Dear Chude,

Red Media and Ynaija’s very own Chude Jideonwo is a Marlian?

I am quite confused by such self-confession. You mean you would train up your daughters and sons to uphold the values of a Marlian?

Or you are just the regular Nigerian scam? The ones that emerge with so much hope and inspiration only to dash it.

We know them, people like Lawal Farouq and co. They came, we believe in them, and they flopped. But you have been quite there, here and different.

Or so I believed. You are one of the two young persons I trust to rule this nation effectively as President someday. The other is Toyosi Akerele.

But I don’t understand anymore.

You?

A marlian?

Or is it a case of ignorance?

You are quite sound in knowledge. And have shown great impressive abilities as it relates to intelligence. So I am not quite sure what the matter is here.

You wrote a list of the 50 most interesting people in the culture [2019]. As published on January 1, 2020. And said these about Naira Marley:

“First, you need to know that I am a Marlian. And because I am a Marlian, I am the kind of person that would say to you that he is innocent until proven guilty (because he is, even though for those we don’t like, we are unlikely to offer that same cover) of whatever the EFCC claims. But how can you not find it incredibly sexy the confidence, the fearless, the gumption of those force of nature? Marley is one of the originals”.

This is the saddest piece of recent times.

I am not saying I am holy. I am not a saint. I wish to be a saint. I do put in the demanded effort towards working out my salvation. I am fallible. But when I fall, I don’t want to justify it. When I sin. I don’t want to glorify the acts.

Marlianism is nothing we should be proud of. We can celebrate the creativity but in the exact volume with which we do that, we should shame the ugly sermons attached.

Why should the old leaders give us a chance to lead? Is it because we are coming with a brand of their failures? Or because we have designed our own shamelessness.

Toke Makinwa can preach being a Marlian and I will manage to sleep well. But not Chude. Not Toyosi Akerele. The numbers are not much. We do not have many people we can place our hope and trust on.

It’s like having an Omoyele Sowore say he is a Marlian! Yet I place you even on a different platform. Perhaps, I am the blinded one.

‘To ba doko wa ma lo le’

That’s Naira Marley’s first line in one of the recent songs he featured in.

The English translation of that line is “If you didn’t come here to have sex, do take your leave”.

He is a manufacturer of many such lines.

See it is not hypocrisy that we could be possibly naughtier than Naira Marley in the darkest part of our private lives. It is showing regard to the public. Respect for decency and protection for the vulnerable and kids in our society.

Naira Marley has every right to be an adult-rated performer. But Chude shouldn’t make him an exemplary leader. Chude shouldn’t join in promoting such a negative force.

What’s the best about the Marlian brand? Vanity entertainment! At best it offers good economic value to the sponsors and owners. It doesn’t influence any national.value or character. At least not in any good light.

We must not end up becoming the errors of our national forefathers. The so-called heroes of our history. Those who built themselves great names based on corruption and selfishness.

If Nigeria is to be truly great someday soon. Then we must start showing quality leadership and awesome character.

I just would like to believe that you (Mr Chude) do not understand the full meaning of being a Marlian. I doubt you will take up the challenge of doing a Soapy Dance in public.

Well…

May we not lose our good heads to the evil of the days. And may we be brave enough to say no to a bad force.

Your Surprised spotter,
Ediale

#ForTheCulture
PS: God help us. At the end of the day, we all have the right to be a Marlian or not.