The emergence of the late Oladapo Olaitan Olanipekun a.k.a Da Grin on the music scene in the 2000’s led to a trend of many musicians singing in the indigenous languages and still commanding a massive followership.

The death of Da Grin in a fatal motor accident in 2010 led to the rise of Olamide a.k.a Badoo who effortlessly filled in the void by the departed Ogun born musician.

Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a Portable Zazu is a fast-rising indigenous artiste who is currently at his peak. The 28 years old crooner has released some hit songs backed a sturdy street credibility that has seen his reputation as an artiste soar to the High Heavens.

It was no surprise that he was signed up to Odogwu Bitters owned and promoted by controversial businessman, Obinna Oyiegbu a.k.a Obi Cubana as a brand ambassador for the whooping sum of fifty million naira.

As they say in Nigerian parlance, ‘God has finally picked his call.’

Like many celebrities the world over, Portable isn’t without his faults and his tragic flaw may eventually lead to his downfall.

Nigerian music lovers and followers woke up to the news earlier this week that he had fired his entire crew of the DJ, Promoter and Manager. Many criticized him for the ill-advised action with some opining that success had gotten into his head and brand as well as reputation managers averred that it was bad for his brand.

Not surprisingly, a Canadian based show promoter barred Portable from coming to his show and sought for the immediate revocation of his visa because of his earlier written action which portrayed him as highly unstable and unfit for his targeted audience.

Other foreign based show promoters may naturally follow suit and this may be demarketing for Portable as he would end up tragically as a mere local champion with no global export value – a huge shame when you consider the millions of Yoruba speakers in the Diaspora which will serve as a huge source of revenue for the short-sighted artiste.

The public still trying to digest the news of the rather erratic behaviour of the short-fused artiste, woke up to another scandal of his crashing his newly acquired Range Rover into the house of his neighbour while allegedly under the influence of hard drugs.

This led popular On Air Personality Dotun to write on the comment section of popular Instagram Influencer, Tunde Ednut ‘”You have no idea what you guys have created. We all go dey here dey watch the film… take him to rehab and leave all the sentiments around him becoming a star. Time and time waits for no man.. Goodbye and God bless” Ednut had shared a video of the auto crash and wrote; ”PORTABLE ZAZU needs to be really be more careful. Just saying this respectfully. ”

There is nothing bad or insultive about advising Portable to seek professional mental help. It is crass ignorance that makes many Nigerians believe that mental illness is a thing of shame and it won’t be a bad idea to use celebrities to de-stigmatize the ailment and let Nigerians know that it is like any other ailment that may require lifelong care and medication. Do Nigerians battling with hypertension, high blood pressure or diabetes suffer any form of stigmatization? It is high time we changed the narrative and if we are to win this noble war, celebrities should be co-opted by mental health advocates to penetrate their massive followership and lead the gradual vanguard for the wind of change to swiftly diffuse to the hardened minds of their teeming followers.

Imagine the impact of a photograph of Portable being seen in a rehabilitation centre and his sharing his experiences on his Insta Stories, the average man on the street who resonates with him through the consumption of the bitters drink will know that mental illness isn’t a demonic attack and the patients don’t need to be chained, beaten and maimed but showered abundant love as well as care.

The common saying that our political officer holders should be subjected to a psychiatric evaluation isn’t derogatory for instance but the message will resonate more with the masses if a street credible and marketable Portable can publicly endorse the activities of the mental health stakeholders. Such will go a long way to dispelling the myth surrounding the illness.

Over to you Portable Zazu!

SOURCE: https://africavoiceshq.com/2022/04/02/does-portable-zazu-need-professional-mental-health-help-by-tony-ademiluyi/