Popular and respected Nigerian soul and folk singer, and songwriter, Shola Allison has shared reflections on her Facebook account, on how the outside world have chosen to tag every Nigerian citizen with a condescending, derogatory and defaming brush. She narrated how she was stopped and denied of her right to carry along possessions that are within the required weight for her flight to the United States, despite the fact that she wrote NOT FOR SALE on the CDs, and also verbally made it known that she intends to share them for FREE…
Read her post below…
I am SAD this morning….
I am travelling to the US. I want to take many copies of my ÌMÚSE album along, to distribute FREE for our people I meet on my trips, and leave some with those I know so they could give to whoever wants, FREE! I am even ready to pay for extra luggage because of the weight, just to make sure I follow the mandate I got fully.
Then, I was told I may not be allowed to take them in, because they are too many. I said “NOT FOR SALE” is written on the CDs nao, I was told THEY DON’T TRUST NIGERIANS!!! They won’t believe me because they’ve busted others in the past who gave that reason. I am SAD. Because of the reputation my people/nation have in shores beyond.
I was advised to send them either through DHL or EMS. But I cannot afford their fees! I am not selling!!!
But why? Why? See what we have done to ourselves!!! ?? You tell a simple truth at embassies and points of entry of other countries, but they won’t believe you because you are a Nigerian!!!
See what we have done to ourselves??? See what we have done!!!
The last time in the UK I told the immigration guy I was pressed to wee during checks, and heavy security and dog followed me! All our luggages ransacked! They apologised but I was angry! Just to wee-wee??
I have been distributing ÌMÚSE CDs everywhere I go, and I thought, although people abroad would get it on ITunes, Spotify, Apple Music and co, there are still people who want the hard copy, physical CDs, and I could take along and give, happily doing so.
I am not selling ÌMÚSE!!!
But why can’t the outside world trust me? I am a true and honorable Nigerian! Every Nigerian is not a liar! We are not all thieves! Our challenges have not made us all monsters! We are NOT all liars! I am not a liar! I am honorable in all! Millions of us are true!??
But how will I prove it? When everyone who has my passport color is a suspect?
I have had a couple of experiences with “the abroad” that made me angry and sad. I said the truth but I wasn’t believed. Just because some others have defamed and deformed who we truly are! The blood of integrity and honor runs in my veins! I am Nigerian, true!
Who believes me? Who will?
SAD!?
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