The Lagos power list: 21 people in 21 million

The musicians, politicians and personalities shaping Nigeria’s megacity – 
--read the list and send 11 nominees
 
Mo Abudu, who abandoned a high-flying career in the corporate world to run a television studio. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP




Lagos, a megacity home to an estimated 21 million people, is Nigeria’s cultural and political powerhouse.
It’s home to Nollywood, the world’s third-largest film industry, it’s the center of the country’s music industry and it’s also where some of the world’s happiest citizens live.
The city is expanding rapidly and the residents are increasingly connected, with social media allowing the public to better hold their government to account.
But who are the individuals driving these changes? Is it possible to identify 21 people to watch as Lagos continues to grow – both in population and as an international powerhouse?
We’ve collaborated with Guardian Africa network partners YNaija, an internet newspaper for “an evolving generation”, and SaharaReporters.com, an online network of citizen journalists covering government corruption, in attempt to do just that.
Recognizing that a list of the most influential personalities in politics and entertainment can never be definitive we’ve started with just 11 – listed below. We want you, our readers, to nominate the extra 10 to take us up to 21 (in 21 million).

Politics 

As nominated by Sahara Reporters 

Japheth Omojuwa

Japheth Omojuwa, 31, is one of Nigeria’s most prolific online commentators with his Twitter page, @omojuwa, home to some of the sharpest observations about the country’s political decay.

JJ. Omojuwa Verified account ‏@Omojuwa

You can't get a 4-year mandate, do rubbish for 4 years, become desperate for one month and expect to be returned. Na home you dey go

• Retweets 3,686
• Likes 901
• 

6:21 AM - 24 Mar 2015

A fearless campaigner, he was one of the leading voices in the #BringBackOurGirls movement, demanding the rescue of the 276 school girls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok in 2013. He was also instrumental in the #OccupyNigeria movement which exposed endemic corruption in the government, and helped the #SaveMeka campaign raise millions of naira for Rhyhm FM’s DJ Meka Akerejola, who was in need a life-saving kidney transplant.

Ikhide Ikheloa

Ikhide Ikheloa, better known as Pa Ikhide, is a maverick in a social media environment that usually takes one side or the other in Nigerian politics. Few manage to escape his damning critiques – including the country’s often-overlooked intellectual elite.
The 57-year-old’s no-holds-barred approach has earned his Twitter account, @ikhide, a substantial following, many of whom are political officials awaiting his next tirade.

Pa Ikhide ‏@ikhide </

The #2016Budget fiasco has now become a roaring scandal. Do you believe Buhari should resign? Please vote and RT!

• Retweets 40
• Likes 7
• 

1:33 AM - 10 Feb 2016

 And he has had an impact. Ikhide once questioned a $1m entry in Nigeria’s budget for an obscure literary association – which was subsequently removed by Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Tunde ‘Egghead’ Odewale

“Egghead” Odewale, 37, is credited as one of the first people to actively push Nigerian government officials to engage with the public on social media.
Despite previously working in government himself, Odewale’s critique of the country’s institutions has earned him a dedicated following on Twitter, where he goes by @eggheader.
His intricate knowledge of politics and pithy Tweet-analysis mean he is routinely asked by the media to weigh in on the most controversial issues.

Ayo Obe

Ayo Obe, 60, is a pivotal figure in some of Nigeria’s most influential social, legal and human rights movements.
From pressuring the government to rescue the abducted Chibok girls; shining a spotlight on violence against women and fighting for democratic reform, her ability to mobilize and inform her social media followers and to connect local injustices to national movements make her a leader in the new media environment.

— Ayo Obe (@naijama) February 13, 2016

Monday: I don't have any shadow of doubt that #ChibokGirls will return. BH know they are a valuable bargaining chip pic.twitter.com/cL1vo5hXDM

Rudolf Okonkwo (Dr Damages)

Rudolf Okonkwo, otherwise know as Dr Damages, is a satirist and reporter on SaharaTV – an unapologetic jester goading the court of Nigerian leaders.

Dr. Njakiri Damages ‏@DrDamages

Dr. Damages' Motto: "Humor is a rubber sword- it allows you to make a point without drawing blood." Mary Hirsch.

• Retweets 14
• Likes 11
• 

1:29 AM - 11 Feb 2016

The 46-year-old’s Twitter account, @DrDamages, is an endless stream of political satire, encouraging Nigerians to laugh at the antics of the political class. But his humor cuts deeper, and encourages the growing activist community to demand change.

Entertainment

As nominated by YNaija

Mo Abudu

Mo Abudu, “the African Oprah”, abandoned a high flying career in the corporate world to run a television studio.
Abudu, 51, set up EbonyLife Television (ELTV) in 2013 to try to change the way the world sees Africa– and has since commissioned young film-makers to produce original content.

Mo Abudu ‏@MoAbudu

Thank you to all those that have gone to watch FIFTY. We are still in the cinema 2 months later. Please take your loved ones to go see FIFTY

10:24 AM - 4 Feb 2016

Lagos, Nigeria 

 

ELTV have also secured the franchise for developing an African version of Desperate Housewives, and released Fifty, a hit drama about the lives of middle-aged Nigerian women.

Kene Mkparu

Kene Mkparu, 49, is trying to revolutionize Nollywood’s film distribution. The industry may be worth $5bn (£3bn), but film-makers struggle to make a profit because of piracy.

The CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas, a franchise popular across the country, his staff sit in screenings with infrared glasses to identify anyone who might be trying to record a film, a practice he has previously said “breaks his heart”. Mkparu is currently working on a project that will take film distribution directly to the grassroots through a network of community cinemas.

Olamide Adedeji

In the past five years the 26-year-old rapper and label boss has seized the imagination of an entire nation with his catchy, locally-flavored anthems.

Raised in Bariga, a ghetto suburb of Lagos, Adedeji’s music represents his experiences and the yearnings and aspirations of the country’s considerable underprivileged population.In November 2015, Olamide became the first Nigerian rapper to put out five consecutive solo albums in as many years. His label, Yahoo Boy No Laptop, is home to Lil Kesh and Viktoh, two of Nigeria’s fastest rising young talents.

Bolanle Austen-Peters

Bolanle Austen-Peters, 42, is the founder of arts and culture hub Terra Kulture, which has established itself an important venue for arts and cultural diversity in Lagos. Since 2003, the space has hosted hundreds of plays, exhibitions and readings.

Austen-Peters produced the Broadway-esque musical Saro, “a story of love and Lagos”, in 2013 and followed up with the sold out Wakaa: The Musical in 2015. She is also the producer of the upcoming film 93 Days, an account of when the Ebola virus hit Nigeria in 2014, staring American actor Danny Glover.

Wizkid

Wizkid, real name Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is only 25 but he has amassed a cult following usually reserved for veteran stars. He hangs out with Chris Brown, and records with R Kelly. Alicia Keys even confessed on Instagram to enjoying his music.

Wizkid’s album, Ayo, received tepid reviews at home but was a hit abroad, making Rolling Stone’s list of 15 great albums you didn’t hear in 2014. The following year his afropop track Ojuelegba became a big hit and was remixed by Canadian rap king Drake and UK grime star Skepta.

Don Jazzy

Don Jazzy, real name Michael Collins Ajereh, is an award-winning music producer, singer-songwriter and record label owner who wields massive influence over the Lagos music scene. He formed Mo’hits Records in 2004 with the then little-known D’banj – who went on to become one of the biggest groups to come out of the continent.

— DON JAZZY (@DONJAZZY) February 6, 2016

Reminiscing... Working with greats like Jay & KanyeWest. NoBbeans. GOD has been good. #RareAsMyLove #TheGoodLife. pic.twitter.com/IK1NA7kmUm

Drop us your personal nominations for our candidates


Courtesy: Theguadian

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