The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Innocent Idibia

  • Tuface holds charity concert to support UNHCR activities in North-East

    Tuface holds charity concert to support UNHCR activities in North-East

    As part of efforts to assist displaced persons, Tuface Foundation is organising a fund raising charity concert to support the activities of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in the North-East.

    Musical icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, made this known while briefing journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

    Tuface said that the concert would take place on Sunday at Transcorp Hilton, Hotel, Abuja, and urged Nigerians to support the cause.

    He said that 60 per cent of the proceeds would be donated to UNHCR to support its interventions in the North-East.

    According to him, the humanitarian challenges in the North-East are enormous and a big task for the UNHCR.

    He said that he had pledged his commitment to support the UNHCR in alleviating the plight of displaced persons.

    The assistance, he said, would not be limited to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) but also to Nigerian refugees in other countries, who are victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The singer urged Nigerians to support the cause by attending the concert and by downloading his newly released song dedicated to the displaced persons as their ring and caller back tones.

    “I am very proud to support the UN Refugee Agency at the forefront of the displacement emergencies.

    “Who will support our brothers and sisters, if we don’t?

    “I care deeply about the IDPs and refugees cause and I promised in February to hold this charity concert and this is happening.

    “I am dedicating my music and talent to this noble cause and I challenge everybody to do the same; let us make Africa great again.”

    Tuface said that visiting the North-East seeing things for himself, further made him to know the true situation in the region, which a lot of people were not aware of.

    He commended UNHCR for its transparency and judicious use of resources for its interventions.

    He also urged the government to do more in assisting the IDPs and to ensure that peace and normalcy returned to the region in due time.

    In his remarks, Mr Jose-Anthonio Canhandula, UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, thanked Tuface for supporting the Agency’s intervention in the North-East.

    Canhandula was represented by Mr Hollo Roger, UNHCR’s Senior Liaison Officer to the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Commission.

    He said that with the global displacement figure reaching over 65 million, the needs were enormous while funding contributions were inadequate for the actual requirement.

    “Unless we combine forces with the powerful voices of Tubaba and others, the begging bowls of alms will remain with us.

    “In the light of the huge funding needs, Africa’s private sector can be key in by supporting UNHCR’s efforts towards refugees and displaced persons.

    “The resources that this concert can raise will help ensure that displaced families are provided with shelter, water, health, education and other essentials,” Canhandula said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in February, the Tuface Foundation made the first donation of N3.5 million to UNHCR and promised to do a new song in honour of the refugees and IDPs.

    The song was released on June 20 in commemoration of the 2017 World Refugees Day.

    He further promised that 60 per cent of the proceeds would be donated to UNHCR to support its interventions in the North-East.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the concert, dubbed “Eargasm”, will feature other artists with tickets to be sold for the highest table at N3 million and the lowest for N50,000.

  • Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    A  Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, otherwise called  2Face or 2Baba has said the protracted Boko Haram crisis which has claimed the lives of millions and traumatized thousands with billions on property lost has nothing to do with religion but rather the failure of the political leadership of the country.

    According to the music maestro, “unless government and politicians step up their games by doing the needful in eradicating poverty among the masses, particularly youths, ensure  justice to all manner of people or else,  ending the Boko Haram  insurgency and other violent clashes across the country  will be difficult and unrealistic”.

     Mr. Idibia who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri as he winds up his visits to displaced people in the state where he visited the Camps in Banki, a border community with Cameron Republic and other resettlement areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as part of his Foundation’s collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to drum support for the IDPs said he was particularly “sadden by the pathetic living conditions of the IDPs in the camps”.

    He announced that he will donate part of the proceeds from his new song launched on World Refugee Day this year to support the affected population through UNHCR., adding that he will be  staging  a concert in Abuja at the Hilton Hotel on 24 July as part of continuing efforts to support IDPs and returnees in Nigeria.

    He Urged  government, security agencies, Media Practitioners and other Humanitarian agencies to scale up a coordinated efforts in addressing the plights of IDPs and other victims of violence, as well as tackling  terrorism in the bud.

    his world, ” I am here in Maiduguri with support from UNHCR to use my music in contributing to alleviate the suffering of our IDPs and other victims of insurgence.

    “I feel honoured to work with organization like UNHCR, am just one person, when I went round some of these camps, I was saddened, I saw fear, sorrow and trauma, I feel disappointed looking at the faces and eyes of the IDPs. You will see hunger and object poverty. Unless Government and politicians shun injustice, corruption and remained focus and committed to our collective development, these same set of traumatized and displaced people in camps may turn up to be more dangerous in the society.

    “Although, I have seen hope of life among some of these IDPs, all hands must be on deck to the needful by rendering support no matter how little it is. Presently I have a song, titled ‘Hold my Hands’, this song is on many platforms, all people need to do is to download it and use it ringing tone. It will only cost you N50 per month, but will surely contribute in giving hope of life to our traumatized victims of insurgency.

    “In my little way, I have come and seen the live in camps and next week, when I go back to Abuja, we are going to do a concert as my proceed donation in alleviating the suffering of the IDPs”, 2Face stated.

    He particularly praised working Journalists in the region, while encouraging them to continue their good efforts and sacrifices in reporting activities of government, security agencies, Humanitarian partners in the fight against insurgency in the north east sub- region.

    The Nation recalls that in February this year,  2Face Foundation donated more than US$11,000 to UNHCR for IDPs and returnees and has embarked on a series of activities to scale up the support.

  • UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) partnership with the singer, Innocent Idibia, (2 face Idibia), have inaugurated awareness campaign to garner support for victims of violence.

    The UNHCR and the singer-songwriter are focusing their campaign to those who were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region.

    Edibia said this at a musical concert organised by the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    He said decided to partner with UNHCR because he was deeply touched by the condition of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “I visited some of the IDP camps. Their condition is heart-breaking and saddening.

    “At the same time; I see hope in their eyes and eagerness to return to homes. And that hope could not have been there without the effort of the army,” he said.

    Edibia also commended the Nigerian Army’s efforts towards ending the insurgency and protection of lives and property in the country.

    The singer commended the Army for ensuring peace in the country.

    “Words alone cannot not express how wonderful you have been doing toward ensuring the return of peace in the country.

    “You are doing a wonderful work, putting your life on the line to defend and protect our country.”

    He, however, promised to extend the campaign to other parts of the country, with a view to drumming support for IDPs and the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Also speaking, Cesar Tshilombo, the Head of the UNCHR, Sub-Office in Maiduguri, said that the organisation would collaborate with 2Face to raise awareness on its operations in the region.

    “Having 2Face here will make the visibility of UNHCR operations. It is to let the people know that they not being neglected.

    “Today we are in Ngala, visited some of the camps and interacted with some of the displaced children. I think having 2Face around is a good partnership,” Tshilombo said.

    “We are specifically working

  • Court fixes Oct. 11 to hear suit challenging alleged disruption of Tuface’s march

    Court fixes Oct. 11 to hear suit challenging alleged disruption of Tuface’s march

    A Federal High Court, Lagos has fixed Oct. 11 to hear a suit by a Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, seeking the enforcement of the fundamental rights of citizens to peaceful assembly, liberty and association.

    Omirhobo had in a class action, sued for himself and on behalf of millions of Nigerians, over an alleged disruption of a Feb. 6 planned mass protest by popular Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia a. k. a. 2face.

    Joined as respondents in the fundamental rights suit are: the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation. the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

    In the suit numbered FHC/CS/ 842/17, the lawyer is seeking among other reliefs, a declaration that by the combined effects of Sections 39 to 41 of the constitution, it is the duty of the Police to provide security for intending protesters.

    He avers that a failure of the police to provide the requisite security measures in favour of the planned protest which had been slated for Feb. 6, constitutes a breach of citizens’ fundamental right to peaceful assembly.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, Omirhobo announced appearance for the applicant, while there was no legal representation for the respondents.

    He informed the court that he had yet to serve processes on some of the respondents in Abuja, and urged the court for time to do the needful.

    Consequently, Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered that all processes be regularized.

    He adjourned the suit until Oct. 11, for hearing.

    Omirhobo is seeking a declaration that the coercion and intimidation of 2face, by threatening to arrest him, if he dared to lead the planned protest, amounts to a breach of his right to freedom of association, expression and movement.

    He also seeks a declaration that the intimidation of 2face by the police, leading to a cancellation of the planned protest, which was meant to march against the rising wave of hunger and recession in the country, constituted a breach of citizens’ right to freedom of expression.

    The applicant is therefore, seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further preventing the applicant or other aggrieved citizens of Nigeria, from organizing or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings or rallies.

    He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further issuing threat statements to members of the public, and other interest groups from exercising their fundamental rights.

    The applicant also calls for a public apology from the respondents to the generality of Nigerians, for frustrating a planned peaceful protest.
    Obiozor will hear the case on Oct. 11.

  • Tuface donates N3.5m to support UNHCR

    Tuface donates N3.5m to support UNHCR

    The Nigeria music star Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known as 2 face, on Monday donated 3.5 million naira to the forcibly displaced through the united nation refugee agency (UNHCR).

    The donation, which was made through the 2 face foundation, flag off the UN refugee agency first ever fundraising exercise in Nigeria. The aim is to provide relief material and support to families who have been force to flee their abode in Nigeria and across Africa.

    Speaking at the event, 2 face noted that the donation is a token from him to help those who have been forcefully displaced in Africa.

    “I have been to some IDPs and their condition is terrible, it’s mind-blowing. I hope will be able to gather more people and give more donations.

    Prior to the event he stated that “I am proud to support UN refugee Agency because of its proven track record of being at the fore front of displacement emergencies. I want to help more people who have been forced to flee their homes because it is an issue I care about, and this donation is one of such effort because  we plan to have a major charity concert in June to raise money, Whilst offering my music and talent to the world for donation towards noble cause”.

    Nigeria, the UN refugee Agency responds to the need of more than 1.8 million  internally displaced persons. Due to the monumental needs the Agency has switch its effort to spirited Africans to bridge its funding gaps.

    The Nigeria music star Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known as 2 face, on Monday donated 3.5 million naira to the forcibly displaced through the united nation refugee agency (UNHCR).

    The donation, which was made through the 2 face foundation, flag off the UN refugee agency first ever fundraising exercise in Nigeria. The aim is to provide relief material and support to families who have been force to flee their abode in Nigeria and across Africa.

    Speaking at the event, 2 face noted that the donation is a token from him to help those who have been forcefully displaced in Africa.

    “I have been to some IDPs and their condition is terrible, it’s mind-blowing. I hope will be able to gather more people and give more donations.

    Prior to the event he stated that “I am proud to support UN refugee Agency because of its proven track record of being at the fore front of displacement emergencies. I want to help more people who have been forced to flee their homes because it is an issue I care about, and this donation is one of such effort because  we plan to have a major charity concert in June to raise money, Whilst offering my music and talent to the world for donation towards noble cause”.

    In Nigeria, the UN refugee Agency responds to the need of more than 1.8 million  internally displaced persons. Due to the monumental needs the Agency has switch its effort to spirited Africans to bridge its funding gaps.

     

  • No going back on protest – Efe Omorogbe

    No going back on protest – Efe Omorogbe

    Following speculations that the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force may have called off the planned march mooted by singer, Innocent Idibia aka 2Baba, his manager, Efe Omorogbe has said that the rally will still go on.

    Speaking with The Nation, Omorogbe said that the protest is the next logical step in the conversation the artiste has been having over the past decade through his Tuface Idibia Foundation.

    According to him, no communiqué was issued by the police to the effect that the protest was not supposed to hold.

    “We are not sure that position is true. We have been in touch with the police and so far, nobody has communicated that to us. I think it is all just speculation from some quarters. For now, we are putting finishing touches to the preparation and there will be no going back on the planned protest,” he said.

    According to him, the foundation is doing all in its powers to ensure that the march is not hijacked by hoodlums in the society.

    “That is why we are in talks with the police. We are citizens expressing ourselves. One of the things we are demanding is better security and we don’t want to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the process of doing that,” he further stated.

    He also said that against what people think, the February 6 March is not an attempt to discredit any politician but should rather be seen as a citizen conversation.

    “It is for the unrepresented. We seek to aggregate the voices of ordinary Nigerians and demand for true leadership at all levels. It is not targeted at any specific leader. It is a Tuface Foundation initiative and for over a decade, we have put in a lot into peace building. It is time the young people of Nigeria start to take active participation in governance,” Omorogbe added.

  • Tuface Idibia’s stint on Project Fame excites contestants

    Tuface Idibia’s stint on Project Fame excites contestants

    As though under a fresh anointing, MTN Project Fame contestants, last Sunday, delivered one of their best performances in this season, with Innocent Idibia, aka Tuface, literarily supplying the wind for such ‘ascension’.

    Sharing the stage with a superstar like Tuface is one of the practical values typical with the Project Fame contestants, even from the preliminary stages. Such tutorial, according to the organisers, is meant to remove any emotional or psychological deficiency that could hinder a promising talent from hitting the winning line, in the music competition.

    From Christian’s rendition of African Queen, Daniella’s emotionally laden True Love, Ruky’s See Me, Geoffrey’s Only Me to Ugo’s Implication, the energy and vocal dexterity put into each performance was incredible.

    The approval from the judges suggested that the contestants are coming up as real stars, even for the likes of Clement, Emeka and Shola, including Debbie whom they thought should put in a little more effort.

    There was so much for the contestants to learn from Tuface, who sang with ease and an amazing stagecraft – with every song, the guest artiste affected the crowd, as they danced and sang along.

    Meanwhile, the reality show broke another record over the weekend, recording over 4.7million viewership on its Youtube channel. The feat was the highest ever aggregated on any similar platform in Africa.

    However, without the viewers’ votes, the contestants are never far from elimination, no matter how well they sing. The organisers urged viewers to send their favourite contestant’s number to 306 for Nigerian participants, and 1745 for those in Ghana via text messages, if the contestant must make the final stages of the show.