Your existence has nothing to do with Benue – Tiv activist blasts BBNaija’s Kiddwaya

In a Facebook post, activist Kengkeng Ati expressed his frustration and disappointment with BBNaija star Kiddwaya’s perceived lack of connection to his Benue roots. Ati stated that Kiddwaya, though Tiv by birth, doesn’t think, feel, or act like a Tiv person, and his entire existence has nothing to do with Benue as a whole.

According to the activist, Kiddwaya thinks in English and has little connection to his cultural heritage. Ati acknowledged that as a people, they made significant efforts to honor Kiddwaya through a remarkable homecoming event to showcase him on the homefront. However, he observed that Kiddwaya didn’t seem to feel at home during the event, and his team’s treatment of his nanny during the occasion left a lot to be desired.

Ati further pointed out that, despite the grand homecoming event, there has been little tangible impact on the local community. No local artists, comedians, fashion designers, or show promoters have capitalized on the connection with Kiddwaya for their benefit. The activist expressed his belief that Kiddwaya desires to be associated with Lagos and London, where celebrities find greater success and recognition.

HE WROTE:

This guy is only Tiv by birth. He doesn’t think, feel or act Tiv. He thinks in English. He may only remember Terseer when he looks at his ID card. He has absolutely zero connection to his roots. His entire existence has nothing to do with Benue as a whole and it’s not his fault. If he grew up in Gboko, I would’ve understood but no. Y’all know that Gboko people are special. Kidd himself would’ve returned to Gboko first before London.

As a people, we did him some enigmatic honours by preparing an outstanding homecoming event to showcase him on the homefront. We did 100 times a better event than what other housemates got from their home states. Did he feel at home? No! Those of us who were close enough could interact with the nauseating responses and cosmetic comfort expressed throughout the 3 day event. See how his team treated his nanny, the lady that “babysat” him and you’ll understand better.

Today, nearly 3 years after, no local artist, comedian, fashion designer, show promoter…to my knowledge has made a thing through that connect. That is how these things go. We wanted to own him locally and that comes with its consequences but he desires to be owned by Lagos and London. That’s where stars are built and that’s where their celebrity lifestyles can get the traction it requires.

Other than the Homecoming event, what will bring him here again? How many of us know that there’s a Kiddwaya street in Makurdi? The access road to that street is the nightmare of ball joints and shock absorbers. Keep fuel aside for a minute. But that’s his mother doing what mothers do. She did more and hosted us in appreciation for a classic Homecoming event delivered.

My sense of entitlement is just in one area. We visited the IDP camp with a few embarassing items. We suffered media backlash over that outing and Kidd himself said he will be back with some more stuff. Make pesin tell am make e send small something for them as promised. We call Fada IDP and give him to deliver. Shikena! Other than that, we wish him the best as a brother and focus on local politics, hiking and pulling down the next fake story of an old woman that will marry a younger man. No hate!