Adebayo Adenrele
Social Media Activist, Reno Omokri said Yoruba people are loved around the globe as a result of their culture, generosity, actions, romance and especially, music.
Omokri stated this via his verified X handle while highlighting the relevance of Yoruba peoples in the foreign land.
He wrote, “Everywhere in Europe and America, people are gravitating towards Nigerian culture. Specifically, Yoruba culture.
“Imagine my utter amazement to see the crowd Burna Boy pulled in Kosovo. This is a part of Eastern Europe that was war-torn and almost impervious to Black people until not too long ago. And now you have tens of thousands of young people gaga for Afrobeats.
“Even in South Africa, where there is intense xenophobia against Nigerians, and Kenya, where there is growing xenophobia against our people, they are beginning to micromanage and geo-target their xenophobia. Which I do not agree with. I am just telling you what is happening.
“South Africans and Kenyans do not resent all Nigerians. Sadly, they have a negative view of some Nigerians, but not all.
“South African and Kenyan women love Yoruba men. In fact, that is only half the story. Yoruba men, and even Yoruba demons, are loved worldwide. Because they are generous with money, romantic in song, word and actions, and love to party. Which woman will not love that combo?
“And even when you look at Nigerian culture, what aspect is most successful?
“Of course, it is our music. But not just music of Nigerian origin. Specifically, music of Yoruba origin.
“One day, I asked myself why Yoruba music is so successful. Of Africa’s top ten most streamed artistes, six are Nigerian, and five are fully or partly Yoruba, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Davido and Ayra Starr. And now, Asake is about to join the list.
“Of the top ten highest-grossing Nollywood movies, 100% are by Yoruba actors or directors.
“I then decided to analyse these cultural phenomena. And what I discovered is that Yoruba music and movies by Yoruba directors tend to promote and project the brighter side of life: enjoyment, cruise, gbedu, romantic love, boasting, sadly, fornication (which I don’t approve of), hanging out with your friends.
“Believe it or not, I listened to thirty of the most streamed songs by Yoruba artistes and not one of them was about any subject that could make you sad or melancholy. No song about unrequited love, heartbreak, or sorrow in society. They were all upbeat and optimistic, making you feel good about yourself and life.
“You cannot listen to Yoruba music and be depressed. You will not vex. Rather, you will flex and get rid of any hex! The Yoruba are a people that deal in optimism and positivity.
“If you travel to London, England and take a bus to Peckham, you will see warmth, joy, positivity and many Yorubas.
@Please fact-check me: Peckham is the neighbourhood with the highest population density of Yorubas outside Nigeria. And guess what? In 2019, TimeOut magazine and Business Insider officially named Peckham the coolest place in the United Kingdom and the eleventh coolest place on planet Earth.
“Whereas there are racial tensions and anti-immigration protests in other parts of the UK, Peckham has been rated the place more White Anglo-Saxons want to go. And this is a place where more than 50% of the population identifies as Black.
“Whether in Nigeria or abroad, we can all increase our chances of being loved, welcomed and admired by projecting warmth and positivity rather than aggressiveness and competition.
“Look at America. The highest-ranking Nigerian there is Yoruba-Wale Adeyemo, United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. In England, the top-ranking Nigerian is Kemi Badenoch.
“Why are Yorubas Nigeria’s best ambassadors? It all boils down to this quote by Maya Angelou:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.