“We should all stay and fight for the country” – Femi kuti urges Nigerians

• Femi Kuti stressed that he has no intentions of relocating to another country because even those countries had to fight for their freedom
• He urged Nigerians to recognise their responsibility to fight for their own country and to make it better.

Prominent Nigerian singer, Femi Kuti, has spoken out about the mass emigration trend, popularly known as the “japa”.

During the 2024 Felebration festival, Kuti emphasized the importance of fighting for a better country, rather than abandoning it.

He highlighted that even countries that are popularly relocated to, such as those in Europe, had to fight for their freedom.

Femi Kuti stressed that Nigerians have a responsibility to stay and work towards making their country better, rather than relying on other countries to provide a sense of security and stability.

He said:

“People have asked me, ‘Shey you no go japa?’ japa to where?”

“Let me tell you about Europe; you see Europe and what made it great. Do you think they ran away? No, they fought; Europe fought hundreds of civil wars; dem just dey kill themselves. America had one of the worst civil wars in history, which is why till today Americans still carry guns.

“We must understand that we have to stay here and fight for a better country that we love. We did not build the Fela Shrine in Los Angeles or in London; we built it in Africa. Get your senses together because this country depends on you.

“Made is a British citizen but where is he? He is in Nigeria, and he cannot be anywhere else. What does he want to do there? If they call him for work, he’d go there to play and come back. Who would take over the shrine? I want to retire.”

In another story, Yeni Kuti opens up on why her brother, Femi’s ex-wife divorced him.

She said:

“I think [Femi and Funke’s divorce was a result of] a communication breakdown. Because Funke even now says if she had known then what she knows now, she probably wouldn’t have left the marriage. So, I think it was a communication breakdown.

“You know, you need to know our people, our people, we can be very devilish. If you see something that is good, it’s how you will bring it down that you will now focused on.

“So, a lot of people have been talking to her. It’s just like me, people are saying, ‘Why are you still dancing for your brother? Go and form your own band.’ Which band do I want to form? Did I ever come and meet you that I want to form a band?”