SAN FRANCISCO, November 09, (THEWILL) – Nigerian flutist, Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, says that every Nigerian needs a moral revolution to end the “SARS” in them for a better society.
The veteran entertainer disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Nigerian should learn how to treat their neighbours the same manner they want to be treated, he said.
THEWILL recalls that there were widespread protests a few weeks back as #EndSARS demonstrators called for the disbandment of the police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for their harassment of Nigerians and extra-judicial killings.
Reacting to this, the cross-cultural Itsekiri and Swiss-born flutist said: “We need a moral revolution from the bottom to the top. There are some SARS in all of us. From the musicians to politicians, teachers, students, everybody.
“From my experience in Europe, you need to treat people well, respect your neighbours and share when you make money, especially with your band members.
“I came to Nigeria after my degree in Music and Economics in 1970 to see some band leaders treating their members like thrash and I always criticise that.”
He disclosed that in 2000, he performed at a Gala night after which he allowed his band members to stay in the same five-star hotel where everyone rested for the night and he saw some band leaders allowing their members to pass the night in the bus.
He continued: “I do the same thing when I cook. Now none of us was being paid immediately, in fact, I am still being owed but I made sure my members were comfortable because you are as good as your band.
“If one man in your band is not good, then the sound is not there. So, treat them well and pay them well. In the music industry and outside, treat those working for you well.
“My domestic staff have been working with me for years. This is not really because I pay them well but because I treat them well.
“If you are a band leader and you don’t pay your musicians well, you don’t treat them well, you let them sleep in the bus on tour while you stay in a five-star hotel.”
The flutist stressed that SARS is better than an entertainer who dines in a first class restaurant while members of his band eat bread and sardine.
“We have to start respecting our neighbours. It is stated in the bible. ‘Love thy neighbour as you love thyself’ and that will solve all the problems.” he said.
