Mohbad is dead but the controversy surrounding his death is pretty much alive.
If you are in my generation and you don't know the crooner of "plenty enemies..." you would be forgiven. Afterall, Mhobad himself predicted in his lyrics that he would be more popular when he's laid down, prostrate and dead. And it came to pass.
He was born only 27 years ago and at that age, on reflection, I realised that that was just a year after I was done with my Masters degree at the University of Lagos. Like people my age at that time in Nigeria, I was still wondering what to do with my life.
Nigeria of this age is different, some of our young people found their rhythm early in the new economy boosted by high tech, digital musical entertainment economy. Their ingenuity and creativity gave them early fame, not just in Nigeria but globally.
But here is the thing, every success story has its undercurrent. The Naira Marleys of this world are the dark side of the much envied and globally acclaimed music industry of Nigeria.
Now, there are global rallies and protests asking for "justice for Mohbad" but we must admit that everyone failed him. Imole cried for help through his music. His lyrics asked for justice but we were deaf. He wrote to the Police and he was scorned. Our society owes Imole an apology for failing him, even if post humously
The best tribute we can pay Mhobad is for our society to pay more attention to what is being said by this our young and even the silence of these teeming young people to whom we hope our future shall be bequeathed. When they cry out for help, the best we can do is listen. That way, we will be able to prevent another talent, another gifted one of our young and budding stars from being bullied to death by those we thought were nurturing them.
In all of the circumstances preceding his death, where were the elders in the music industry that Mohbad could have had access to? Was there any institutional body established to call members of the industry to order? Lawyers have the NBA. The advertising industry has ARCON, and the Medical field has the NMA. Even Nollywood, with all its flaws, has the Guilds in its factions. How come PMAN has become toothless? And other bodies like COSON are only interested in the loot of the industry?
Our society failed Mohbad, and RIP simply is not enough.
We need institutions that work. The organic nature of our society has broken down on the altar of money. Nigeria needs a moral re-armament, and it is urgent!
As a society, we can do better.
** Soji Odedina is of First Katalyst Marketing, Ikeja, Lagos.
