By Nkiru Ifeajuna
Lagos – Victor Essiet, a reggae artiste popularly known as the “Mandators’’ on Monday said that the Federal Government’s fight against corruption would be effective if all Nigerians cooperated with the government.
Essiet told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was wrong for people to think that the fight against corruption was for government alone.
According to him, the fight against corruption should be the responsibility of everyone.
“It is for everybody to put hands together to change the situation in this country.
“When we do that, the country can become a place where we Nigerians can be proud of and there will be progress for each and every one.
“We are using music to help to change things in our country, we cannot always wait for politicians to do it for us,” he said.
The musician said that he had always tried to educate the masses with his brand of music.
He stated that reggae music was a vehicle for educating the masses for positive change and reorientation to promote the growth of the nation.
Essiet, who had been in America for the past 10 years, noted that reggae music was a powerful instrument of change, and expressed concern the genre of music was gradually fading away.
He said that as a way to revive the reggae culture, the World Music Festival, held annually in January was focusing on the theme: “Reggae against Corruption: Reggae for Change’’.
The musician said that the annual reggae festival; “Africa Meets Reggae (AMR)’’, which took place on Sunday, was also a means to revive the reggae culture.
“Reggae music and message has greatly faded. My mission therefore, is to re-establish reggae music and bring its message to prominence in Nigeria and the whole of Africa.
“You saw the great performances from great artistes, great presentation and great output of music, also great arrangement. This show has been well put together.’’
NAN reports that Patoranking, 2Baba, Nkulee Dube, Mandators, and Raskimono were among artistes that participated at the weekend, which festival held at the National Stadium Hockey pitch.
