The Culture of Unsolicited Commentary: A Nigerian Pastime?
It’s either Nigerians have an insatiable appetite for bad news or a passion for sharing unsolicited opinions on matters that don’t concern them. The recent 2Face and Annie divorce rumor is a prime example. Before the news could even gain traction, self-proclaimed relationship experts and philosophers emerged, sharing lengthy epistles on social media.
Individuals with questionable relationship track records were quick to offer advice to Annie, as if they had cracked the code on everlasting love. “Annie wasted her youth!” “She should have left years ago!” The irony is palpable, considering the advisors’ own relationship histories are often marred by instability.
When will people learn to calm down and refrain from sharing unsolicited opinions? The rumor has been debunked, leaving one to wonder: what happens to the lengthy essays and advice columns now? Will they be deleted, edited, or simply left to gather dust, awaiting the next juicy rumor?
A similar scenario played out with Banky W and Adesua Etomi’s alleged cheating scandal. The rumor sparked a frenzy of speculation, with some individuals analyzing pictures and body language as if auditioning for a job with CNN. Meanwhile, the couple remained silent, refusing to feed the rumor mill.
Banky and Adesua’s approach is commendable. By not engaging with the rumor, they denied it oxygen, refusing to fuel the fire. It’s a valuable lesson in restraint, one that would serve many well.
Perhaps celebrity couples should adopt a strategy of sharing only cryptic, mundane updates, depriving the rumor mill of fodder. This might encourage people to focus on their own lives, rather than dissecting others’ relationships like a high school biology experiment.
To those who delight in sharing unsolicited opinions and advice, consider channeling that energy into something more productive. Focus on sorting your own life, rather than trying to fix others’. The world might just become a more peaceful, respectful place.
EXCERPT
It’s either Nigerians love bad news, or they just enjoy churning out TED Talks on things that don’t concern them. I mean, 2Face and Annie’s supposed divorce news didn’t even marinate for a full 30 minutes before Aristotle wannabes sprang up with epistles longer than a JAMB syllabus. People who’ve been in and out of three relationships in one week were already advising Annie like they’ve cracked the code on everlasting love. “Annie wasted her youth!” “She should have left years ago!” Ma’am, your own longest relationship is with your food delivery guy. When will you people learn to calm down? When?
And now, the rumor has been debunked. So, my question is: what happens to that essay you posted with 15 bullet points, an introduction, and a conclusion? Will you delete it? Will you edit it and add, “Oops, my bad”? Or will you just wait for the next rumor so you can rinse and repeat?
Same thing happened with Banky W and Adesua Etomi. Once the alleged cheating gist hit the streets, you all switched from Twitter users to investigative journalists. The way some of you analyzed pictures and body language, e be like you were auditioning for a job with CNN. Meanwhile, Banky and Adesua gave you nothing—zero updates, zero comments. They didn’t even bother to “address the matter.” And I respect them for that. Because what’s the point of feeding people who can’t even manage their own situations?
Honestly, I wish celebrity couples would just start posting cryptic pictures of sunsets, food, or their dogs. Imagine the chaos if all they gave you was, “My morning coffee was great” or “Tried a new restaurant today.” No captions, no explanations, no drama. Starve you people of content so you can focus on your own lives. Maybe then, you’d look at your parents’ marriage for inspiration instead of dissecting people’s unions like a high school biology experiment.
It’s wild how some people are out here fighting for love and happiness, while you’re fighting for retweets and likes over baseless rumors. Please, my dear epistle writers, channel that energy into something more productive—like sorting your DSTV subscription or fixing your situationship.
