I SPENT my weekend discussing and hobnobbing with some influential and powerful people in the creative industry. There was Jide Kosoko, Hilda Dokubo, Eedris Abdulkareem and others. It was a fun-filled weekend and we had very meaningful conversation at the event.
Prince Jide Kosoko and I gossiped and laughed through our time together. Hilda brought in some humor and great energy to the conversation. Jahman introduced me to some powerful people who went on to become my new friends. Eedris Abdulkareem performed his classic songs – Mr. Lecturer and Jaga Jaga.
Some very lovely conversations were had both on and off camera. And yes, I snuck in the subject of mental health.
The weekend get-together was facilitated by my good friend and brother Ayo Ganiu on behalf of Unchained Vibes Africa, an NGO whose mission is to leverage the power of the arts to promote civic education, good governance, human rights, cultural diversity, and the spirit of solidarity in Africa.
PHOTOS: TAIWO OLUSOLA-JOHNSON
The theme for the weekend was Public Morality Rules vs Artistic Freedom. I joined a panel that was moderated by our oga at the top, Jahman Anikulapo. Aminu Mukhtar, whose film was banned and who was recently declared wanted by the Kano State government was also in attendance, albeit via Zoom.
Aminu made a film about sex education and that did not sit well with some people in Kano.
I will always insist that art and people in general should not be gagged. I believe that with freedom comes great responsibility and consequence. Like Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director at SERAP said, the right to speak freely as well as the right to be offended must co-exist. That is to say, I can say whatever I want and if it does not sit well with you, instead of shutting me up (which amounts to censorship), you have a right to seek legal action against me.
I outlined some ways to beat the monster that censorship is. As with everything else, I think that the Nigerian youth and artist must seek a seat at the table where important decisions are taken. So in conclusion, I urged more creative people to join politics and participate in the process of governance. We cannot influence policy change by complaining from the sideline.
So much was learned and shared. It was a lovely weekend. I should write a proper essay on this subject.
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