Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has condemned the Federal government following the recent ban on Nigerian Artiste, Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song.
In a statement released on Sunday from New York University, Abu Dhabi, Wole Soyinka condemned the move and its broader consequences, noting that it resembled previous efforts to suppress artistic and socio-political expression in the country.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka made the assertion in a piece posted on PM news.
He went on to express a biting irony, suggesting that the ban hadn’t gone far enough: “It’s not just the supposedly offensive track that should be banned – the artist himself ought to be outlawed. And while we’re at it, PMAN, or whatever musicians’ association Abdulkareem belongs to, should be dismantled as well.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
“The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that it creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
NPO Reports recalls that the The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had released a circular to media Houses preventing them from playing the son which reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.
“It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3. 1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Travel destinations
“The Commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding these standards are greatly appreciated.”