Few weeks ago on this page, I poured out my heart on how I feel about the travails of the iconic songwriter and singer, Majek Fashek. I have requested all lovers of Majek, all lovers of good music, indeed all lovers of their neighbour to use whatever power they have to change the story of this most talented Nigerian.
My understanding of ‘power’ is the ability to make a positive difference. Real power to me is not being in a position to send someone to jail or to amass zillions of Naira or to build a multibillion naira estate or to own all the choice automobiles in town. Real power is not about the clothes or perfume you wear or the jewelry that adorns your body or the number of celebrities that attend your parties or the cognac they consume or the kind of women or men you sleep with. Real power is not the office you occupy if you do not use such office to do good.
Have you not heard someone boast loudly that he has the power to deal with you? Several times, I have seen people vaunt in public how they have the power to destroy other people and banish their families to eternal servitude. I just feel sorry for them. To them power means that they are bigger than everyone around them when real power means that you are able to make others to be as big as you. This poor definition of power may be at the root of our crisis of development.
If we understand power to be the ability to put a smile on a sad face, to lift a heavy load off some burdened shoulders, to revitalize people who are down, we will put a stop to a situation where, in these parts, an elected governor, four years after he thinks he has acquired power, becomes much wealthier than the state he was elected to govern while poor civil servants in the state are not paid their miserable salaries for months.
Real power to me is what Madam Theresa of Calcutta had, Martin Luther King had, Nelson Mandela sure had and Nigeria’s Gani Fawehinmi had.
From what I have been hearing, since my request that we help resolve the challenges of Majek Fashek, I am still to find anyone who at one time or another has not been touched by the creative genius of this extra ordinary Nigerian. Yes, yes, we may have lit a fire. There is no question that there has been an incredible out pouring of emotions. This is the time to turn the emotions into action. Many have expressed a desire to help Majek without knowing how to approach it. Some have asked whether we intend to tackle a widely believed substance abuse problem and how.
I wish to confess that while we have a number of ideas, we do not have all the answers but what I have found out over and over again is that where there is a will, there is a way. I am listening to everyone who genuinely wants to help and I hereby assure everyone that all their concerns and good ideas are appreciated and will be put to use. I would not have started this if I was not sure that there are Nigerians who have the power to bring Majek Fashek to live out his full potentials. I beg of them to act today. I will not stop begging until something positive is done. I also beg those who are not in a position to help not to discourage those who want to do something.
There are those who believe that they are God and are sure that no matter what we do, nothing will change. I feel sorry for them. There are also those who have enjoyed widely publishing photos of Majek in his most vulnerable state or making jest of him. May the good Lord forgive them. You know what? Rather than put off people like us, they make us more determined to get Majek Fashek to rise again.
There is no question that Majek needs first class medical examination. I believe that our great nation has some truly gifted medical practitioners who can successfully wrestle with whatever ails this still great performer and make him whole again. I plead with these practitioners to raise their hands today, get in touch, make history and give Majek Fashek a second chance.
I have also said before that Majek needs a home, a real home where he can be properly housed with the kind of personnel that can patiently help him find the strength to deal with that which holds him down. To raise the funds to do this, a “Majek Fashek Fund” account No. 0065103921 has been opened at Diamond Bank. Once again, I appeal to all the fans of Majek Fashek and all men and women of goodwill across our nation to contribute something to the account so that we can begin to make a difference. I am convinced that by doing this, we truly serve the Almighty.
Let me repeat that as long as I have a say in what happens, no Naira contributed to the Majek Fashek Fund will be used for any other purpose than to resettle Majek.
I have also reported my personal experience that recently, each time Majek Fashek has been given the opportunity to mount the stage, he has held everyone spell bound. In other words, whatever ails him appears to leave him while he is on stage and this guy can still out perform anyone and should be encouraged to perform regularly.
There are Nigerians whom I am proud to call my friends who have real power to make a difference here. They manage the Corporate Social Responsibility accounts of major corporations. Others are in charge of the promotional platforms of significant brands. The good thing is that they are all lovers of good music. I beseech them to make some commitment now and to come along so that we can rewrite this story. Praise the Lord that we do not have to wait for ministers to be appointed or for the members of the National Assembly to sort out whatever it is that has afflicted them. We can show real power here and today. Because this is important, please permit me to name names.
At Guinness Nigeria, there is a fine lady called Eyitemi Taire. I consider Eyitemi to be my friend. Eyitemi is very passionate. She can make a difference. At NB Plc is my brother and friend, Tony Agenmonmen and the powerful gang of Edem Vindah, Sampson Oloche, Ita Bassey, Agu Emmanuel, Ngozi Nkworji, etc. They have real power to make a difference. The wave making Ayona Trimnel is at Diamond Bank with the likes of Chuks, Tochukwu and Slam who is himself a talented musician. Ayona and her team can make a difference. Emeka Opara is a Vice President at Airtel. Emeka has real power to make a difference. Folake Ani Mumuney and Bridget Oyefeso are at First Bank and they can make a difference. I believe that Kola Oyeyemi at MTN can make a difference. They even have the MTN Foundation. Within the oil and gas sector, Tony Okonedo can show real power. My sister, Uche and Hadiza at BOI can make a difference. There are people at Etisalat, Glo, CocaCola, and many of Nigeria’s big brands who can step in today and change this discussion.
I believe that we can bring ourselves into a network of Nigerians who do profound good and show the true meaning of power. While I seek the goodwill of our corporate friends, my colleagues in the music industry must step up and show that we have come of age. I call on my friends: 2Face Idibia, Banky W, Sonny Neji, Efe Omorogbe, Ras Kimono, Black O’ Rice, Sound Sultan, Baba Dee, Lagbaja, Don T, Jimmy Jat, Yinka Davis, Olamide, Azeezat, KSB, Tiwa, Chidimma, M.I., Bright Chimezie, TWO, Davido and you may please add your name. I know that there are many of you that I can count on. Let us stop talking. Let us take this bull by the horn and show what real power means.
See you next week.
