Igbos Have Played a Major Role in Boosting Lagos Economy – Rapper Illbliss Condemns Ethnic Division
Rapper Illbliss has called on Nigerians to be more accommodating of different ethnic groups, highlighting the contributions of Igbos to the economy of Lagos.
Igbos Have Played a Major Role in Boosting Lagos Economy – Rapper Illbliss Condemns Ethnic Division
Illbliss is tired of the ethnic division that has become a recurring theme in Nigerian politics and social discourse, and he decided to use his platform to say something about it. Speaking on the Outside The Box podcast, the rapper highlighted the contributions of Igbo residents to the economy of Lagos, particularly in trade and commerce, pointing out that many of the biggest markets in Lagos are dominated by Igbo traders who have been there for generations. He stressed that their impact on the state's growth cannot be ignored or erased, and he questioned how Lagos would function if all Igbo residents were asked to leave, an idea that has been floated by some politicians and tribalists in recent years. His comments are a direct response to the divisive rhetoric that suggests non-indigenes should return to their places of origin, a dangerous idea that threatens the unity and economic stability of the country.
The rapper expressed concern over the growing hostility toward non-indigenes in various states, arguing that Nigeria's strength lies in its diversity rather than in any single ethnic group. He pointed out that Lagos would not be the economic powerhouse it is today without the contributions of Igbo traders, Yoruba innovators, Hausa businessmen, and other ethnic groups who have made the city their home and invested their lives there. To suggest that people should leave based on their ethnicity is not only divisive and hateful but also economically destructive, as it would empty markets, shut down businesses, and destroy livelihoods that depend on the cooperation of different ethnic groups. Illbliss believes that Nigerians must learn to see themselves as one people rather than as tribes competing for resources that belong to everyone.
The online space has been buzzing with reactions to Illbliss's statement, with people from different ethnic groups weighing in on both sides. Some people agree with him completely, saying that ethnic division is a distraction from the real issues facing Nigeria, such as corruption, poverty, and insecurity. They argue that Nigerians should focus on holding their leaders accountable rather than fighting among themselves over who is indigenous to which city. Others have pushed back, arguing that indigenes have a right to prioritize their own people and that the contributions of non-indigenes are often exaggerated to justify what they see as an invasion of their ancestral lands. A few have pointed out that similar arguments about ethnic contributions have been used in other countries to stir up conflict, and Nigeria should not go down that dangerous path. Illbliss has not responded to the backlash, and he stands by his statement because he believes that silence in the face of ethnic division is complicity. He wants Nigerians to understand that the country is stronger together and that no single region or ethnic group can thrive while others are marginalized and oppressed. His message is simple but powerful – stop the ethnic division, stop the hateful rhetoric, and start working together for the good of the country. Whether his words will change any minds is uncertain, but at least he has added his voice to the conversation, and that is more than many celebrities are willing
to do.
Source: TrendyBeatz
