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The Enugu concert rape syndrome

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By Winifred Asogwa (Enugu)

Social media have been aflame the past few days with rants about the flavour live concert at Okpara square Enugu, where not less than twenty (20) female fans were ‘allegedly’ raped.

Rape is a serious crime against humanity. It touches the very sensibility of the raped while the rapist reflects the decadence in the minds of some people. It beats one’s imagination how a man would jump on a lady without her consent. No gesture supports such devilish tendencies.

The bedrock of the conversation lies in the fact that; this is not the first time female fans are been sexually harassed at a concert, it’s gradually turning into a norm. Tufiakwa! (God forbid)

Reports of rape at both PhynoFest 2016 and 2017 were recorded; we have now witnessed a similar repetition at flavour’s live concert. The almost sad side of this story is that these concerts were ‘free’; the fans were required to pay zero naira to attend. The artists see these free concerts as a ‘give back initiative’ to their fans and the city of their birth.

But when ‘giving back’ opens the door for women to be sexually harassed, it begs the question ‘is it giving or taking’?

It’s easy to blame the organizer of the concert, after all people showed up to watch him perform but throwing sticks and stones won’t help, who really is to blame?
I’ll take this from a three pronged approach. The media, security/crowd management and the artist.

When it comes to the media industry in Nigeria, Lagos state can be termed the ‘big brother’, where everything happens. It’s usually said that if you want to blow in entertainment, find yourself in Lagos.

As much as Lagos is the ‘big brother’ there are also smaller/younger brothers who are aspiring to do what Lagos does. Cities like Abuja, Port-harcourt, Calabar, Enugu etc are aspiring to nurture the fragile entertainment industry in their respective cities. When these smaller brothers hold concerts and shows and it’s not 100% perfect, are they not supposed to be encouraged rather than getting bashed?

The trace TV guy that made that very sensitive tweet about the concert turning into a rescue mission for women was slightly ‘off-tune’. He even went ahead to say he’s never visiting Enugu again, like your visit added to our GDP.

With no intent to defend the evil rape perpetrators, is he trying to say there have NEVER been a rape incident at all the concerts held in Lagos state?

After all, the official rape statistics 2015 as reported by Punch Newspapers show that Lagos was on top of the rape record in 2015 with 513 cases, followed by Delta, 205; Kano 189; Katsina 120; Ogun 76; Ondo 68 and Edo, 55.

Others are FCT 44; Ebonyi 41; Cross River 40; Bauchi 38; Oyo 35; Kaduna 33; Anambra 33; Bayelsa 31; Niger 29; Enugu 28; Plateau 25; Yobe and Zamfara, 21; Borno 20; Jigawa 18; Imo 17, Kogi 15 and Gombe 12.”

This brings us to the role of our media. One ‘Lagos person’ came and said something about the South East and we’re not able to overturn that. Can a south east influencer go to Lagos, make a tweet and it sparks conversation? Where are the south east bloggers, influencers, media majesties, on air personalities?

The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.

I heard some very funny arguments that the reason showbiz doesn’t grow in Enugu is because we feed on the cycle that the show must be free, a mentality that roadblock birthed.

Also that artists want big crowds for the sake of numbers. There is nothing wrong with wanting big crowds but a lot goes into crowd management/control/security. Enugu is not the only state to hold concerts, why don’t we hear rape cases in other places? It’s obvious more attention is paid to stage and artiste management than crowd management/security.

The artist in question is yet to release a statement. I’m sure he’s heard people are making allegations that his female fans were raped at his concert but he’s decided to keep mute. Has he no media team? To control what’s going on, to protect his brand? Or he just doesn’t care; he’s waiting for it to blow over like everything in Nigeria does.

Rape is a very serious issue, the victims have to deal with psychological trauma for the rest of their lives, at least show that you care.

If we must harness the entertainment, tourism and hospitality potentials of the Enugu State necessary steps must be taken to ensure such case as rape isn’t repeated in the future.

For now, let the he security agencies do the needful by apprehending and prosecuting the rapists; hence we become laughing stock among other States in Nigeria.

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

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Sinach to Feature in Global Christian Event, Gather25

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Gather25 and Sinach

Gather25, a trailblazing global gathering of Christians founded by Jennie Allen, has unveiled the first of its contributors for the upcoming event in 2025.

Featuring a multi-denominational, international line up of Christian teachers, storytellers and prayer guides from six continents, Gather25 aims to showcase powerful stories of how God is transforming communities and hearts around the world.

The event, with a schedule that will circumnavigate the globe over 25 hours, celebrates a line-up of individuals who bring a unique perspective of how God is moving in their context.

Gather25 and Sinach
Nigerian gospel singer Sinach to feature at Gather25

Together, they are partnering with Gather25’s mission to mobilize Christians everywhere to reach the 5.5 billion people on earth who have yet to encounter Jesus.

Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours.

The teachers, storytellers, and prayer guides include:

●        Jennie Allen – Founder & Visionary of Gather25, Bible teacher, author, the visionary behind IF:Gathering.

●       Pastor Charles Mugisha – Founder and President of Africa New Life Ministries.

●       Matt Maher – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Lord, I Need You.”

●       Mark Varughese – Founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity.

●       Matt Redman – Double GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter.

●       Priscilla Shirer – A New York Times Best-Selling author and actress featuring in movies like War Room.

Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen

●       Sinach – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Way Maker.”

●       Tasha Cobbs Leonard – GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter.

●       Rorisang Thandekiso – A multi-talented media personality and musician, and the founder of “Jesus This Jesus That.”

●       Rick Warren – Author of The Purpose Driven Life, his books have been translated into 200 languages.

Gather25 is a global collaboration of Christians who are instrumental in connecting the global church from the ground up. Pastor Charles Mugisha said, “Gather25 gives, for the first time in history, Africa a voice to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ more than ever before.”

“I have a feeling in my heart that (Gather25) is a God thing. The Bible commissions us to go and take the Gospel to all nations and for the first time, I see that we can actually take the Gospel to all the nations in 25 hours. That’s exciting for me!”

The event will kick off in the United States at 01:00 UTC on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and will journey around the globe, concluding in Peru at 02:00 UTC on Sunday, 2nd March 2025. This continuous broadcast is designed to empower Christians worldwide through inspiring stories and testimonies of God’s work across nations. Each session will be hosted from a different country, featuring teaching, worship, stories and prayers from various locations within each session. The event will also unveil never-before-heard accounts from the underground church.

Join us for this global event to connect with believers from every corner of the world. Find out about Gather25, and sign up for more resources at: gather25.com 

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Remembering Iyalode of Yorubaland

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By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

Precisely 365 days today at about 6. 45am, a telephone call I first received came from the home of Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson.

My heart skipped…and listening to the voice from other end of the phone, It was sad news… Mama has gone to the Lord.

Honestly, I was immediately confused and still on my Jalamia, (Pyjamas) I drove straight to her private residence at Quarry Road in Abeokuta. Reality dawned on me on arrival and I couldn’t hold back tears which rolled down my face and I became speechless.

It was a Saturday I used to appear on live radio program on fresh F.M between 9-11am. When I regained my consciousness, I put a call across to management of the station, that I can’t make it because I was bereaved. As I was still trying to comport myself and further regain my strength as a man, there were torrential phone calls from my colleagues in the pen profession, knowing that I was her media adviser, trying to confirm authenticity of the sad news.

 I had no choice I had to issue a press statement early enough to avoid speculations and wrong news dissemination. I must confess in my career as journalist of over three decades that was my first time I will be writing a press statement on a demise of any individual.

 I must again openly say this, late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, I knew for over 30 years was my great benefactor and I will continue to appreciate her even in death. She was there for me all time, a reliable mother, a sister and aunty from another womb.

 I have no regret knowing her, if there is opportunity to keep relationship in heaven, I will keep that relationship with Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson (Omo Jiboku Tanatana). Its exactly a year today you left this sinful world to rest in the arms of the Lord. The legacies you left behind speak volume. I pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu

Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder of Penpushing Media and Media Adviser to late Iyalode of Yorubland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson

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Why I’m Not Ready For Kids – Singer Burna Boy Reveals

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Grammy Award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed why he is not yet ready to have children.

He made this known during an Instagram live session on his page on Wednesday.

Burna Boy claimed that his desire to provide the same level of love and dedication his parents gave him is the reason why he is not having kids.

Explaining further, Burna Boy said, “Why haven’t I had kids yet? Bro, it’s because I don’t want to have kids. Like, have you seen my operation? Have you seen my mom the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?

“Bro, I know I can’t give that to anyone right now with the life I live. So until I am settled and can be there for my children every day, every minute of every day, I am not having any kids.”

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