Nigerian rapper Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, known professionally as Illbliss, has shared his perspective on the significant role Igbos play in Lagos State's economy. The music star made these remarks during a recent appearance on the Outside The Box podcast, where he discussed tribalism, ethnicity, and national unity.
Illbliss on Igbo Contributions to Lagos
Illbliss argued that non-indigenes, particularly the Igbo community, have been instrumental in the growth and development of Lagos through trade and commerce. He reflected on the economic impact of Igbo traders and entrepreneurs in Nigeria's commercial capital, stating that it is difficult to imagine Lagos functioning at the same level without their massive contributions. "The Igbos have given a lot to the Lagos economy in terms of trade and commerce," he said.
The rapper questioned the recurring sentiments directed at non-indigenes during political and social conversations. He expressed shock at comments asking non-indigenes to leave the states where they live and work. "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,'" he stated.
Call for National Unity
Illbliss expressed concern about Nigeria's inability to fully embrace unity despite decades of coexistence among different ethnic groups. He lamented that tribalism, religious sentiments, and ethnic divisions remain major obstacles to national progress. According to him, Nigerians should be more accommodating and accepting of one another, regardless of their origins. "We have no business not being accommodating of each other. But sadly, we are still plagued by tribalism, ethnic and religious divides," he stated.
Reactions from Social Media
The interview sparked reactions from social media users. @seanelhadji commented that migrating to a place comes with a responsibility to contribute to its peace and development, and suggested that if Lagos pushed all Igbos out and opened doors to other nationals, it could become even more prosperous, citing examples from Abidjan and Addis Ababa. @Seunforjesus criticized some Igbo individuals for what he called ungrateful behavior, while @lescroe argued that discrimination is not limited to Igbo versus Yoruba but is an innate human tendency to find convenient distinctions.
Illbliss Celebrates 15th Wedding Anniversary
In related news, Legit.ng reported that Illbliss celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Munachiso. The Indigenous star shared images on social media of himself, his wife, and their children. He stated that his gorgeous wife captured his heart and has protected it for 15 years of marriage and five years of courtship.
