Maroof Asudemade

There is a time to mourn. There is a time to protest. And there is a time to remember that one is not merely an entertainer but also an ambassador of one’s country. Davido missed that distinction.

Standing before a global audience at the FIFA World Cup, the Afrobeats superstar chose to draw attention to the Oriire abduction in Oyo State in a manner that cast Nigeria in the familiar light of insecurity and despair. It was a moment watched by millions across continents. Unfortunately, what should have been another celebration of Nigeria’s cultural excellence became an occasion to reinforce one of the darkest narratives about the country.

No one disputes that the Oriire abduction was a tragedy. It was. The anguish of the victims, their families and the nation was genuine. Every Nigerian of good conscience shared in that pain. But tragedies do not tell the whole story. The victims were eventually rescued. That rescue required intelligence gathering, coordination and the commitment of security personnel who risked their lives to return innocent people safely to their families. If the abduction deserved international mention, so too did the rescue. Instead, the world was left with the image of Nigeria as a country defined solely by kidnapping and insecurity.

Patriotism is not propaganda. It does not require denying problems or pretending that everything is perfect. Democracies thrive because citizens speak truth to power. But patriotism also demands judgment, that is knowing when criticism advances the national interest and when it merely amplifies damaging stereotypes before audiences that neither understand the country’s complexities nor hear the full story.

Davido has every constitutional and moral right to criticise insecurity. What is questionable is the choice of venue, timing and context. There is a difference between advocating change at home and projecting one’s nation abroad in a manner that overshadows its achievements.

It is no coincidence that many countries expect their public figures to exercise restraint on international platforms. Winston Churchill captured this sentiment when he observed: “When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticise or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.” The wisdom lies not in suppressing criticism but in recognising that there are moments when one speaks not merely for oneself but for one’s nation.

Davido knows the power of global influence better than most Nigerians. Through his music, he has helped redefine Africa’s place in global entertainment. He has proudly flown the Nigerian flag on the world’s biggest stages. That is why this episode is particularly disappointing. The same microphone that has celebrated Nigeria’s creativity was used to spotlight one of its darkest moments without giving equal recognition to the courage and resilience that followed.

Celebrities are not elected officials, but their influence often exceeds that of politicians. Every statement made before an international audience contributes to the story the world tells about Nigeria. Those stories affect tourism, investment, diplomacy and even the confidence of Nigerians in the diaspora. Words spoken in passing can have lasting consequences.

No one is asking Davido to become a government spokesman. No one expects him to ignore insecurity or pretend that victims do not exist. Rather, Nigerians expect balance, fairness and perspective. It is possible to honour victims, call for better security and still affirm the dignity of the nation. The Oriire incident ended not with the triumph of criminals but with the freedom of the captives. That was the complete story. It deserved to be told.

Davido remains one of Nigeria’s greatest cultural exports and one of Africa’s most influential entertainers. Precisely because of that influence, he must appreciate that every international platform is bigger than personal expression. It is also a platform of national representation.

He can do better. Nigeria deserves better from those who have become her global symbols. When the nation is grieving, she deserves solidarity. When she rises above tragedy, she deserves celebration. And when her sons stand before the world, they should ensure that a single painful chapter does not become the world’s entire understanding of the Nigerian story.

When will Davido have another chance at world stage to sing about the triumph of light over the darkness that reigned over Oriire?