My Binoculars:

Fela, Seun Kuti, Wizkid and the Erratic Beliefs of The Generation Zees in Nigeria

By: Bodunrin Kayode

One of the most unintelligent discussions I have heard in recent times is the comparison of a human institution like Fela Kuti to any ordinary individual. It sounds so dumb, awkward and misplaced that sometimes one wonders why so called “right thinking people” wander into such useless discussions like the impulsive Z generation known popularly as genzees. Most generation Zee fellows are adventurous and misuse communication using the latest Ai technology which makes them to assume they are smarter than even the millennials, born before 2000 who are much more closer to them than the generation X which reigned long after legends like Fela Kuti was born.

This is because they can make enormous amounts of money through music or any crafts with the help of the AI technology. Those who find themselves in the culture, art and music are the worse because they become millionaires by just talking or singing any rubbish like they do in the contemporary music at times and it is called “content” fit for consumption. Some even use very foul languages not fit for the airspace yet unfit presenters and uneducated DJ’s call them influencers following after the way of the west where all manner of crude and uncouth behavioral pattern becomes the norm. There is no reason for the comparison of Fela a “baby boomer” to a restless kid like Wizkid. It is an abomination and should never happen under the sun. It’s a sin for anyone to make such comparison because Fela is the founder of the genre of the music most of the genzee musicians are singing today. How does an angel or a mere mortal compare himself to their Creator? Such thoughts should not be allowed to take place at all. It’s disgusting.

Wizkid’s obscene challenge of Fela’s position as the founder of afro beat as it is known today

Imagine a badly influenced genzee element who calls himself Wizkid wakes up and suddenly realizes that he is actually an adult fit to contest superiority with an institution like Baba Fela Kuti. As far as some of us who witnessed the great “anikulapo” Kuti first hand in his shrine can remember, Wizkid was not born when Fela challenged ruthless military authorities to account for their wicked deeds against the people. Consequently, it is really needless for even Seun Kuti to be in a hurry to defend the larger than life pedigree of his father. That too will be heavy for Seun to stand up, carry on his head and defend. He should have allowed all those who were mentees of Fela to get up and take up verbal arms against attention seeking detractors led by this Wiz Pekin way nor know say the thing way elders de see at the foot of a palm tree e nor go see am at all even if he climbs up to the top of the tree. It is often said in Yoruba language that ” Atari ajanaku kii se ewu omode” meaning that the head of an elephant is not the kind of load a child can carry.” And this is for Wizkid who has refused to grow up. Fela’s daughter aunty Yeni and Femi Kuti have placed it succinctly in recent responses to the altercation between Seun and WizKid. And the summary of what they said is that it was pointless fighting for someone who became an institution long before his demise. And long before Wizkid was born or started imitating the nuances of Baba Fela in the name of Afro beat. Fela was idolized by millions of mentees all over the world and we don’t need to ask the family to produce evidence of this. That history was removed from the curriculum of genzees making it difficult for them to understand the past is not their fault. It is a calculated plot of the oligarchs who have an agenda and would not want even millennials to remember who was Funmilayo Ransome Kuti the mother of Fela and what role she played in raw activism against the jack boots of colonialists in Nigeria.

Abani Eda, the deity who walked around with death in his pocket

Fela regarded himself as the ” abani Eda” the strange one who changed his name from Ransome Kuti to Anikulapo Kuti meaning he walked around with death in his pocket. That itself was a dangerous threat to the military who hunted him day and night looking for faults to kill him. He never gave them the opportunity to humiliate or intimidate him even after killing his mother Fumilayo Ransom Kuti whom they thought was his spiritual backbone. Rather, it made Fela more daring and horned the activist in him further. Incarceration equally never broke him because that is always the bottom line of any dictatorial government involved in repressive tendencies.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, Fela Kuti was not just an individual that can be messed around with but a deity of some sorts who fought the deadliest battles in his life against injustice. A man that built the foundation for a genre of music which is now called “afro beat” today and one badly brought up genzee brat just wakes up to name drop and equate himself to Fela the oracle of afro beat in the whole world..it’s so insulting and unintelligent of him to even conceive this kind of talk about “I big pass your papa” “or i get money pass your papa” while thrashing a beef with Seun Kuti. It was arrant nonsense that should never be allowed to be prolonged afterwards Fela reached out to the entire world with his popular pidgin English lyrics which dominated even interviews with international news media houses. Of a truth, this talk about who is greater should not even arise because it is uncalled for, insulting and a dangerous mark of disrespect against the iconic statue of Fela Kuti.

For young people like Wizkid who do not know who Fela is, they should go take a look into his background because none of them were born when Fela dared to speak to power including military governments which was in vogue in Nigeria before 2000 when the generation zees started coming into this world.
My advice to the Kuti Family is to ignore the young man because we all know about his dangerous genzee influencing roles and exigencies way beyond what Fela would have tolerated in his Ikeja Shrine.

Fela, Seun Kuti, Wizkid and the Erratic Beliefs of The Generation Zees in Nigeria

Troops foil ambush attempt, recover supplies linked to terrorists in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), as part of Operation Desert Sanity V, have foiled an attempted ambush by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Bulayobe–Darel Jamel axis in Borno.

Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 5:35 a.m. on Feb. 13 when troops, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force volunteers, were on night ambush duty at Papa 4, approximately 4.1 kilometres from the Forward Operating Base.

The troops reportedly sighted elements of Boko Haram attempting to cross the Main Supply Route from the Cameroon axis toward the Nigerian axis.

On sighting the insurgents, the troops engaged them with heavy gunfire, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray.

During exploitation of the area, troops recovered two sacks bearing inscriptions with phone numbers and names of alleged senders and receivers.

According to the sources, one of the sacks was marked with a sender’s details traced to Kano, while the receiver’s contact was traced to Maiduguri.

Items recovered from the sacks include 28 scarves, 10 Kampala materials, three praying mats, three copies of the Qur’an and other religious books, four cashmere materials, 40 bicycle parts, one sewing machine, one machine oil, one measuring tape and screwdriver, three eye drops, and four packs of ampicillin medication.

Further exploitation of the area yielded no additional items.

Military sources said troops have continued to maintain an aggressive posture, heightening surveillance and vigilance to deny terrorists freedom of action within their area of responsibility.

They added that the general situation within the area remains under control, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory.

Troops foil ambush attempt, recover supplies linked to terrorists in Borno

NIMC to Launch Nationwide Ward-Level NIN Enrollment February 16

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that it will commence nationwide ward-level enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The commission said the initiative follows a presidential directive mandating NIMC to expand NIN registration to the grassroots in order to capture more Nigerians and legal residents in the National Identity Database.

In a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, NIMC said the ward-level exercise is aimed at ensuring comprehensive registration of all citizens and legal residents, including children and adults. The enrollment will be conducted free of charge.

According to the commission, the move aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive governance, national development and broader access to identity services.

NIMC described the ward-level rollout as a strategic step toward decentralising identity services and improving accessibility, particularly for residents in rural and underserved communities. By taking enrollment centres closer to communities, the commission said it hopes to reduce travel burdens and encourage wider participation.

As part of preparations for the exercise, NIMC said it has begun engaging key stakeholders at national, state and local government levels. Sensitisation and awareness campaigns are ongoing to educate the public on the importance and benefits of obtaining a NIN.

The commission disclosed that state governments, local government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations and faith-based organisations are being consulted to ensure seamless implementation across wards nationwide.

NIMC urged Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to enroll to take advantage of the opportunity, calling on families to register their children, parents and wards during the exercise.

The ward enrollment schedule, which will guide the rotational movement of licensed front-end partners and NIMC staff, is available on the commission’s website, www.nimc.gov.ng.

Adegoke said for inquiries, assistance or complaints, members of the public can contact NIMC through its toll-free line: 08000616462.

The commission reiterated its commitment to expanding identity coverage across the country and strengthening the national database as a foundation for effective planning, service delivery and economic inclusion.

NIMC to Launch Nationwide Ward-Level NIN Enrollment February 16