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‘I’m desperate to help displaced persons in Nigeria’ – 2FACE

NIGERIAN superstar, 2Face Idibia, was on Friday, July 4, 2014, investitured as an ambassador of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in a strategic partnership to help the increasing community of internally displaced persons across the country.
2Face had before now been actively involved in several humanitarian projects, especially through his 2Face Reach Out Foundation.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with the singer on his new partnership with the Red Cross, where he revealed his reasons for embarking on the project, his passion for displaced persons in Nigeria, among other issues.

...with Red Cross officials
…with Red Cross officials

Congratulations on your investiture as an ambassador of the Nigerian Red Cross?
Thank you very much, one love.
What does this alliance with the Red Cross mean to you?
The fact is that I desperately want to help victims of all these tragedies in Nigeria.  I’m mostly concerned about people living as refugees in Nigeria due to one conflict, disaster or the other.  These people need our help to make life a little bit easier for them.  For me, it is a very important alliance and I’m glad I can be of help.  It is a big challenge too, it means it is time to roll up my sleeves and start work.  This is an opportunity to contribute and do what I have promised to do.
Why exactly are you doing this?
Many reasons.  As we speak, Nigeria has the largest number of children globally who miss school as increased insecurity in the North shuts down centres and prevents access. Of the 10.5 million children out of school, 60 per cent are girls.  This is worrisome.  We have seen in recent times that government and civil society organizations cannot do it alone.  We all have parts to play in making Nigeria work. This is why we have taken this big step in improving the plight of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
Of all organizations to partner with, why Red Cross?
My colleagues and I have followed closely the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross Society and I must confess that we are inspired and excited at the chance to support this cause.  If you remember in 2013, through the Million Voices for Peace campaign we inspired and rewarded young peace builders in Nigeria by way of seed grants to continue peace building efforts.  This partnership with Red Cross gives us more opportunities to do more.
You are an icon to the younger generation of Nigerians, what’s your message to them on this issue of insecurity?
When we hangout, we don’t look at where we are from, we don’t care what language you speak or ethnicity or even your religion.  Let us not be brainwashed into the political divide that the politicians and religious leaders are creating.  Let’s ignore all that and acknowledge that we are one under the sun.  We need to live in harmony.
How do we know this is not a publicity stunt like some artistes do when they pretend to care?
All I would say is that in the coming weeks, you will see all the activities we have lined up.  I wouldn’t want to say much because action, they say, is louder than words.  For those who do charity or humanitarian work for publicity, you and your God, una go face unaselves.  Who am I to judge anybody?
Apart from this Break The Silence song you released in support of the abducted Chibok girls and other tragedy victims, what else are you planning to do?
First, I want you to know that I have worked on many music projects but the experience we shared producing Break The Silence is special for me and my friends.  Without peace there would be no 2Face or any of us here today.  We may never know how many dreams have been aborted because of conflicts and other disasters.  Second, there’s a whole lot of movement that the Red Cross is putting together.  I believe before next week runs out, we will reveal a list of planned activities.
The basic thing we are doing is to raise money, create more awareness and preach the message of peace.  I have been doing a lot before, but with this partnership, we can have more reach.  If I have something, I can pass it through the Red Cross.  Some people from last year flood are still languishing till today and a lot of money was donated but at the end of the day the money probably didn’t get to them.

–               DANIEL FAYEMI

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