Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has sparked intense backlash on social media after her public reaction to the recent school abduction incident in Oyo State, with critics accusing her of delayed response and performative outrage. The incident, which occurred nearly two weeks prior, involved the abduction of schoolchildren and the tragic death of a teacher, prompting widespread outrage across the country. Tiwa Savage shared a video expressing her concern, stating she only learned about the event after seeing a post by fellow musician Spyro. She admitted to being shocked that the story had not gained significant traction online, and revealed she had to seek information from media personality KieKie, who confirmed the incident happened almost two weeks earlier.
In her video, Savage said, “The kidnapping that happened in Oyo State, it was just yesterday that Spyro was speaking about it, that I heard about it. I tried to reach out to some people to know the background story because it was not trending. I saw KieKie’s post, and she said it was almost two weeks ago.” Her comments, while intended to show concern, were met with sharp criticism on X (formerly Twitter), where users questioned her timing and sincerity. Many accused her of being out of touch with national issues, especially given the severity of the crime and the emotional toll it has taken on families and communities.
Some social media users went further, alleging political bias, with one user writing, “She’s pro Tinubu btw Performative ass shit.” Others mocked her emotional tone, sarcastically commenting, “She deserved an award for her reaction.” Another user pointed out the irony, saying, “Reaching out to people to get the story ke??😭na story she suppose dey look for?” The criticism intensified as more users highlighted that the incident had been reported weeks ago, and questioned why Savage had not spoken up sooner. One user noted, “She say na yesterday she see am 😂 News of close to 2wks now,” while another observed, “It’s almost as if these so-called celebs are waiting for one person to start it and they will turn on their cameras too.”
The controversy reflects a growing public demand for authenticity and timely engagement from public figures, especially during national crises. Celebrities are increasingly expected to respond promptly to urgent social issues, not just when they trend or when others speak up. Tiwa Savage’s situation has reignited conversations about the role of influencers in shaping public discourse and the responsibility that comes with their platform. As the nation continues to grapple with insecurity, especially in educational institutions, the spotlight remains on how public figures choose to respond — and when. This incident underscores the importance of proactive engagement and genuine concern, rather than reactive, performative gestures.
Leave a Comment