No doubt the rampaging coronavirus has taken its toll on every aspect of life and one of the biggest hit has been the entertainment industry.
With many movie productions on halt, movie locations and recording studios deserted, some Nigerian entertainers are channelling their free time to releasing short, punchy and comic songs as a way of putting in their quota to the fight against the pandemic. These songs and comic acts promote practices like social distancing, hand-washing and the advised stay home directive ordered by the government.
Cobhams Asuquo an award-winning Nigerian musician, recently released a song titled ‘ We go win’ an original in the fight against COVID-19. The song enlightened the people and also urged them to keep hope alive while fighting the virus. The message was with the support of UNICEF.
“We go win Stay safe, wash your hands, love each other; we’ll win this.”, he shared on his Instagram page.
Singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide aka Asa also took to her Instagram page, singing and encouraging people to sneeze into their elbows and wash their hands. “Remember to always wash your hands. Wash the back, wash the front, wash the inside… and if you sneeze you should dab,” she sang cheerfully in the video.
Popular Nigerian Fuji singer Abas Akande Obesere also released a single titled ‘Coronavirus Becareful’. The song talks about personal hygiene and acts as a warning about the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted almost all sectors of life around the world.
On the international scene, Nigerians are also not left out in songs trying to curb the spread of the virus. International students from Liaocheng University in China have released a song in support of China’s efforts against COVID-19. The song titled “Strong together, Defeat Corona”, is an original composition of which two Nigerian students played prominent roles. Contributors include a Ghanaian lead singer, a Nigerian rapper Abdullahi Jega-Nigerian and another Nigerian who is the pianist. The group says coronavirus is a common enemy that should be fought collectively.
Lord Sky came through with a street mashup this time is on the trending disease “Corona Virus”. He featured Cardi B, Peruzzi and Yemi Alade in this mashup. This hilarious song mixed with numerous clips was aimed at informing people to always sanitise during this pandemic. He achieved this in an amusing and comic way.
Senator Dino Melaye who joined the Tyler Perry challenge. The American actor and producer Tyler Perry started a challenge tagged #HesGotTheWholeWorld, aimed at spreading hope during this coronavirus pandemic. Kicking off the challenge, Perry said he wanted to start something to make everyone “feel better,” and challenged others to add to it.
Senator Melaye in his new song which she posted on Twitter handle called on God to intervene and deal with the coronavirus pandemic that has taken the world by storm. In the song, the former lawmaker called on God to let the world overcome the coronavirus pandemic by the power in the blood of Jesus.
Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo along with Bobi Wine, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, George Weah amongst others earlier in the month of April released a song for Africa on the coronavirus pandemic. The video also featured Nigeria’s Amuta Stone.
The song titled ‘Alone but Altogether’ had top music artists, political and religious leaders in Africa team up to release a music video to rally the continent as it reels from the global coronavirus pandemic. The song expressed a message of solidarity and self-reliance in encouraging Africans to avoid becoming victims by adhering to recommended health advice aimed at preventing spread of the virus.
…Entertainers engage in humanitarism
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy , founder and director Red Velvet Music Group and the daughter of her billionaire father Femi Otedola, has donated N50,000,000 through the Cuppy Foundation to support children during Covid-19 pandemic.
She took to her twitter handle to say, “The #CuppyFoundation has allocated N50,000,000 towards the @SaveChildrenNG Covid-19 response! They have been provided with and received the funds. Save the Children Nigeria is a non-for-profit organisation. Let us protect our Nigeria children during this tough time! #CuppyCares.”
“We hope you are doing the best you can to stay out of harm’s way. If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that this phase will pass. The sky will be bright again and we shall bask in the sun. In the meantime, power up your network, stay safe, stay home, learn a skill, cook something (that isn’t noodles) and adhere to all the guidelines set out by health authorities.” She said.
Micheal Collins Ajereh better known as Don Jazzy, Nigerian record producer, singer and the Chief Executive Officer of Mavin records, supported the AMTF initiative in the distribution of food items to the people of Abule-Egba community in Lagos state.
AMTF Initiative, thanked the Don via his twitter handle, “Big thanks to Oga Boss @DONJAZZY for his massive contribution. You are a rare gem sir, the people of Abule-Egba Community appreciates you.”
On another tweet, Don Jazzy said that he sent some money to support a man, whom started with looking for what to eat on his viral to-do-list. The record producer expressed shock saying, the man which he helped went ahead to bless people in his neighborhood.
“So remember this to-do-list guy from yesterday, I sent him some money, and he shocked me, by also using some money to bless more people in his hood, may God bless him o.” He advised people who can, to do the little they can in their hood.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh popularly known as King Tonto, president and founder of the Tonto Dikeh foundation in collaboration with Prosperity for Africa Foundation commenced the ‘Raw Food Bank Drive,’ to distribute foods items to 5000 Nigerians as part of her own measure to give back to society.
The debut actress took to her Instagram handle with 5.7 million followers to advice people on how to take safety precautionary measures against coronavirus.
“These are the steps you should take; always wash your hands with soap because you could get the virus through physical contact. Stay indoors, it is difficult to know a carrier of the virus, as they might still be strong; practice social distancing.”
