Afro-beat singer, Burna Boy has announced the launch of an initiative, Project Protect, to provide financial, medical and legal services to #EndSARS protesters during and after the movement.
This comes few hours after his rapper girlfriend, Stefflon Don disclosed that her boyfriend is making contribution to the #EndSARS movement beyond joining social media conversations and physical protests.
She said this in defence of Burna Boy after he was called out on social media for not lending his voice to the #EndSARS movement like other celebrities have done, despite challenging youths in the past to stand up against injustice in the country.
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Burna Boy has now released a statement addressing this by expressing his commitment to the #EndSARS movement, launching the Project Protect initiative and other aids.
He stated;
I have taken the past week to gather my thoughts. I usually respond to these matters with my emotions and my frustrations, this time I have chosen to ignore the attempts; well-meaning or derogatory, to draw me out.
The singer expressed that the clamor for change in the country is not about him but a fundamental problem that affects all Nigerians.
He expressed concern that SARS police unit, if disbanded, may morph into another entity with different identity for with same purpose of oppressing Nigerians.
Burna Boy declared his commitment to the cause by first applauding the protestors exercising their right to assemble and fight for justice.
He then revealed the initiative which is a sub-fund under his charity named The Reach, explaining that the new platform will help protestors that are wrongfully harmed or arrested by SARS during and after the protests.
The singer also unveiled a foundation called Miseducation foundation, saying;
This initiative will primarily be focused on upward mobility of our community to give a voice and a platform. It will be a mix of sharing and providing educational/factual historical information to give perspective on the origins of our nation and our continent. We will also focus on providing broader platforms to amplify the creative and tech community (no matter the field).
He then stated that his music platform would continually be for the empowerment of Nigerians and Africans in general.
Read his full statement below;
I have taken the past week to gather my thoughts. I usually respond to these matters with my emotions and my frustrations, this time I have chosen to ignore the attempts; well-meaning or derogatory, to draw me out. This is not and should not be about me, it is about a fundamental problem that affects us all as Nigerians, as Africans, and as human beings. The state of our country, Nigeria is tricky, it has been from before i was born.
My greatest concern in all of this is that SARS will end now as it allegedly has several times in the past (I recall giving calls to end SARS during my USA tour in April 2019) and morph into a different entity down the line with a different form or a different name. In my opinion, abolishing the unit is a definite first step but we cannot afford to stop there.
The major issue is PROFILING. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED BY BOTH THE AUTHORITIES AND THE CITIZENRY. IT SHOULD NOT BE A CRIME TO BE A YOUNG PERSON IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY. The old adage that you cannot judge a book by it’s cover is a wise one.
The seriousness of recent events has required me to express my commitment to my people in the following format: –
1. Top of mind: First and foremost, I applaud all of the protestors exercising their right to assemble and fight for justice.
2. PROJECT PROTECT: Have created a sub-fund under my charity – The Reach called (@projectprotectng) to help protestors that are wrongfully harmed/arrested by SARS during and after these protests. This is a fund for the people by the people.
3. Miseducation foundation: This initiative will primarily be focused on upward mobility of our community to give a voice and a platform. It will be a mix of sharing and providing educational/factual historical information to give perspective on the origins of our nation and our continent. We will also focus on providing broader platforms to amplify the creative and tech community (no matter the field).
My music is my essence and it is primarily for the empowerment of Nigerians and Africans. I have always and will always continue to use my voice for this cause as I deem fit not because I am forced to but because I have chosen to. Tiyamiu Kazeem, Isaac Mbge, Ifeoma Abugu, Chibuike Anams, Christian Ugwuoke, Aneke Okorie, Tina Ezekwe, Solomon Eze, Ayomide Taiwo, Godspower Edoha, Kolade Johnson, Chinedu Meniru, Augustina Arebu, Tunde Nafiu, Ifeanyi Ozor and those whose names are not known, may they never be forgotten.
