Seun Kuti and Hilda Baci: Two sides of a coin – Our Peace, Our Security By Prof. O.E Bassey

“Unarguably, the country is nothing to write home about. But does that mean we should keep plunging it farther down the abyss by making a ridicule of it before the onlooking global world or we do our bit to keep pushing it high up there to compete with the best of nations? For once, I was glad we saw that if truly the country will get to sit apar with the crème de la crème of the world, only the youths can pilot it to such enviable pedestal. It is resplendent in the numerous achievements that have brought glory to the country: from Victor Osimhen in football, to Tobi Amusan in athletics, to Hilda Baci in cooking, and the several entertainment icons putting Nigeria in good light in the face of the world. “

It was a paradox of a weekend, one that celebrated, at a side, the heroism of a chef, and on the other side, bemoaned the impunity of a singer. Both cut through the week, with their contradictory tales but uninhibited message of the roles of parenting.

Seun Kuti is a popular afrobeats musician who is said to have followed in the footsteps of his father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela is most renowned for his revolt against maladministration and high-handedness from state authorities. To this end, he devoted his music as a weapon to wipe off such anomalies from the land, endearing him and his style of songs to manifold Nigerians, even up to the fancy of some Europeans. Although Fela was infamous for his raunchy lifestyle and overindulgence in drugs, that part of his life repulsed and repelled some people from him as one not given to morality.

Seun seemed to cut a figure of his father with his boldness, aggressiveness and defiance to misgovernment. But what we never knew he added to it all, up until Sunday, was impunity over state laws and authority. His filmed assault at a rather collected police officer is, in every sense of order, condemnable. Although the details of what must have led to such violent provocation remain best known to Seun and the affected police officer, it appeared that Seun, going by a video of him pontificating about having slapped many policemen, is predisposed to dehumanizing the Nigeria police officers even at the slightest offence.

Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci held the country spellbound for four days as she took up the towering challenge to conquer a world record, and not only that, set her own record by some extra hours. This singular heroic act which she pulled off by cooking for 100 hours not only placed Nigeria on the global map, it rehashed the ‘I-can-do’ spirit of the Nigerian youths that had seemed to be gradually fading out of memory. She did the almost unthinkable, she proved that bold dreams are yet achievable, and what’s more, she showed Nigerians that we can be united irrespective of our differences.

These two individuals are both youths who represent the lifeblood of the nation, as such, much is expected from them even though, sadly, much has not been given to them. It is at this point, the social responsibility to one’s nation tucked in the maxim of ‘Do not ask what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country’ rings true.

Unarguably, the country is nothing to write home about. But does that mean we should keep plunging it farther down the abyss by making a ridicule of it before the onlooking global world or we do our bit to keep pushing it high up there to compete with the best of nations? For once, I was glad we saw that if truly the country will get to sit apar with the crème de la crème of the world, only the youths can pilot it to such enviable pedestal. It is resplendent in the numerous achievements that have brought glory to the country: from Victor Osimhen in football, to Tobi Amusan in athletics, to Hilda Baci in cooking, and the several entertainment icons putting Nigeria in good light in the face of the world.

But the truth is, while the government might not be so invested in this glaring data, it behooves on parenting – both that of the home and community – to take it up as a responsibility to continue to invest in our children the right values that propel them to chase after lofty goals on the ‘I-can-do’ spirit innate in every Nigerian.

While we celebrate Hilda and vilify Seun, we should avoid pretending that these two contrasting individuals are not trite in our society, and that their bearing can be traced to the failures and success of parenting. We bewail these days of some of our youths indulging in cybercrimes and drug abuse, forgetting that smokes do not just appear. We celebrate fireworks and admire their sparkles in the sky, but ignore that there was a process to their sparkles.

Youths do not just grow up to become fireworks, they were prepared to be fireworks. If we must get the best from our children, and make their lives a sparkle, then like Hilda’s mum, we must put in the work to stand by our children, guide them in the right direction, allow them space to dream, and then support them every step of the way, because to every successful child, there is a responsible parent.

Lastly, I’m still in shock that Seun who I appreciate his person and intelligence, was involved in such inhumane act. While I don’t have full details of what precisely fueled the act, I hope the law takes its full course on the matter as no one should be seen to be above the law.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:4.

You can learn more about promoting peace and looking out for the best interest of your child from my book, The Child’s Best Interest co-authored with my wife, Dr. C.V Bassey, an certified educationist.

Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is a professor in Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution, a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

Prof. Bassey has served and interacted at the top-level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is currently the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

To his many humanitarian acts, he currently spearheads a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders” billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

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