EFCC Partners Musicians..."It is a Good Thing" - 9ice

UNAAC Teaser Poster

Mr. Gbenga Aroyehun with Denrele Edun

L-R: Deinde, Soulsnatcha, Sokleva, Anita Oden, a friend, Mr. Gbenga Aroyehun, Jah Bless and 9ice
Faze is not alone this time: with Cobhams Asuquo

As part of its effort to mainstream the anti-graft crusade into popular culture, a delegation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led by Mr. Gbenga Aroyehun had a meeting with some popular Nigerian musical artistes on Saturday 21st June 2008, at the Blue Ribbon Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the convener - the EFCC, Mr. Gbenga Aroyehun spoke passionately about the social cost of corruption, noting that corruption affects two people - the beneficiary and the victim. “It affects us all and its social cost could be seen everywhere in Nigeria – bad roads, maternal mortality, etc. So aside from arresting and jailing culprits, the EFCC thinks that engaging all sectors of the Nigerian society through preventative means is one other concrete way through which corruption can be reduced, and a critical sector of the society which is highly appreciated by Nigerians including the Commission, and which the Commission can indeed use to strengthen this fight, is the artistes”, he said. Thus, the Commission intends to work with the selected musicians on a proposed platform - United Artistes against Corruption (UNAAC).

He highlighted the intended areas of work on this platform which he said include:

1. Coming together of the artistes to produce an all-time anti-corruption song or album.

2. EFCC taking the artistes around six (6) campuses in the six (6) geo-political zones of the federation. This is because since Nigerian youths identify greatly with the artistes and imitate their lifestyle, it will be easier to convey the message of anti-corruption to youths through their songs and performances.

In a goodwill message, multi-talented award winning Cobhams Asuquo, arguably Nigeria’s most sought after music producer today, said that he is privileged to be associated with the EFCC as he is someone who has often asked himself what Nigeria will feel like if we had everything in place. He noted that having everything in place will require putting off that one thing that affects Nigeria in every sector and has eaten so deep into the Nigerian society such that it is now a norm - corruption.

Abolore '9ice' Akande who became renowned with his chartbusting Gongo Aso commended the idea of involving artistes in the fight against corruption. ‘It is a good thing’ he remarked and also assured that all Nigerian artistes are ready to go with the idea. On his part, Soulsnatcha of Rooftop MCs agreed that it is a clever idea. Asserting Mr. Cobhams' opinion, he quoted Hitler saying, “Give me the music of the nation’s youth and I will take the nation.” He said people may listen to the rhythm of the music for the fun of it but at some point, they stop to look at the lyrics.

Messrs Ejeh Odeh and Kes Ewere of Tuface Idibia’s Hypertek Entertainment represented the multiple award winning superstar who was unavoidably absent. They equally expressed the willingness of Tuface to collaborate with the Commission’s efforts to fight corruption. Other appearances at the meeting include, Soundcity whizzkid Denrele Edun, Ayeni the Great and popular Showbiz journalist Azuh Amatus of The Sun newspapers.