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#SecureNorth Protests have been going on in virtually all the 19 Northern States. The protests were triggered by the agitation for an end to the deadly Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police which has long been disbanded.
#SecureNorth Protests started last Thursday when the Collation of Northern Groups CNG convened them in response to the rising insecurity in the North. The protests have been widely successful in cities such as Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Abuja, and Jos.
Read: How the #SecureNorth Protests Fared in All the 19 Northern States
However, in all the protests, Kannywood celebrities were denounced for not doing enough to call attention to the situation in the region. This, to many, is in sharp contrast to the Southern celebrities who have been at the forefront of the #EndSARS protests.
Many Kannywood celebrities have been dragged for not taking part in the protests. Popular actor, Ali Nuhu was viciously dragged on the Social Platform Twitter, for saying Kannywood celebrities are abused for taking part in some activities.
Kaji wawa @alinuhu wai ana zagin su. Who you be? Kawai kace bazaku fito zanga zanga ba saboda kar miyar ku ta kare, yan karen farauta kawai 😡😡. #EndInsecurityNow #SecureNorth pic.twitter.com/qNrv9m7hoO
— Mr President #EndInsecurity👨🏽✈️ (@Zagotweet) October 17, 2020
This however didn’t go well with the public—with some even threatening to boycott some of the products he is promoting.
Henceforth, we will not buy AYOOLA detergent and RUFAIDAH yoghurt until Ali Nuhu stop advertising it. Rt if u agree. pic.twitter.com/nJLxUHB9N4
— My Deen My Swag 💫 (@AM_Saleeem) October 17, 2020
So what are the Kannywood celebrities doing? Have they been doing enough to aid the #SecureNorth protesters? This is a compilation of what the Kannywood celebrities have been up to.
What Kannywood Celebrities are Doing in the Face of #SecureNorth Protests
1. Ali Jita
Ali Jita, one of the finest musicians in the region has been at the forefront of the protests in Kano. The singer has been using his social media accounts in trending the hashtag #SecureNorth. He was also physically present on the first day of the protests in Kano, where they were assaulted by youth.
A quick peep at the artist’s profile on Instagram reveals several pictures of the protests, including a caricature of the artist with the #SecureNorth hashtag at the bottom.
The situation is also the same on Twitter as the artist is seen tweeting, and engaging with followers with the #SecureNorth hashtag.
Some of what the #SecureNorrh protests is missing is coordination, backing from lawyers, activists & organizations.
— Ali jita (@alijitaa) October 17, 2020
We need lawyers, activists and the media to join & back us, it limits the chances of police intimating, extorting people. #endinsecuritynow pic.twitter.com/K9kjSXKYc4
Overall, Ali Jita is one of the most visible celebrities as far as the #SecureNorth Protests is concerned.
2. Aminu Saira
Aminu Saira is a veteran director and producer, and a well-respected voice in the Kannywood industry. The Filmmaker has combined followers of almost a million people on both Instagram and Twitter and has been using it for good use.
NIGERIA is our country, we have no other. AREWA is our region we have no place to go, it is imperative for us to stand up and pressure the govt to put an end to this bloodshed. #EndInsecurityNow #SecureNorthNow pic.twitter.com/Hkz2jhBPf7
— Aminu Saira (@AminuSaira) October 16, 2020
3. Rahama Sadau
Rahama Sadau is one of the most popular celebrities in the North. Apart from being an actress, filmmaker, and producer, she is also an entrepreneur. She owns a chain of companies, including Sadau Pictures and Sadau Beauty. She has also appeared in several Nollywood movies, one of the few who made the transition.
How hard do we need to raise our voices to be heard ? We are ready!!! #EndNorthBanditry #EndSarsProtests
— Rahama Sadau 🇳🇬 (@Rahma_sadau) October 9, 2020
Rahama had been an early supporter of the #EndNorthBanditry tag on Twitter, having tweeted so on 9th October way before other celebrities did. However, she once tweeted a controversial tweet about the protests which incurred the wrath of the public. The tweet has however since been deleted.
Rahama has 625.1K Followers on Twitter and 2.3 million followers on Instagram. Sadly, no mention of the protests or hashtags can be found on her Instagram profile. The actress has also been quiet lately.
4. DJ AB
While DJ AB is not a Kannywood celebrity, he is a popular artist from Kaduna. The versatile artist combines both Hausa and English in his songs which makes his music appealing to the public, especially in the North.
The artist has been one of the early advocates of #EndNorthBanditry having tweeted so on 9th October.
Lets #EndNorthBanditry and move Sars to borno #Endsars
— DJ AB (@Dj_Abba) October 9, 2020
DJ AB later attended the #SecureNorth protests in Kaduna, together with the rest of Yaran Northside crew, the record label he belongs to.
I urge the Youth to voice out #SecureNorth pic.twitter.com/3BktnFwdS3
— DJ AB (@Dj_Abba) October 18, 2020
The artist’s commitment to the plight of the North remains unshaken. The artist has a combined social media followings of almost 1 Million.
5. AphroDija
This is another artist and celebrity from the North. Signed with Don Jazzy’s Mavins Record, she has several hit songs to her name. Dija has also been a vocal supporter of the #EndSARS, #EndPoliceBrutality, and #SecureNorth protests.
Even though the artist has not been physically present at the protests, she has been active in promoting tweets with the hashtags. However, it seems some of her tweets are being deleted by her management.
Didn’t delete my management also has access. It can be irritating. We move https://t.co/rGk74N4Njs
— Di’Ja 🇳🇬🇸🇱 (@aphroDIJA) October 19, 2020
6. MorellAkilah
Another popular celebrity at the forefront of the #EndSARS and #SecureNorth protests is Morell. The highly versatile singer has not been holding back with regard to the situation in the country, sometimes even using strong language.
No be this generation of northerners dem go use play chess! Never ever again. 💪🏿💪🏿
— #MVNSV (@imorellakilah) October 17, 2020
Arewa youth it’s time to #SecureNorth #EndPoliceBrutality #endsars
The artist’s hit song, Officer has succeeded in raising awareness against police brutality in Nigeria. According to him, his father who was a police officer was poisoned by fellow officers a few days after he was appointed a Commissioner of Police.
My father was a cop and was poisoned by his fellow police men few days after he was appointed as the acting CP In kogi state! #EndSARS
— #MVNSV (@imorellakilah) October 17, 2020
7. Falalu Dorayi
Falalu Dorayi is a popular film director in Kannywood. He is known for his comedy and sarcastic movies, the likes of Gidan Badamasi.
The problem affects the poor people more than anyone. We have to wake up and change the way we vote for our leaders.
— F A L A LU A. D O R A Y I (@FalaluDorayi) October 18, 2020
The present administration typically failed in protecting the lives and the properties of its citizens.#SecureNorthNow #SecureNorth #EndInsecurityNow pic.twitter.com/D7rQlN4jZl
Falalu has been consistent in calling out the Government for its failure to secure lives in the North. The artist is also popular with more than 60 thousand followers on Twitter. The artist’s Instagram profile where he has Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand followers.
9. Nafisa Abdullahi
Nafisa Abdullahi is another popular actress from Kannywood who is using their popularity to call an end to killings in the North. While the actress only spoke out a few days ago, her actions remain commendable.
I’m speaking up for myself and for anyone who doesn’t have a voice! I’m speaking up for the helpless people in those villages who are the most affected by the lack of Security, the people who can’t even be here to speak or fight for themselves. @MBuhari #EndInsecurity pic.twitter.com/97Zi52KF16
— Nafisat Abdullahi (@NafisatOfficial) October 18, 2020
However, no mention of the hashtag was made on the artist’s Instagram page, where she has 1.6 Million followers.
10. Deezell
Another celebrity who is advocating for an end to North killings is Deezell. Deezell is another popular musician and celebrity in Northern Nigeria who has been using his large followings on social media pages for good.
Nigerian youths are not lazy!
— D e e z e l l (@officialdeezell) October 17, 2020
they r out there protesting for a better tomorrow.
Where I’m from (North) everybody hustle just to live another day and pray to God it will be a better day. #ENDBADGOVERNANCE #SecureNorrh #EndInsecurity #EndBanditryandkidnapping
The artist’s Twitter account has been abuzz with hashtags of #EndInsecurity and #SecureNorth. While the artist is yet to be physically present at any protest, his actions on social remain commendable.
These are ten Kannywood celebrities who are supporting the #SecureNorth protests. Who do you think we have omitted? Tell us in the comment section below.