Reported by Niyi TabitiWherever and whenever the success of the most remarkable electoral victory in the world (Barak Obama’s American presidential bid) surfaced in political history, the name-Oprah Winfrey would come up as one of the greatest influences of the period. Millions of people around the world hold Oprah in great awe because of the positive impacts she has been making through her lively and thought provoking television show.
In a place like Nigeria, someone like Oprah would ordinarily be classified as a mere TV presenter or better still an entertainer but in reality she is a role model celebrity. How far can our celebrities go to be genuine inspirations for positive socio-economy and political change in our nation? When it comes to political issue, do people take television personalities with so much seriousness?
Today in Nigeria, there are women who have indeed carved a niche for themselves with their commendable talk shows. Funmi Iyanda, Mosunmola (Mo) Abudu, Lola Oduba, Agatha Amata and a few others have indeed carved a niche for themselves here. Fine face, good smile and creative balance but the one billion naira question is- can it sow a seed of making you change your vote for the price of nothing?
Bimpe Fatokun a university undergraduate in Nigeria told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that television personalities like Mo Abudu and Funmi Iyanda are good brands for political influence but they have been limiting themselves.
“Look at it this way; they are popular and adored because of the issues they have been highlighting on their shows. For someone like me who has little or no interest in politics, I can easily be convinced to line up behind any candidate by these people because I admire them but I have not seen them coming out campaigning for any one”
On his part, Fola, a senior executive with a courier company in USA disagreed that some of the television personalities have not been doing much in the area of politics. Fola who was in Lagos recently for a seminar told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that most Nigerian television presenters don’t pretend about their political affinity. Citing the case of Funmi Iyanda, Fola disclosed that she has been known to be an all rounder, particularly in the media. In her newspaper columns and TV shows, she is known to have used it as a pedestal to talk about human rights abuses and short fall in the living standard of the people.
A popular actor told us there would have been more involvement of presenters in politics but they can’t openly campaign for someone they are not even sure would do their own will. Adding a humorous dimension to it, the actor said unlike America where it is a case of principle, in Nigeria politics is a case of figures. The electorates and godfathers think more about how much money they would share. So, if you like- put all the entertainers in Nigerian together for one man, they can only add colour but not change anything because the election results would have been written before the day.
“Does it mean actors and musicians have greater influences here?” gistmaster asked.
“Capital no!” he replied. “I told you earlier that what we have here is still politics of influence. Most of the musicians dancing behind politicians durning electoral period are only out for their daily bread. In America, most of them offered to be volunteers because they believe it is a moment for change. Niyi, do you know how much a Fuji musician pocked for doing an album for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State?”
“All the Yoruba artistes who were also calling Tinubu’s name in their movies also benefited from the huge purse of his political machinery. We can only have someone influence our elections like Oprah did if election is actually based on principle not money. It is a sacrifice that starts as far as the entertainer refusing to collect money for such ‘services’. I know that one day; one of these women would achieve that feat”
In a place like Nigeria, someone like Oprah would ordinarily be classified as a mere TV presenter or better still an entertainer but in reality she is a role model celebrity. How far can our celebrities go to be genuine inspirations for positive socio-economy and political change in our nation? When it comes to political issue, do people take television personalities with so much seriousness?
Today in Nigeria, there are women who have indeed carved a niche for themselves with their commendable talk shows. Funmi Iyanda, Mosunmola (Mo) Abudu, Lola Oduba, Agatha Amata and a few others have indeed carved a niche for themselves here. Fine face, good smile and creative balance but the one billion naira question is- can it sow a seed of making you change your vote for the price of nothing?
Bimpe Fatokun a university undergraduate in Nigeria told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that television personalities like Mo Abudu and Funmi Iyanda are good brands for political influence but they have been limiting themselves.
“Look at it this way; they are popular and adored because of the issues they have been highlighting on their shows. For someone like me who has little or no interest in politics, I can easily be convinced to line up behind any candidate by these people because I admire them but I have not seen them coming out campaigning for any one”
On his part, Fola, a senior executive with a courier company in USA disagreed that some of the television personalities have not been doing much in the area of politics. Fola who was in Lagos recently for a seminar told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that most Nigerian television presenters don’t pretend about their political affinity. Citing the case of Funmi Iyanda, Fola disclosed that she has been known to be an all rounder, particularly in the media. In her newspaper columns and TV shows, she is known to have used it as a pedestal to talk about human rights abuses and short fall in the living standard of the people.
A popular actor told us there would have been more involvement of presenters in politics but they can’t openly campaign for someone they are not even sure would do their own will. Adding a humorous dimension to it, the actor said unlike America where it is a case of principle, in Nigeria politics is a case of figures. The electorates and godfathers think more about how much money they would share. So, if you like- put all the entertainers in Nigerian together for one man, they can only add colour but not change anything because the election results would have been written before the day.
“Does it mean actors and musicians have greater influences here?” gistmaster asked.
“Capital no!” he replied. “I told you earlier that what we have here is still politics of influence. Most of the musicians dancing behind politicians durning electoral period are only out for their daily bread. In America, most of them offered to be volunteers because they believe it is a moment for change. Niyi, do you know how much a Fuji musician pocked for doing an album for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State?”
“All the Yoruba artistes who were also calling Tinubu’s name in their movies also benefited from the huge purse of his political machinery. We can only have someone influence our elections like Oprah did if election is actually based on principle not money. It is a sacrifice that starts as far as the entertainer refusing to collect money for such ‘services’. I know that one day; one of these women would achieve that feat”
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