Recorded in collaboration with prominent German artistes and producers including the man who discovered the now defunct Bonny M, Frank Farian. Wilson, a Michael Jackson look-alike, says proceeds from the CD and VCD would be dedicated to the support and rehabilitation of the girls and their families upon their release. In this chat with Chuks Eze, Wilson opens up on the journey so far.
Mere looking at you one would think you’re a woman…
I am a full-fledged man (Laughter). Sometimes people address me as a woman but I always ask them to take a look at my chest; I don’t have boobs.
But for your voice, you look every inch a woman…
I look the way I do because I’m a showman; that’s all I can say. Entertainment business is not something you just jump into and try to look like every other person if you want to make reasonable impact. You have to be unique in your own right. Remember the late king of pop, Michael Jackson, my mentor, who carved a niche for himself during his time because he was different. That’s what every showman should strive for; and that’s why I look the way I do.
How long have you been in Germany?
I’ve been there for close to 26 years.
Do your feminine looks have anything to do with being gay?
No, it doesn’t.
Would you try out the practice under any circumstance?
Never! Both our laws and society abhor it. I believe that nobody was born gay. They get involved due to one reason or the other. And according to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, we should not condemn them but pray for them.
Are you married?
Yes, I’ve been married with kids for almost 25 years. I have a 24-years-old daughter currently studying Law at the university.
With your looks if you were a woman, you’d be a hot babe, right?
I don’t know about that. But thank God I’m not a babe (laughter). But it’s good to look good and be beautiful. I believe that beautiful people have good hearts. They are always pretty inside out; that’s the way I feel.
Are you pretty inside out?
I know I’m not a bad person. I hate seeing people suffering or being persecuted.
How long are you staying in Nigeria?
If everything works according to plan, I should be around for about three months.
Are you saying everything including going into politics or…?
Politics! No, man; I came down here because of the issue of the abduction of Chibok Girls. I came here to promote a charity campaign in line with the global BringBackourGirls campaign. I have recorded a single to drive the campaign.
So, what do you intend to achieve with the song?
I want to use it to appeal to Boko Haram. I want them to listen to the song, feel touched and release the girls. They are human beings and I know they would be touched when they listen to the song and realise how God blesses and loves everybody no matter who you are and where you are coming from or what you are passing through.
They would realise what it feels like for young innocent girls to be in captivity and unable to see their parents for over two months and counting. They should imagine their daughters, sisters or friends being in such a situation. We also intend to raise funds through the sales of the CD and DVD to support the families of the girls and take care of the girls’ rehabilitation upon their release. I was utterly shocked when I heard the sad news in Germany. And I’ve been following up on the development ever since. I quickly called up some artistes in Germany including ace music producers, Frank Farian, the man who discovered the now defunct Bonny M and Gunther Coach, who is presently working with Alicia Keys. And with their cooperation, we produced God Bless the Children.
Why did you entitle it God Bless The Children and not God Release The Children?
It’s God’s blessing and grace that would see the girls through and ensure they are released. And the same blessing is what would enable them to cope with life after their release. I’m sure that by the time members of Boko Haram hear the song, they would be touched and let the girls off the hook.
How do you intend to get them to listen to the song?
They will definitely hear it and watch the video via social network. Both the audio and video versions of the song would be on the internet and I’m sure they have access to social media.
When are you launching the campaign and how do you plan to raise the kind of money needed to take care of over 200 girls and their families?
I know it would not be an easy task but I am certain that with the support of the good people of Nigeria and my international collaborators, we would be able to achieve our goals. But the campaign is already on through the efforts of my media consultant, Frank Chike. And I am also banking on the support of the Nigerian media as well and all Nigerian citizens. Therefore, the first step towards making it achievable is for people to buy the God Bless The Girls CDs en masse; it has the audio and video versions. And if every Nigerian family and every business firm could pick up a copy of the CD, it would go a very long way.
And I trust Nigerians because they did it during the 2012 flood in the country and I’m certain they can still do it again. As you know, the job wouldn’t stop at having the girls released. A greater challenge would arise after their release in terms of welfare and rehabilitation. I told you earlier that I have a 24-years-old daughter. I can’t imagine what would become of me if someone called me up and told me she had been kidnapped for a day, not to talk of two months. If we keep that at the back of our minds, then can we appreciate what the parents of the girls are going through. Whatever Boko Haram’s interest is, they don’t have the right to abduct any citizen of this beautiful country.
Are you impressed with the efforts of the government towards rescuing the girls?
Oh yes. The government is doing well. But they also need the support and cooperation of Nigerians to make their efforts more fruitful. And that’s why we are promoting this campaign in support of government. I am also grateful to all the local and foreign individuals, groups and the media, who are genuinely protesting against the Chibok abduction. I am urging government to try and discuss with the sect. I believe that both parties would definitely reach a truce at the round table.
I hear many people say the government is not doing enough but I don’t think that notion is correct. I believe that no father would go to sleep when his daughters are endangered. You would notice that Mr. President has gone grey since this issue started. That means he is worried, maybe, even more worried than any of us. So, the government and security agencies need our support. But like I said, I still believe the government and Boko Haram need to hold talks.
How has it been running the campaign so far?
I thought the job was going to be easy but ever since I came down, it hasn’t been rosy at all. In Germany, running this kind of campaign is easier. But I was surprised to learn upon my return that the protest against the abduction issue is a bit relaxed here as against what obtains in Europe. Over there, people appear more worried and concerned. The approach is different here. I hear that it is a bit louder in Abuja but even at that, organized genuine campaign and protest against the mass abduction is more intense overseas. It shouldn’t just be based in Abuja alone. We should all be concerned and involved because it could have been any other girl from any part of the country.
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Why I sing for Chibok girls–Marc Wilson, Germany- based Nigerian singer |
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