Some Nigerians on social media have called for more attention to be given to cases of sexual violence and molestation following the release of Lifetime’s documentary, ‘Surviving R Kelly’.
`Surviving R. Kelly’ is a six-part documentary detailing sexual abuse allegations against American R & B artist R. Kelly in the U.S.
It aired over three nights, from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5, 2019.
Featuring more than 50 interviews, the show unpacks the R & B singer’s reported two-decade history of using money and fame to sexually abuse women, oftentimes young black girls.
Filmmaker and music critic Dream Hampton served as executive producer and musicians Chance the Rapper, John Legend and Stephanie ‘Sparkle’ Edwards appeared in the documentary.
Its premiere episode on Jan. 3 was Lifetime’s highest-rated program in more than two years, with 1.9 million total viewers including Nigerians who openly condemned the singer.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some Nigerians stated that sexual abuse of minors was rampant in the Nigerian society and needed to have as much light as the documentary.
They stressed the importance of picking lessons from the ways activists in the United States have been handling sexual abuse menace starting from the #MeToo movement.
According to them, the R Kelly issue was similar to the child marriage issue and paedophilia in Nigeria and the victims are like child brides who need help.
@Lolo_cy tweeted, “We need to discuss men who take advantage of young girls. The “you are more mature than your peers” to deceive them into believing that they are equal parties in the relationship.
“It’s very common in Nigeria and it’s normalized. We have too many R Kelly here.”
@Gwariboy said, “Nigerians, we can be some of the most hypocritical people on earth. Some of our men are busy marrying 12-year-olds and 14-year-olds legally, but we’re out here screaming R. Kelly is a demon.
“Charity begins at home. Shout out to the activists fighting child marriage in Nigeria.”
@Pattyadax tweeted, “In Nigeria, the likes of R Kelly come in both genders. Sadly, ours is not a society that openly discusses the ills of sexual assault or manipulation.
“Contrary to popular belief, some of our experiences have not made us stronger. We only chose to not talk about it.#SurvivingRKelly”
@Israel__li said, “This R Kelly stuff is really normalized in Nigeria. Because you all can’t tell me you didn’t know girls in secondary school that were dating boys in university.
“And to make matters worse they’d boast about it. ‘Oh my boyfriend is in 200l and he’s got a car’.”
@iam__YCEE tweeted, “Seeing a lot of you all weighing in on this R. Kelly p. My guys, check your niggaz first; girls are getting molested in Nigeria a lot CHECK YOUR ‘NIGGAZ’”.
@Sugabelly said, “Surviving R Kelly, Surviving R Kelly, but your housemaid is surviving your husband, your driver, and your son.”
@Zenmagazine tweeted, “There are so many uncles and men like R. Kelly living in Nigeria.
“I have heard stories from victims where there UNCLE molested them and when they told their moms they beat them saying they were lying against their uncle. So many women have untold stories.”
Some of R. Kelly’s hit songs include: `It Seems Like You’re Ready,’ ‘Feelin’ `On Yo Booty,’ `Ignition (Remix)’, `Down Low,’ `I Believe I Can Fly,’ `Step In The Name Of Love,’ `Bump N’Grind’ and `Trapped In The Closet.'(NAN)