OLODO UPRISING: A MIRROR OF NIGERIAN SOCIETY

The day I heard the phrase, Olodo uprising and the conversation surrounding it, I smiled, showcasing my white crooked teeth. Not because there was a comedic element in the phrase but because I had the same conversation with my coursemates a few months earlier. “The kind of people we make celebrities in this country says a lot about who we're,” I told them. “Why do you say that, Ola?” One of them asked “Because most of the people we make celebrities offer little or no value beyond entertainment. We reward trends over talent, noise over knowledge and virality over intellectual contribution.” I paused….. “Let's take “Keller” as a case of study. What's he doing that contributes meaningfully to society? We have turned foolishness into a ladder to fame. This shouldn't be happening in a country that claims to value quality over quantity.” They exchanged amusing looks. Then one of them replied, “You are jealous of keller. With all that stupidity, he is more successful than you. It doesn't matter as long as it's paying the bill and he's not doing anything illegal.” I didn't bother to argue further because I knew it would be futile. Because, in today's world, once someone is successful, many assume that they're beyond criticism. However, success shouldn't be a shield against having an honest conversation. Besides, success is relative and everyone should define what success is for themselves, rather than accepting what the society stipulates. Well, I left the conversation convinced that I had made a valid point. So, when I heard a rapper point out the same loophole in Nigerian society through the phrase, “Olodo uprising,” I let out a smile, knowing that I was not alone, knowing that I have been vindicated. The phrase revealed deeper issue, forcing us to ask a difficult question ARE WE REWARDING AUTHENTICITY OR IGNORANCE ? I won't sugarcoat anything because truth can never be false. Besides, I will die whether I say the truth or not. Why not then kuku tell the truth! Yes, we are increasingly rewarding ignorance. The Nigeria social media space is flooded with little or no contents that offer substance not because there are no intellectual packed contents but because we often reward and focus on what entertains us for thirty seconds rather than the thought provoking one. And algorithms deal and respond to our behaviour. They amplify whatever we click, like, comment on and share. So, if shallow contents dominate our space, it's simply because we are feeding it. This issue goes beyond social media and its algorithm. Our online behaviour and pattern is the direct reflection of national reality. For years, we have rewarded ignorance, thinking it's loyalty, connection and sentiments over competence, merit and substance. In Nigeria politics, many people vote based on religion, tribe or party loyalty instead of character and competence that we end up giving the sterling of the nation to who lack vision and willingness to drive it right (Ignorants) The same pattern also appears in workplaces, where appointments are influenced and given based on who know someone over what they know. Merit is pushed aside, while ignorance and mediocrity is rewarded. When this happen repeatedly, excellence, extraordinary begins to encounter questions and looks abnormal. Does this mean entertainment is bad? Nah…… There is nothing wrong in making people laugh.There is nothing wrong in relatable contents and there's also nothing wrong in being authentic. In fact authenticity should be appreciated in a world full of pretence, but authenticity should never become a channel to glorify ignorance or discourage learning. The Olodo uprising is not about a person or trend but a mirror, reflecting our society. And the kind of person we make celebrity, the leader will elect and the voice we amplify truly shows who we are and our stance. If we continue to reward ignorance, then we shouldn't be surprised when it shapes our society. Because the society we build tomorrow depends on what we choose to reward today.@Ola

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