HOME DOESN'T CARE, BUT I WILL STILL SERVE HOME

I woke up this morning to pictures of 2Baba and his wife at Nasarawa state government residence in Abuja. They paid a visit to my governor and later I found out that the icon himself is planning to host an event soon. The news poured out a public outrage. The outrage is not because of the event, but because people fear local talents will once again be abandoned. For some of us, that’s an old trauma about to be triggered.

Truth is, I’m excited that 2Baba is coming. He’s a legend. Maybe his presence will shine some light on our creative economy. We actually have a handful of artists here who are globally ready, hardworking creatives who have been at this for a very looooooong time!

But I can’t lie, my concerns are still heavy. How many local talents has our state truly supported? When the president visited, did any homegrown artist perform? Do our leaders even see the effort we put into building this industry? Do they even care?

Nasarawa State is blessed with talent, not just raw talent, but disciplined and strategic people making music that can stand anywhere in the world. For years, the excuse was that we weren’t producing good enough music. Some of us took that challenge, leveled up, and proved otherwise. Yet when we take our work to government, they shower us with promises that never see the light of day. I know this because I’ve lived it.

There was a time I thought of leaving Nasarawa for greener pastures. Honestly, home often feels like it wants to choke us. The so called “top dogs” are full of empty promises. Even uncles and aunties who have access to funds don’t seem to care. Until I see otherwise, I’ll believe they prefer to keep us down.

But here’s where I stand now: instead of running, I’ll stay. I’ll work harder, pray harder, and share my gift with the world. I won’t beg home anymore. Home may not value what I carry, but there are people out there who do.

And let me pause to say this: not everyone at home has turned a blind eye. There are true supporters who have stood with us, cheered us on, and believed in us even when the system didn’t. Those ones matter. Their encouragement has kept many of us going when we felt like giving up. To them, I owe gratitude.

Yes, home still breaks my heart. Home is always the last to notice my progress, blind to the sleepless nights and sweat I pour in. Home forgets its own. Still, I refuse to give up on it. I’ll keep working here, sending my voice out to the world. And if the world calls me in, I’ll go but I’ll go carrying the story of my home.

Maybe one day, home will remember. Maybe one day, home will finally give me that sincere push to grow stronger. I just hope that day comes while I’m still here to see it.

As for 2Baba’s event, I wish them the best, I know it will be the bomb but, I expect nothing new. The gatekeepers have it locked already, and they’ll do what they’ve always done. But at the very least, my fellow creatives must keep pushing, keep shining, and keep making themselves proud.

Home may not care, but home is all we have.