Portable’ Uncouthness: A Cause For Concern -By Isaac Asabor

It is not an exaggeration to say that in this interactive age of the social media that most opinion writers and journalists who are ethically disposed, and know their onions are by each passing day finding it difficult to write or comment on news that was broken by some online medium; irrespective of the credibility of the source of such news item.

The reason why most opinion writers and journalists, in most cases, become wary of using stories sourced from some online and social media platforms cannot be farfetched as some professionals and those that may in this context be described as gate-crashers into the field of journalism have messed up the system. As I type this piece, I literarily heard them in my subconscious yelling in unison: “We can report and post anything. We don’t give a shit!”

Still in the same nexus, it may not be unfair to compare the social media platform with some fast food restaurants where foods, no matter how poorly cooked, are served in neat packages with catchy labels; thus making an impatient customer to erroneously think that he or she has gotten quality service but ignorant of its little nourishment. A good example exists in stories where some writers are fond of praising celebrities that have made it; moneywise. A contextual case at this moment is the praises that are undeservedly been showered on Nigerian music star and singer aka Portable despite his uncouth behavior which has the tendency of negatively influencing the youths. Whenever he is been praised, it seems the theme of the message is “He has made it, he is rich” without emphasizing in the report or analysis that he is negatively influential.

You may have asked in this context, “Oga, how this one come concern you?” I’m concerned by virtue of my understanding of how powerful the media is. Seeing the powerful influence of the media from the perspective of the mass communication theory called, Magic Bullet Theory/ Hypodermic Needle Theory, you will definitely understand why the public utterances and behavior of Portable is of concern to me.

For the sake of clarity, hypodermic needle theory, also known as magic bullet or transmission belt theory, is that media message that is very powerful and injects into the minds of the audience in such a way as a bullet acts rapidly on a body. So it assumes powerful media effects leading to the hypodermic needle or magic bullet approach. That any story about Portable; either conveyed virtually, on print, or even through broadcast or music has been very influential, particularly to the youths. Analyzed from the foregoing backdrop, it can be said that there is no better time to express this view than now, particularly as he is always in the news for the wrong and ignoble reasons.

It is not an exaggeration to say that since his musical career shot him to limelight that not few Nigerians are happy with the speed at which he became a star to the extent that he at a time embarked on musical tours to overseas to the admiration of many. In fact, it has been very obvious that the talented star earned street credibility following the release of his hit single “Zazu Zeh” in 2021 which featured Olamide and Poco Lee. The song which has remained a major breakthrough in his musical career and has saw him trending in the entertainment industry. As a creative and gifted singer, Portable has been tipped to take over the street, but one thing that has seen his career go back and forth has been his regular involvement in controversies. To a professional colleague, his middle name is literarily “Controversy”.

No doubt, the foregoing deleterious public perception he has negatively earned himself is never a surprise to anyone as he has been talking himself into trouble and burning bridges that ought to have earned him collaborations, say in future, with well comported stars in Nigeria’s music industry. No! It is not portable. For the umpteenth times, like the Nza bird (small bird) in Igbo proverb that ate and drank and challenged his personal god to a combat, Portable has for the umpteenth times been challenging his senior colleagues, and even veterans in the entertainment sector that he is better than all of them when it comes to making musical hits and pulling crowds or better still “one million boy” followers. Even if it is true that he is better than them, does he need to say it? I know most of his followers will not agree with the foregoing viewpoint but they should not forget that our elders say, “The downfall of a man begins with pride. A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride”. A similar proverb says, “If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom”.

It would be recalled that Portable was nominated in the Best Street artiste and Rookie of the Year categories at the Headies award alongside Av, Fave, Magicx and Ugocci. Unfortunately, the Headies disqualified him as a nominee due to how he had generated attention from the Nigeria police and the general public.

Part of the statement read, “We regret to announce that following numerous indicting statements made by Mr. Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as ‘Portable’, and the incessant negative attention that Mr. Okikiola has garnered from the Nigeria Police and the general public in recent times. The organisers of the Headies have resolved to disqualify Mr Okikiola as a nominee at the forthcoming 15th Headies Awards.”

Though he has apologized to the organizers of the Nigerian prestigious music award, the Headies, following his disqualification. However, to me I think he needs to be more genteel in public places, excuse himself for while from social media space platforms, and even hire a Public Relations practitioner to be managing his image. I’m not talking about the usual Artiste managers in this context, but a professional public relations manager who may even be handling his social media account dedicated to his music career.

There is no denying the fact that he is talented coupled with the grace of God, but he should take it easy, and probably called to other by those that has close relationships with him.