Bop Daddy Crooner, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz ‘the bad guy’ is arguably Nigeria’s man of the year 2020.
The 29-year-old rapper had a live interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in which he boldly gave a clear account of events leading to #EndSARS protests and drew global attention to repeated violations of human rights in Nigeria.
Nigerians, especially the youthful population of the country will not be quick to forget the rapper’s interview or stop commending his bravery from start of the agitations in October to the time of this report.
He lent his voice to the protests on social media, was physically present to lead agitations at Lekki, Lagos state and wasn’t scared to voice demands of #EndSARS protest through various interviews, including the most recent one on CNN which endeared him to millions of Nigerians.
The Heritage Times presents key excerpts from Falz’s interview that resonate with the unending calls for active citizenship as well as for Nigerians authorities to be accountable and do right by citizens.
‘I am not afraid of dying’
When Amanpour asked if the rapper wasn’t scared for dear life as many young Nigerians declined to appear on camera, Falz replied:
“I am not afraid for my life because where we are right now, I feel like I can easily die by anything else anyway.
“We have a non-existent healthcare system, for example. We have a seriously high level of poverty; there is unemployment.
“We are in a critical state because of the level of corruption and mismanagement of funds that we continue to see on a daily basis.
“I can have an accident on my way to work and die because the state of healthcare is nothing to write home about. People have to travel abroad to have proper healthcare.
“We keep on saying that every single Nigerian is one sickness away from passing away.
“So what kind of life am I living any way? Why should I be afraid of dying? I am going to die anyway, so what is the point?” Falz quizzed.
“They (The Government) just think we are stupid”
When Falz was asked how much he trusts President Buhari’s statement that “that the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad is the first step in reforming the Nigeria Police Force”, the rapper who had been shaking his head cynically as a video clip of the speech played, said:
“It’s infuriating, annoying and frustrating. And I think that’s how everyone is feeling right now.
“They have been reforming the police for a long time and we have never seen actual action. They announced that SARS had been disbanded in 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2020. “They just think we are stupid. It is insensitive.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken turns to commend Falz for what they describe as a good representation of the protest’s true voice.
The citizens who took to microblogging platform Twitter also made some of his statement elaborate.
He is absolutely spot on , we are dying out here . Every average Nigerian is one illness away from dying , that's if you don't killed via police brutality or a high level of insecurity which is being used as a money making machine by those head's of security .
— Engr Gabby (@DADDY_CONCH2) October 23, 2020
A lot of people saying @camanpour didn't do well by having a conversation with @falzthebahdguy .
Here's the things who's she supposed to o talk to?
Our so-called president that came on live TV with a pre-recorded Broadcast?
Those that guy really still exist?
He's never available!— S2DK (@toxikanon) October 22, 2020
@falzthebahdguy Giving 100% update on the situation in Nigeria.
The so called @MBuhari said nothing about the #LekkiMassaccre nor the shootings on all street of Lagos during #LagosCurfew nor the #covid19palliatives fully loaded and locked in a warehouse in Lagos. (found today)— Tosket (@Tosket) October 22, 2020
True to his words, one can die at anytime. Lost a family friend very recently because of the bad roads. He was very close to home but didn’t see the boulder on the actual road because of poorly lit roads. Boulder was cleared the following day to exonerate whoever was in charge.
— Mrs Savvy (@abikaylicious) October 22, 2020
All what @falzthebahdguy said about this Protest @camanpour are all true because I, as a Nigerian, I can't even tell when last I went for a proper check up at the Medical Center because we can actually tell help but wonder how well we could receive a proper treatment & diagnosis
— Sir Kris ❁ (@krisgram_) October 22, 2020
Everything falz said but the truth. People were murdered. Innocent protesters were shot at by the army and their bodies taken away.
— Obieze Agoruah (@obie2cute) October 22, 2020
Falz you must become our youth leader. I love you bro. Love your energy.
With your ideas we the youths can decide who wins the next election.— Oga_audu (@AuduOfficial) October 22, 2020
Falz is everyone at this point. We are on min away from uncertainties. His body language says it all. Thanks you for your bravery. You've been fighting and sensitizing before e sup. God heal us all and bless your family loads. You are my guy any day. #EndSARS
— S.T.P (@stingtims) October 23, 2020
What @falzthebahdguy said sums up the situations in our country Nigeria. The leadership at the moment are clueless and lacks empathy. Corruption is normal in government
— Godsown firstlove (@GodsownF) October 23, 2020
That is one very patriotic Nigerian! Thank you @falzthebahdguy ….. You are a blessing to our generation bro
— O’bond (@frankysilk) October 23, 2020
