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The detention of @temsbaby and @Omah_Lay is particularly disheartening and I encourage both to be strong - they will be home soon. What is disconcerting is the hate fault lines this has revealed between African countries.. the exchanges between Ugandans and Nigerians...1
Has been naturally tense but reveals how disunited we can be as Africans. I gather work permits were obtained by the artists - and though “ignorance of the law is no excuse” there are clearly extenuating circumstances in this matter and the courts should have dealt with this .2
Accordingly. But this is a teachable moment for managers about the role of getting proper background checks done on promoters, getting proper contracts with the promoters with warranties,guarantees ,riders, insurance as well as understanding the local rules of engagement.3
On the international relations side, this is where our foreign minister and government must prove its mettle- in navigating and ensuring that the Nigerian citizen is treated with respect and dignity anywhere in the world especially with the continent. 4
Our artists are our biggest cultural ambassadors on a global level- they deserve a level of diplomatic immunity. @abikedabiri has indicated they are working hard to resolve this- we pray this happens sooner than later .5
The above isn’t an excuse for any person deliberately flouting laid out rules of a country-justice should take its course but it must always be tempered by mercy for first time offenders and especially foreigners who may not have the benefit of all the background information 6
Finally, to our Ugandan brothers & sisters , none of the artists deliberately set out to sabotage you guys - they didn’t know enough about the internal politics of doing a concert- but for what’s it’s worth forgiveness is human- and vice versa. Can’t wait to have our stars back!
