end up in the dung heap of history more worthless than used toilet paper.

Have I seen this before. It appears that I have. A familiar road. Pini Jason of blessed memory who found his columns from twenty years back seemed fresh and current, named his book: A familiar Road.

On this familiar road I have been called names but lived to see their Marxism or Activism disrobed and uncloaked as excuses for grabbing and misusing power for self aggrandizement often in thoughtless process that divides people, embitters many and takes away from society the cohesion enabling of the advance of the common good and significant human progress.. This familiar road began from very early as I returned from graduate school in 1982.

At the time the fire was Marxist rhetoric. I challenged that we ought to focus on creating wealth, governing well assuring opportunity for all and a social safety net for the more vulnerable. They called me names. One so thoroughly frustrated as I went toe to toe with logic against his rhetoric declared me a Bourgeoisie apologist. 

Not long after one of the rank Dr Iyorchia Ayu became Senate President in the Babangida transition. We had become friends. So he asked that I unveil him before the corporate titans. I obliged with a huge reception at my home. Just before I stepped down to welcome him and the guests I quickly glance at a journal piece I was reading titled Marxism: the apologetics of power.

Nigerians have indeed suffered tremendously in the last one year. Not strictly the hunger tugging at our bellies. That pestilence of hunger was brilliantly conveyed by the whammy soundbite, “Ebi npa wa o” as  Lagos Island people’s response to the president’s fleet of gleaming SUVs last year. As an aside, permit the pun, I think that national soundbite deserves a Grammy. Lacerating words from those who rule us even rub salt on our hunger injury. They make Christians race for their bibles to read the famous and incredulous story of King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor. Some young men had helped Rehoboam design a Manifesto themed on how to effectively govern Israel. Perhaps, it was 80-paged, too? Or probably christened “Renewed Hope” as well? Whereas his father-predecessor inflicted heavy yoke on the people, counseled the young men in the Manifesto, Rehoboam’s administration should add to the yoke. So, Rehoboam’s Manifesto had the catchphrase, “whereas my father scoured you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” In a language devoid of political sentiment, it looks like the transition from Muhammadu Buhari to where we are now has a Rehoboamic flavour.

I was not old enough to cognize what happened during the Nigerian civil war so, pardon my comparative shortcoming. Were Nigerian lives this miserable during the war? Many have, in the last one year, died of Rehoboam scorpion stings. Many are in the sanatorium. Many depressed compatriots are looking vacantly into the sky and muttering lullabies to God-knows-who. Many husbands have lost their economic manhood. The sick who could not afford spiking drug costs are now at conference table with their Creator. The president and his kitchen crew have become Eddy Iroh’s Toads of (our) War. They grow “big fat stomachs,” apologies to Fela Kuti. N21 billion just renovated the Vice president’s palace. Our First Lady got billions of Naira voted for her kitchen so that tomatoes and pepper can be plenty on the shelf.

Last Tuesday, our president cavalierly dismissed our sufferings. What the hell are we howling about? “You are not the only ones suffering!” he admonished the Ebi npa wa orchestra. Though it was from a statement issued by spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, I imagine our president fluffing the arms of his agbada proudly and majestically like Mother Eagle. If you dissemble the president’s words properly, they are almost akin to Queen of France, Marie-Antoinette’s famous statement during the French revolution. French people were starving. “Let them eat cake,” the Queen had said, totally removed from the pangs of the people’s hunger. With hunger decking the bellies of the French, the Queen was literally asking the people the impossibility of making a gangan drum with the hide of an elephant. The president was comfortable comparing malaises and not wellness. Seyitan Atigarin of Arise television yesterday provided a perfect anecdotal explanation of the president’s infelicity. Aso Rock’s gaffe can be compared to the words of a gym instructor. To an obese person looking up to him for conquest of fat, the instructor asked the obese to look at the sea of the obese like him in the gym for inspiration. Shouldn’t he exemplify hope by citing those who had conquered their fat?

You do not need to slide the panes of your window to see tears, pain and anguish all over Nigeria. Sufferings are our ever-present guests. They sit at table with us, in company of their compatriot of tomfoolery in high and low places. But, don’t our elders say if the deity, the Orisa, cannot remedy a situation, it should not worsen it? When system henchmen ask why we make these issues daily refrain, we tell them that our case is synonymous with that of a poor man whose fowl was stolen by a rich man (èdá t’ó gb’ádìye òtòsì) and who, by that very fact, has courted to himself, not only the ire of the poor but a global amplification of the poor man’s fate (ó gbelé t’aláròyé). The whole world must hear of the inequity.

An example is the rude and unnecessary debate on whether our president should purchase a jet to add to his harem, pardon me, fleet of ten jets. This is coming at a time when “ebi ńpa wá” has become a national ringtone and Nigerians can’t see tomatoes and pepper on their dining table. We can however see a presidential “bùgá” and “bragging right”. Then, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, came up with a widely-adjudged common error of reasoning. In a reaction to criticisms against the purchase of presidential jet by this government, Onanuga demanded if critics wanted the president to die in flight like Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima and Ebrahim Risi, president of Iran. Let us not dwell on the flavor of indecorum and gloating at the dead noticeable in the statement. Known as “emotive bullying” or “emotional gangsterism,” that presidential statement was an argumentative reasoning that sought to appeal to consequence. In Symbolic Logic, Onanuga’s argument is identified by a Latin word called argumentum ad consequentiam. In such argument to consequence, the one arguing creates an atmosphere of pity. They base the truth or falsity of their argument on whether the premise leads to pleasant or unpleasant consequences, waylaying their opponent by appealing to the consequences of the action of accepting or rejecting their line of argument.

Nigeria’s case is like that of the proverbial rolling stone that gathers no moss, something I have elsewhere referred to as a multidimensional malaise. This was what late Babatunde Olatunji couched to arrive at the title of his 1978 Yoruba novel, Egbìrìn Òtè. Are you following the tomfoolery going on in Rivers and Kano States? In both, you can see the hands of the Leviathan. It is obvious that year 2027 is high on the calculations of decisions being taken on the two states. If human casualties litter the streets of Port-Harcourt and Kano, so be it. A president who desires peace in Rivers knows what to do. A major irreverent piece in a faggot, which the Yoruba call “Igi wórókó,” which is upturning the peace of the earthen space, (ààrò) is right inside the president’s trousers (sòkòtò) in  Abuja. So, why pretending to be going to Sokoto to find it? If Nigeria’s No 1 Citizen desires peace in Rivers and Kano this moment, it will happen in a twinkle of an eye. All he needs do is agree that 2027 belongs to God and not to any human, no matter their buga. In Rivers, he only needs to pour cold water on this Rivers hot faggot that took residency with him right there in  Abuja and remove it from the fire. Kano has a Siamese portent with Kaduna. The president only needs to allow that impish irritant he is afraid would snatch the race baton from him in 2027, who he is hounding in Kaduna through a remote control, stew in his own broth. The belief that the Kano emirate, friendly to the imp, will help him in 2027 may not necessarily follow.

One of the multidimensional malaises happened in Zamfara state last week. Governor Dauda Lawal flagged off the construction of an airport. This is in a state where the number of out-of-school children rivals a migrating colony of bats. N62 billion of state funds was the sacrificial lamb, oil and cowries propitiated to this god of elite appetite. On the list of the malaises of last week, too, was the appointment of 85-year old Chief Bisi Akande as Chairman, Governing Council of our own UI. Akande, we are told, does not even have a university degree. Don’t our elders say gold should be given only to he who knows its worth? Four persons on the Council membership list are said to be immediate family members/political fawners who hail from Akande’s homestead in Ila-Orangun.

I am sorry for digressing this considerably. Today is clearly no day for all those malaises, the peculiar messes in high and low places. It is certainly not an epistle on the sting or bite of Tanpépé, agbón and oyin which we have stoically endured in the last one year. As I write this, I am listening to Odolaye Aremu’s elegy to S. L. Akintola and Adegoke Adelabu. Both had died in the First Republic. While Akintola was killed in the military coup of January, 1966, Adelabu died in a fatal automobile accident on March 25, 1958. He was aged 43. The unfortunate death happened in a place called Mile 51 on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, near Shagamu, today’s Ogun State. In the company of a Syrian businessman, Adelabu’s car had hit an oncoming vehicle.

“Soldiers are killing people (àwon sójà ńpàà’yàn); the number of the dead is innumerable (èmí t’ó bó ò l’óñka),” the arguably one of the greatest musicians to have come from Ilorin, Kwara State, sings. It was a musical reminiscence on the aftermath of Adelabu’s car accident. This petrel of Ibadan politics’ supporters had claimed his death was spiritual assassination, leading to a deadly protest. Over 500 people were arrested by the police and 102 others charged to court. Odolaye’s most profound quip in that track and my takeaway in the midst of this Nigerian peculiar mess is, a tear-provoking happening that stupefies deserves to be confronted with laughter. It is same I canvass today. Odolaye sang it as “Òrò t’ó bá j’ekún lo, èrín làá fií rín”.

Each time I try to make sense of the various existential challenges Nigeria battles, I have, countless times, had recourse to Can Themba. Born in Marabastad, near Pretoria, South Africa, Themba was one of the most poignant South African writers whose works were done in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. An investigative journalist as well, Themba worked with the defunct Drum magazine. His famous award-winning short story entitled The Suit supplies answers to my worry on Nigeria’s uncountable malaises. It tames my wandering wonder. The story is about Philemon, a middle-class lawyer. He had an adulterous wife called Matilda and both of them lived in Sophiatown. Devoted as Philemon was to Matilda, the latter was always fond of turning his home into a tryst immediately he leaves for his office. On this particular day, Philemon was told of the escapade of his wife again. Rather than his wont of leaving for home late in the evening, Philemon went home midday. As the lawyers say, he caught his wife in flagrante with the lover. In the melee that ensued, the lover scampered out of the window but forgot his suit.

To effectively deal with Matilda, Philemon then concocted a strange and bizarre punishment for her. This was a routine he spelt out where Matilda had to behave to the suit which he hung on the shelf as a honored guest. This involved treating it with utmost respect, feeding it, providing ample entertainment for the suit and taking a walk with it, while discussing with it as an animate object. In conceptualizing the punishment, Philemon reckoned that this treatment would serve as a bitter and constant reminder to Matilda about her adultery. Remorseful, psychologically beaten and humiliated, Matilda eventually died of shame of her adulterous escapades. The treatment our Aso Rock tormentors and their predecessors inflict upon us is similar to Philemon’s. Were we at any time adulterous as a people? Is this their way of dealing with us?

Ojude Oba, Durbar and Musawa’s African Grammy

Last Tuesday’s cultural display of the Ijebu people of Ogun State in their yearly Ojude Oba festival caught the eyes of the world. Translated as Festival of the King’s Courtyard, it has over the years been one of the most glamorous cultural and spiritual festivals held in Nigeria for over a century now. Many people have queried the rich sartorial depth and affluence of the Ijebu in the midst of Nigeria’s national ferment. Among Yoruba festivals, the glitz and colours associated with this festival place it outside the ranks of any cultural festival in Nigeria. Usually held to coincide with the Islamic Eid-l-adha ceremony, the festival holds on its third day.

Oral historical accounts put the emergence of the festival to Chief Kuku Oduyingbo, who later became Balogun of Ijebu, and or Imam Tunwatoba. Either or both, having recently converted to Islam, gathered friends, families, and well-wishers in homage to then Awujale, Oba Fidipote, who reigned around 1885. It was to appreciate him for the opportunity he gave them to practice Islam without hindrance. Ever since, thanks to Dr. Mike Adenuga’s Globacom which heavily funds the festival, Ojude Oba has transformed from being a Sallah homage into a cultural melting point for the Ijebu.

The Ojude Oba goes beyond the glamour of the participants’ dressing, or the equestrian display. Today, it speaks directly to the cultural, religious, social, and military significance of its yearly celebration. It is attended by over a million people. Apart from the visual niceties it brings, it also speaks to the importance of group association as the bedrock of development. You can see this in the gathering and parade of age grade societies called Regberegbe. Established in the 18th century, the age grade societies are known collectively as Wompari. The aim is to bring about amity among groups and ultimately, development into Ijebu land. Wompari is further broken into Egbe Gbobaniyi comprising male and female (1962-1964); Egbe Bobagunte male and female (1956-1958); Akile of Ijebu (1959-1961); Mafowoku, Egbe Arobayo male and female; Egbe Jagunmolu (1965-1967), Egbe Bobakeye, and Egbe Bobagbimo. Most of the Wompari are top industry barons, successful captains of industry and A-List professionals.

What Nigeria advertises to the world in Ojude Oba is cultural elegance and communal cohesion. It does same in the Argungu Fishing festival where showpieces are made of the hugest fish catches. Also in the mode of the Ojude Oba is the Durbar festival, an ancient traditional annual Hausa cultural, religious and equestrian festival which began in the 14^th century. Native to northern Nigerian original ancient emirates of Kano, Katsina, Gombe and Akko, it is also celebrated in Sokoto, Zazzau, Bauchi and Bida. It rekindles Hausa’s ancient horsemen preoccupation in the Sahara and Sahel. Like the Ojude Oba, it is also a homage to the Emir and signposted by a colourfully mounted parade of the king’s retinue of horsemen. Musicians and artillerymen also add vibes to the festival.

Over the years, Nigerian creatives have also begun a renaissance to jumpstart the country’s creativity, especially in music. From African traditional music of Dan Maraya in Jos, Ogene songs of Oliver Decoque and Igbo highlife, a contemporary musical genre that combines highlife and Igbo traditional music, lifted into stardom by Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, to the Yoruba Sakara, Juju and Apala music, Nigeria has evolved into gaining recognition on the global stage. Today, our boys advertise their craft on global audience stage and harvest audiences in the realm of millions. Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, and many others are doing Nigeria proud in that regard. Blends of Afro beats and hip-hop parade artists like Plantashun Boiz, Def ‘O’ Clan, Remedies, Trybesmen with world class producers like OJB Jezreel. While they ply their trade at the global stage, these music wizards have also pushed our entertainment industry into becoming a major contributor to the Nigerian economy. Indeed, Nigeria’s entertainment industry is ranked “second-best entertainment and media consumer market” globally with the American music industry being the clear leader.

So, it becomes bothersome when news streaked in that the Nigerian government, represented by Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, is entering into partnership with the American Grammy Awards to establish an African version of the Grammy Award. In a Global Music Industry Growth by Region rating, while Latin America had 21.5%, Asia 12.8%, Europe 6.2%, US/CAN 4.2%, MENA 19.8%, Sub-Saharan Africa had a whopping 28.8%. So why subordinate the master to his apprentice? The question to ask is, will this Africanization of the Grammy bring any good the way of Nigeria or her music industry? The answer is no. The idea is at best imperialist. There can be no two Grammy Awards. The original, which America monopolizes, has a high, if not total dosage of American music flavor. It prides itself as “the music industry’s highest honour” whereas our globally acclaimed musicians from Africa seldom crack its nut. It is why Nigerian superstars hardly win the Grammy. To have dross of Grammy in Africa as Musawa is contemplating is to accept the superiority and then inferiorize our own globally-sought music stars.

As a music enthusiast, I am convinced that what the Minister should be doing by now is to partner existing continental music award platforms which will strengthen and not overshadow them. African music awards institutions like South African Music Awards, (SAMA) Trace Awards, Headies, Ghana Music Awards (GMA), Soundcity MVP Awards, AFRIMA and such like will promote the continent’s music rather than this neo-colonial idea being toyed with by Musawa. She should also devise ways of revving the strides made by Ojude Oba, Durbar, Argungu and allied festivals into making those crafts recognized by the whole world. I hope the minister is listening?