By Adefila Kamal
Nigeria’s music industry has experienced exponential growth in recent times, achieving global reckoning, the likes of which the African continent has never witnessed before. Whereas a few acts of the current afro beats wave have come to symbolize the industry, the media narrative around the industry often neglects to acknowledge the great performers from times past that laid the foundation for the industry that our current icons now sit atop. In projecting the industry, we seem to have forgotten that there are several other moving parts of the industry that provide the platform for them to showcase their craft and connect with their fans, such as promoter, sponsors and their hardworking teams. It must be pointed out that Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick did not just show up in the limelight as an astute sports administrator, but began as a student organizing events while at the University of Benin, which had superstars like the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti and other stars of that era performing to rave reviews.
In recent times, we have witnessed a disheartening trend among public figures, especially music stars, who seem to be under the impression that fame and fortune grant them immunity from responsibility and accountability. The latest episode in this unfolding narrative revolves around the renowned Nigerian musician, Davido, and his inexplicable failure to perform at the Warri Again Concert, despite being paid a king’s ransom of $94,000 by the organizers. What is even more concerning is his reaction to the situation, which exposes a troubling “god complex”, as Davido chose to deflect, issue subtle threats and blackmail the person of Mr. Pinnick, rather than address the issue of his ‘no show’ despite having been paid in full, with the organizers even going as far as booking a private plane to convey the artiste and his crew.
Davido, a musical sensation and role model to many, was enlisted as the headliner for the Warri Again Concert. Expectations were understandably high, with fans and concert-goers eagerly anticipating his electrifying performance. However, these expectations were met with disappointment when Davido failed to appear at the event. His absence was a disservice to his fans and an undeniable breach of contract with the organizers, as well as an attempt to discredit the organizers before sponsors and partners, doing almost irreparable damage to long standing business relationships.
What is more concerning than his absence, though, is the response—or lack thereof—provided by the artist. Instead of acknowledging his failure to honor the agreement, Davido chose to wear his larger-than-life ego. In an Instagram post, he indirectly pointed fingers at Mr. Pinnick, the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying he lives in a “glass house but throws stone”, perhaps cryptically referring to the NFF Headquarters’ moniker and the standing of Pinnick. He also made suggestive posts that he didn’t want to speak as though he would somehow say something that would impugn the character of Pinnick in entertainment which he had been building before Davido was born, while conveniently forgetting about his commitment to perform at Warri.
This behavior is indicative of a “god complex,” a dangerous mindset that some individuals develop when they acquire fame and fortune. It fosters the belief that they are above the rules, beyond accountability, and free from the consequences of their actions. While it is not uncommon for celebrities to face scheduling conflicts, professionalism demands open communication and a genuine commitment to fulfilling obligations. In other climes entertainers have been known to even offer to perform for free and offered other incentives to make up for their inability to appear at scheduled events.
The worrisome aspect is that many young people, who look up to celebrities like Davido, might interpret such behavior as acceptable. This is a matter of serious concern in a society grappling with serious issues of leadership failure and multiple values related challenges. When individuals in the public eye exhibit a disregard for responsibility and accountability, it sets a distressing example for the youth who aspire to follow in their footsteps.
The culture of impunity and irresponsibility that such actions encourage can have far-reaching consequences. It perpetuates the belief that success justifies any behavior and fosters a disregard for contracts, agreements, and obligations, which is evident in the unhealthy desire of our young people to acquire material wealth no matter the price. This mentality has a corrosive impact on the values that underpin a healthy and functioning society. In contrast, public figures, including entertainers, should use their platforms to inspire and promote positive values. They should serve as role models who demonstrate integrity, accountability, and responsibility in their actions. It is their responsibility to represent a standard of behavior that others can admire and emulate.
It is high time we called out this toxic trend, if we must salvage our society from the precipice that power without accountability has pushed us to. No one, regardless of their fame or fortune, should be above admitting their mistakes and fulfilling their commitments. We must recognize that Davido’s actions should be seen as illustrative of a deeper mentality problem confronting us as a society. We must remind our younger stars of the pitfalls of a “god complex” and the imperative of holding them accountable, irrespective of their celebrity status.
The youth of Nigeria, indeed the entire society, deserve better. We deserve public figures who not only entertain but also inspire through their actions. Our collective values and societal fabric should be built on integrity, responsibility, and accountability, not on the entitlement of a select few. It is time for us to demand more from those we look up to and set a higher standard for the generations that follow.
We must remind our celebs that while success and fame can be powerful tools for change, they are not licenses for irresponsibility. We must hold our public figures accountable and insist that they fulfill their obligations with the same passion and commitment with which they seek our admiration. Occasional pronouncements of large donations of cash, many of which go unredeemed, in the full glare of the cameras is not what charity is truly about: putting collective wellbeing and embodying positive values is the best form of charity we owe our country and humanity, to keep the doors of opportunity open to those coming after us.
It is also worth noting that Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the visionary behind the Warri Again Concert, did not embark on this endeavor to make money, as he runs several businesses under his Brown Hill Group that are doing exceptionally well in technical fields such as agriculture and oil services. His unwavering passion for his birthplace, Warri, drove him to create an event aimed at rebranding and revitalizing the city. This initiative was intended to put Warri back on the map, not for profit, but as a testament to his commitment to community and regional development.
Adefila Kamal, is the National President of the Civil Society Network for Good Governance, an umbrella organization with 87 member organizations that are dedicated to promoting societal values and good governance. He can be reached at adefilakamal@gmail.com
