Actor and content creator Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has responded after a lone protester called on citizens to unfollow Nigerian celebrities across social media for allegedly remaining complicitly silent in the face of the current hardship in the country.
The protester, with the X handle TeniBegiloju, claimed that Nigerian celebrities—except for Mr Macaroni—do not deserve to be followed by Nigerians.
Sharing a placard that reads, “Nigerians, let’s unfollow all useless celebrities keeping quiet now,” the X user captioned it, “They don’t deserve our follow. The only person worthy of our respect is Mr Macaroni.”
However, in response, Mr Macaroni stated that he does not endorse such posts, emphasizing that celebrities are also citizens and should not be forced to make sacrifices others are not willing to make.
He said that when citizens truly desire change, they will lead the revolution themselves and will not wait for any celebrity.
He wrote:
“I would never endorse a post like this! Please do not ask celebrities to make sacrifices the people themselves are not ready to make.
“Celebrities are citizens like you. If the majority of the people are quiet, why should we blame celebrities?”
“Also, not all celebrities wish to speak on social issues. So it’s unfair to manipulate us into speaking about certain topics because even when we speak, we get attacked!”
“We can’t force people into advocacy simply because their line of work has made them famous.”
“Let me give an example: Nigerians will see their fellow Nigerian being brutalized by the police. Instead of coming together to stop it at that very moment, some will pass by, some will watch, and some will record. Then the same Nigerians will come online to attack celebrities for not speaking against police brutality.”
“When Nigerians truly want change, the people will not wait for any celebrity. The people will become their own celebrities, and they will lead and take charge!”
