Nollywood stakeholders like Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), Okey Bakassi and a host of others have come together to denounce the violence that has become commonplace in the country, particularly leading to the general elections for February 14.
Under the hashtag, #NoBaga, they are calling on Nigerians to vote, note hate.
According to Anyiam-Osigwe, who addressed the media at the Civic Centre in Lagos last Tuesday, the gathering was not convened by herself and KOK to campaign for anybody, but to say that when Nigerians go to the polls, they should eschew hatred, which will lead to violence, and dispense with their civic responsibility of casting their votes peacefully.
She lamented that at the same time that the Baga incidence that led to the death of 2,000 Nigerians took place, France also lost 12 people to terrorist attack and over 40 leaders marched in Paris to denounce that attack; but Baga did not even merit a mention.
Their plan was to gather on February 7 at the Sky Power ground, GRA, Ikeja, in what they called Unity Day, to pray for the souls of those lost in Baga.
She explained that they put together three trucks with relief materials for the people displaced in Adamawa, Maiduguri and Kaduna.
KOK reiterated that Nigerians should vote, not hate. “Why do we need to kill ourselves over elections? This cause is one that must be supported by everybody for a Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.
Speaker after speaker at the event including comedian and actor, Okey Bakassi; film producer, Paul Okoli; actress Nkiru Umeh, and others all spoke against violence and the need to promote peace in the country, emphasising that the alternative was better imagined than experienced.