The popular Nigerian musician, Habib Okikiola, better known as Portable, was barred from performing at the highly anticipated concert of Fuji legend Taye Currency in Ibadan, Oyo State, due to a controversial comment he made about the people of Oyo State. The concert, which took place yesterday, Thursday, 2 January 2025, sparked a heated reaction among Ibadan residents, particularly after Portable’s statement on social media, in which he claimed that the indigenous people of Ibadan and Oyo State, in general, do not own ‘POP houses.’
The comment, which was widely seen as an insult to the people of Ibadan, sparked a flurry of online backlash from locals, who felt offended by the musician’s sweeping generalization. Four days ago, a wave of warning messages flooded social media platforms as Ibadan indigenes expressed their displeasure with Portable’s remarks.
“I don’t think it was a wise thing for him to say, especially about a place where we take pride in our culture and heritage. He doesn’t know the history of Ibadan,” said Saheed Alao, a businessman from the ancient city.
Another resident, Mrs. Sammy Akande, a university lecturer, emphasized the impact of such comments on local pride. “Ibadan is a place of rich culture, and for someone to dismiss our people like that, it’s not something we can tolerate. We take our heritage very seriously, and his words were an insult to all of us,” she stated.
Amid the backlash, it was clear that the warning to Portable was not taken lightly. According to sources close to the event, the organizers of Taye Currency’s concert, after consulting with the local community and considering the backlash, decided to deny the controversial artist access to the stage.
“I was really looking forward to seeing Portable perform at Taye Currency’s show, but I support the decision to exclude him after his disrespectful comment. Ibadan deserves respect, and people should be careful about what they say about us,” said David John, a resident and music fan.
Speaking on the incident, local politician and youth leader, Jamiu Muili, criticized Portable’s lack of understanding of the diverse and proud culture of Ibadan. “It is clear that Portable’s comments were not well-thought-out. The people of Oyo, particularly Ibadan, are proud of their rich history, and such statements will only create unnecessary division.”
This incident highlights the increasing role of social media in shaping public opinion and the power of local communities to respond to perceived slights. It also raises questions about the responsibility of public figures when addressing sensitive cultural issues.
Taye Currency, whose concert was the main event, did not make any formal statement about Portable’s exclusion, but insiders suggest that the decision was made to avoid further controversy.
Portable, who is known for his often provocative statements on social media, has yet to respond to the backlash or explain his comments. However, the Ibadan community remains firm in its stance, determined to uphold the dignity of its people and culture.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the influence of social media and the need for public figures to be mindful of the words they use, especially when addressing the identity and culture of a proud community like Ibadan.
