Entertainment
The Enugu concert rape syndrome
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.
Entertainment
Billionaire Socialite, E-Money To Take Full Responsibility Of Junior Pope’s Sons
Nigerian socialite Emeka Okonkwo, also known as E-Money, recently expressed his sorrow over the tragic death of his late friend, Junior Pope, who passed away in a drowning accident.
In a heartfelt note, E-Money mourned the loss of the Nollywood star and pledged to take care of Junior Pope’s three sons, making them part of his family. This gesture of generosity and support has touched many hearts, raising questions about the importance of friendship and community support in times of grief.
In his post, He wrote;
“We tenderly remember your final words on the boat, “NA ONLY ME DEM BORN I GET 3 CHILDREN NA ME GO RAISE THEM,” and we solemnly commit to honoring that vow. Your children now find solace in the embrace of the Okonkwo family, and we, as members of that family, pledge to nurture them as you would have wished. Your absence leaves a palpable void, JP, and your memory will forever be held dear. Rest peacefully, knowing that you are deeply cherished, and may God’s blessings encompass your soul, your family, and all who hold you in their hearts. ” – E-Money
God bless him as he keeps his promise.
Entertainment
Nollywood Producer And Former Boss To Junior Pope, Tchidi Tchikere Pens Down Emotional Tribute To The Late Actor
Legendary Nollywood director and producer Tchidi Tchikere has penned down an emotional message for late Junior pope
He wrote;
“My boy. My son . Adieu. I feel like a man who has lost a son. You came to dance in my music video. I paid you and you said ‘Thank you sir’ I was touched by your gratefulness and I asked my production manager to call you back. I took your number and told you I d push your career cos out of all the people I paid that day you were the only one who said THANK YOU. So one month later and after auditions , I cast in a leading role in the movie DEEPER THAN FACES. I surrounded you with established actors like Tonto Dikeh. Uche Elendu and the legend Uncle Pete Edochie. Cos I knew casting you among them would make you fly. And fly you did. I carried your career AMAKA MUSTAPHA. BE NOT AFRAID. NEW JOY etcetera, and you kept flying.
“Others began to cast you and I was happy watching you grow. Casting you as Churchill son of legendary actor Kanayo O Kanayo in GLOBACOM’s sitcom Professor Johnbull was one of the best decisions of my career because again you showed your versatility.
“I don’t know how this happened, it s only God that knows, JP, for me you are not dead, you have only gone to another level. That is the only way I can cope with this terrible news. We will keep holding the flag until we meet again”.
Junior Pope and four other crew members died during a boat accident on their way to a movie location on the 10th of April 2024. His death is still a huge shock.
Entertainment
Crossdresser, Bobrisky Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Money Mutilation
Recall that on April 5th, Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned Bobrisky in court on a six-count charge ranging from Abuse of the Naira and Money laundering.
The court, however, dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime. The court also ordered that he be remanded in EFCC detention in Lagos.
First photos of Bobrisky as he leaves the courts premises with his luggage after his sentencing earlier today.
The popular cross dresser has been jailed for six months with no option of fine by Abimbola Awogboro, A judge of the federal high court in Lagos, over Abuse of Naira.
The controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky alao confirmed his gender during his trial on charges of naira abuse in court on Friday. He clearly stated that he is a “Man”
-
Transport5 days ago
Federal Government To Launch Out 2700 CNG Buses, Tricycles Ahead Of First anniversary Of Tinubu’s Administration
-
News4 days ago
Nigeria Has Secured $2.25B World Bank Loan With An Interest Rate Of 1% – Minister Of Finance
-
Tech1 day ago
Anambra School Emerges Winner In National Girls In ICT Competition With Groundbreaking VR Technology
-
News1 day ago
Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing
-
Spotlight1 day ago
Nigerian Woman Breaks Guinness World Record With 55-Hour Interview Marathon
-
News3 days ago
EFCC: Former Governor Of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello Fails To Show Up In Court, Says He Is Scared Of Arrest
-
Finance3 days ago
Godwin Emefiele Disobeyed Direction Of Law With Intent To Harm The Public, He Printed ₦684.5M Using ₦18.9B Says EFCC in fresh charge
-
Politics1 day ago
Enugu State Government Flag Off Palliative Distribution In The State