October 2, (THEWILL) – Singer Veno Marioghae-Mbanefo, whose hit song, Nigeria Go Survive, was the toast of the entertainment industry many years ago, speaks with SHADE WESLEY–METIBOGUN about the state of the nation and other matters as Nigeria marks her 62nd birthday. Excerpts:
You released an evergreen song, Nigeria Go Survive over three decades ago and literally disappeared from the music scene. Why is this so?
I did release another album under PolyGram Records (later renamed Premier Music). After that, I took a break from recording, got married, and concentrated on raising my children, while I did shows here and there and also wrote articles and scripts. But I have started recording again.
Were you rewarded by the Federal Government for singing such a patriotic song for the country?
I was paid well by the government for every performance that I did for them.
What have you been up to in recent times?
I teach English Elocution, Public Speaking, and Creative Writing. I also write TV drama and movie scripts, short stories, and songs. I am recording new songs at present.
How does it feel to release a song more than three decades ago and it is still applauded till date?
I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it feels good to learn that my work is still relevant after such a long time. On the other hand, I wish that the same circumstances that brought about the work do not persist. I think that by now we ought to have arrived at the level we should be as a nation.
How would you compare the music industry back in the days to what you are seeing today?
In those days, there wasn’t much money in music and show business, but people were more professional and the songs they recorded were cleaner and decent. Nowadays the songs that we listen to are extremely sensual. It is quite terrible to hear children sing them. Some of the younger artists do not know how to perform live. Some of them are good and pretty professional. And they are making a lot of money.
About 30 years ago, you were hopeful that the situation in the country would change for good. Do you still feel that way now?
It is pretty disappointing that decade after decade, you hope and pray that things would change for the better and they don’t. Do I believe that there could be a turnaround? Most definitely. We can beat this. But that can happen only if we put on our thinking caps and stop voting with our emotions and allow ourselves to be swayed by a few grains of rice and naira notes tossed our way. It is time to give our votes to those who can actually do the job.
Where do you think our leaders got it wrong?
When you say that someone got something wrong, the implication is that they made honest mistakes. That is not the case with Nigeria. While I won’t tar every leader with the same brush, I would say that we have had leaders with tunnel vision. All they see is themselves and how to loot our treasury with impunity. They don’t care about the citizens they have sworn to serve. And when the treasury is empty, all they do is impose more taxes on the already overburdened people. Our leaders are in it for themselves and not for us.
What do you think can be done to rectify the situation?
Everything rests on the shoulders of the electorate. If they are tired of the status quo, then they should open their eyes and ears and process what they hear and see intelligently, and make informed choices when they vote. Shine your eyes, open your ears, analyse, research, and make informed choices, come 2023 elections. Take out the undesirables by your votes. And put in the needed votes.
Contrary to what you preached in your song, many young Nigerians are relocating abroad because of the situation in the country. Looking at the state of things in Nigeria, would you still advise the youth to stay back in Nigeria?
This mass exodus of the youth is a function of the failures of the older generation. Today’s youth never saw the glory days of Nigeria. Corruption in high places, failing infrastructure, insecurity, and a hostile economic environment, and a sit-tight older generation who have refused to leave the corridors of power is all they have ever known. So, they reckon that if they can’t grow and thrive in their own land, then they will sail off to take their chances elsewhere. They love their country, but they won’t stay in a stifling environment. If we get it right, they will return.
What advice do you have for Nigerian leaders at 62?
For once, they should make the well-being of the citizens their priority. They are too self-preoccupied. They should engage the youth and let technocrats work on solutions that will revive every sector of the economy and also totally get rid of criminality and insecurity.
What about your advice for the youth?
They should consider how we got into this mess in the first place and not walk in the footsteps of those whose selfishness and lack of vision brought us here. They have got tremendous power to change things. They should use that power in 2023. And bring about a new Nigeria. I have faith in them. They have what it takes; they should harness what they have positively.
Are your children taking after you musically?
My children sing pretty well and love music. But, no, none is interested in going my route. They are all creative, though.
A new political dispensation is upon us and it is a make or mar one for the country. What advice do you have for Nigerians concerning this?
Cultivate the ability to be very objective. Jettison subjectivity and emotionalism and choose individuals, not parties or your townsman. Choose them based on antecedents and how practical their solutions are, in terms of sorting the very weighty problems of this country.
Who do you think has the right leadership capacity to take Nigeria to the next level?
I know who it is, but I will not say anything on this until the time is ripe and right.
The issue of the same faith presidential ticket is currently on the front burner of Nigerian politics. While some people think it is not good for a country deeply split along religious and ethnic lines, others believe it doesn’t matter as long as they get the job done. What is your take on this?
We are so deeply polarised along religious and ethnic lines now that it would have made more sense to balance the choices to give everyone a sense of ownership. I believe that we have credible and intelligent people from both faiths to make the pair. So, to say that it doesn’t matter as long as the job gets done is a very weak argument.
Do you think the electoral bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari would make any difference in the forthcoming general election?
Yes, I think so, as long as it’s not upended by people.
How do you think the Federal Government can resolve the lingering ASUU crisis?
The Federal Government should accede to ASUU’s demands. They are not asking for wants; they are asking for needs. It is unfair that those who are intellectually growing generation after generation are not well rewarded and the infrastructure is not there to enable them to do a good job. Education should not take a backseat to other sectors. Pay these people what they deserve and let them return to the lecture rooms.
You have had to take legal action against a foremost telecommunications company over a copyright issue on your song. What is the current situation now between you and the company?
My lawyers and I are heading to court.
