Youths, BB-Naija and 2023 Elections: Conflict of Interest?

What appears to have now become Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Naija Season 8, hash tagged “The Titans” kicked off last night, Sunday, January 15, 2022, on with so much interest from young people across Nigeria and across the African continent. To give it the needed boost, visibility wise, MultiChoice, the South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa and GOtv, a minor service operating in over nine countries of this area and Showmax service, dedicated a channel, DStv 198, to it. This is aside showing on other Africa Magic channels also on DStv.    

The show, which has since 2017 been anchored by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, has a large number of Nigerians as its audience. The largest percentage of the viewership are the youths. Over the years, the show has proved to be one of the leading shows in the entertainment industry. This is informed by the level of attention given to the show by its viewers. The effect of this particular entertainment is seen in the behaviours of our youths, especially, as research has shown that during this particular show, many a youth become lazy as all parts are of their humanity and psychology is glued to the screen.

Looking at the situation of the nation and all the anomalies that have been ongoing ranging from the despicable rate of insecurity, incessant killings, inflation, hike in fuel price and skyrocketing of food price amidst other challenges, it is safe to say that all hands are supposed to be on deck to see how all of these perturbing situations will be nipped up in the bud. This will require a lot of hard work from its citizens. One good way to show concern is the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs) in preparation for the forthcoming elections, and as such all other irrelevances are to be suspended.

However, it is surprising to see that unity of minds is not achieved as the most popular Big Brother Naija reality show kicked off on Sunday, January 15, 2023. The show which has been running since 2006 where it was first premiered from March 5 to June 4 has always had massive sponsors among which are brand ambassadors, giant firms and industries and popular individuals. Research has it that it is one of the most distractive social media contents in the entertainment industry as it has made many Nigerians lazy.

The announcement of the commencement of this show at a time like this has raised many concerns among the thinking populace of Nigeria as well as well-meaning citizens. Japhet Omene, the national coordinator for the Organization for Global Youths Peace Empowerment and Development Initiative (OGYPEDI) has cried to the public to boycott the Big Brother Naija reality show, describing it as a distraction from serious national issues. He accused the organizers of the show for their insensitivity to current issues in Nigeria. In his statement, he said the money that they are spending on this show should have be channelled to other purposes that would have benefitted Nigerians. They should have even used it in championing enlightenment campaigns on PVCs.

It is important to note that the most affected people are the youths because they are the ones hit by the hazards and ills of a failed government, unending strikes, #EndSARS protest, unemployment and inflation. They have taken a good step by collecting their PVCs as a sign of readiness for a new administration. So many youths have concluded that it is a distraction and Nigerians should take their minds off it for now, that it is supposed to be the least of their priorities and all focus should be channelled to having a good leader. The show is perceived as a major hindrance to active participation in the electoral process, because it may just end up shifting the focus of the people from national issues to entertainment which is the least of the country’s problem right now.

Sadly, there seems to be a bit of diversity as many others think differently about the reality show coming up at this time. A poll conducted on Friday showed that many people have different opinion about the show stating that it is not in any way going to be a form of distraction. Some said that we are all matured and we know the right thing to do and if we can actually do it, they the common good of the country is achieved.