Eedris Abdulkareem.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has barred radio and television stations in Nigerian from airing “Tell Your Papa”, the new single by Eedris Abdulkareem’s over what it described asits “objectionable nature”. In a swift reaction, the ace rapper carpeted the Commission’s action in an Instagram post as treating the truth like a “big crime”.
In the song released on Monday, the rapper criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government’s economic policies.
He slammed Tinubu for making “too many empty promises,” which he dismissed as “balablu grammar”.
He also called on Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, to convey Nigerians’ hardships to his father.
Sings Eedris: “Tell your papa Seyi/ Tell your papa country hard/ Tell your papa people dey die/ Tell your papa Seyi/ This one don pass jagajaga/ Seyi, ebi n pa mekunu/ Tinubu, ebi n pa mekunu/ Seyi how far/ Your papa no try/ Too much empty promises/ Balablu grammar”.
The song, said a memo dated April 9 and signed by Susan Obi, the coordinating director, broadcast monitoring, was deemed to be in violation of Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The NBC said it considered the song’s content to be “inappropriate” and “objectionable”. The Commission cited the song’s violation of public decency standards on broadcast platforms.
The Commission also admonished the various stations to “exercise discretion” and avoid airing the song to maintain “responsible broadcasting standards”.
Read the memo: “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. 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. Thank you”.
This is not the first time Eedris has spoken out against the government.
The rapper, in June 2024, released a song titled “Emilokan“, where he called out Enoch Adeboye, the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
He challenged the cleric to be “critical” of Tinubu’s government as he did during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
His song, “Jaga Jaga”, was banned from radio by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, but it became an popular anthem.
However, in his reaction to the ban on his recent single by the NBC the frontline rapper took exception to the action, describing it in an Instagram post, expressing rejection of a form of truth and constructive criticism, and treating fact like a “big crime”.
Eedris said the NBC’s action was reminiscent of his 2004 experience with his hit song “Jaga Jaga“, which was also banned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The rapper described Tinubu’s administration as “one of the most insensitive, vindictive, and grossly maleficent” in Nigeria’s history.
Wrote he: “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, Truth and constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime by the government.
“And this present government led by President Bola Tinubu, is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.
“Just under two years of his presidency, and the results are just frighteningly abysmal from all fronts.
“And this is a fact, known by all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe and political affiliations, except for the few happy slaves grovelling for crumbs from their paymaster’s table!
“The attached letter has been sent to all broadcast houses in Nigeria, instructing them to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table.
“Well, I have travelled this road before as this is reminiscent of the ban of my song, “Jaga Jaga”, by the Obasanjo administration 21 years ago!
“Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years?
“The Conscience is an open wound, only the Truth can heal it. Aluta Continua!!!”
In June 2024, the rapper released a song titled “Emilokan”, where he called out Enoch Adeboye, the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
He challenged the cleric to be “critical” of Tinubu’s government as he did during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
