•Oyo speaker, youth commissioner join protest in Ibadan
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna and Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
As debates on the circumstances surrounding the death of a fast-rising music artist, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, linger, a Kaduna-based radio station, Invicta 98.9 FM, has directed its employees to stop playing all the songs produced by Naira Marley record label.
The privately owned radio station made the announcement on its verified Facebook page, on Tuesday evening, with hundreds of its followers commending the step taken by the Northern radio station.
The post read: “In light of current details emanating from the death of the artist popularly known as #Mohbad, Invicta98.9 FM will stop giving airtime to any song by any artist from Naira Marley’s record label.
“Invicta 98.9FM Kaduna stands for an entertainment industry where talent is supported and celebrated, not turned into an evil fraternity consuming the souls of young people who want to make a positive impact in this world.
Meanwhile, hundreds of youth in Ibadan took to the streets yesterday in protest of the mysterious death of Nigerian hip-hop singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The rally, labeled “Justice For Mohbad,” was joined by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, and the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke.
The protesters, dressed in black T-shirts, carried various placards that called for justice for the late musician and chanted solidarity songs.
The protesters moved from the frontage of Oyo State Government Secretariat to Mokola, and the Ring Road axis, which led to traffic logjam along the routes they passed through.
The Speaker addressed the rally at several points, commending the youth for standing up for justice and calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices to the call for ‘justice for Mohbad’.
Ogundoyin, who is the Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers, described Mohbad’s death as “painful and shocking”, and urged the investigation team set up by the Nigeria Police Force to be thorough in their job. He also questioned why the police failed to investigate a petition Mohbad sent to them concerning constant threats to his life, before his death.
He said: “It is unfortunate that Ilerioluwa Imole died in mysterious circumstances. The investigation team set up by the Nigeria Police Force must be thorough in their job. Everyone connected with the death of the young man must be questioned, investigated and the cause of his death must be unraveled. Why did the police fail to investigate a petition he sent to them on constant threats to his life?
“There are video clips showing Mohbad being beaten and bullied, yet no one was arrested at that time and no one was prosecuted. He also did some audio recordings of his depressing situation and condition, but nothing was done by the security agencies to secure the life of the promising singer. This is rather pathetic, pitiful and condemnable.”