Rapper Illbliss has stressed the importance of Nigerians embracing people from other ethnic groups living in their states and avoiding divisive comments targeted at non-indigenous residents.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast, the ‘Aiye Po Gan’ crooner used the Igbos in Lagos as a case study of non-indigenous residents’ contributions to development.
Illbliss noted that the Igbos have contributed significantly to the Lagos economy despite not being indigenes of the state.
He said it is regrettable that Nigerians are still struggling with tribalism and religious bigotry after decades of coexisting as a country.
“The Igbos have given a lot to the Lagos economy in terms of trade and commerce. I wonder how this town will be if you told every Igbo man to leave. So, I’m always shocked whenever I hear comments like, ‘If you’re not from Lagos State, go back to your state.’
“We have no business being where we are as a country. We have no business not being accommodating of each other. But sadly, we are still plagued by tribalism, ethnic and religious divides,” Illbliss remarked.
The rapper said Nigeria’s current situation sometimes makes him question whether the country should have existed as one nation from the beginning.