This article, written by Osagie Alonge of http://thenet.ng is a response to Omotola’s memo to bloggers who tagged her daughter’s birthday pictures sexy and hot.
‘We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future’ – Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Last week, Omotola Jalade-Ekiende went on a rant on social media in response to entertainment bloggers who described her daughter Meraiah Ekeinde as ‘Hot and sexy’. The Nollywood actress and 2013 Time Magazine Icon barked at online media, chastising them for visiting her 14-year-old daughter’s Instagram page, culling her photos and spreading them all over the internet.
‘Thank you to everyone who wished Meraiah a happy birthday. However, going to a 14 year old’s ‘private’ online accts to post her pictures for public viewing is totally inappropriate. Her father and I are horrified as parents and guardian that a minor’s picture can be paraded online as ‘hot’ ,’sexy’ etc.’, she wrote on her official Facebook page.
It should be noted that as at the time Meraiah’s photos were posted by bloggers, her Instagram account was set on ‘public’. Dear Omotola, I’d like to say that the media has done nothing, absolutely nothing wrong and do not owe you an apology for publicising your daughter’s photos. You should be the last person pointing fingers as it clearly shows you’ve scored a D minus in raising this cute kid..
Meraiah Ekeinde is four years away from adolescence but by merely studying her Instagram page, you’d be amazed at the kind of photos a 14-year-old girl puts up – we are talking sexualised seflies, showing off her ‘curves’, pouts, using hashtags like #StaySexy and posting memes containing vulgar language like the word ‘FUCK’.
I’m sure Meraiah means no harm and she is in the early stage of youthful exuberance but dear Omotola, do you approve of an underage turning up her sexiness in the eye of the public? Why hasn’t she been cautioned to take down these sexually suggestive photos? Why is it that you have failed to understand that Meraiah, a minor, has no business trying to act like your fellow desperate Nollywood actresses on social media? Instead, you choose to be horrified by the media calling her ‘Hot and sexy’, accusing them of intruding on you poor little girl’s privacy. Madam, you’ve got it all wrong. Are those photos ‘Hot and sexy’? Oh my, yes they damn are! It’s a shame that up till now, these photos haven’t been deleted. It’s a shame that you’ve asked the media to behave like adults and draw the line when you’ve not acted in the same faith.
In February 2012, US rapper Nas’ 18-year-old daughter Destiny Jones posted a box of condoms on her Instagram page. The media and community attacked Nas and his baby mama Carmen Bryan for the post which was subsequently taken off. Nas didn’t come out defending his daughter or attacking the media, he rather blamed himself on his song ‘Daughters’.
Dear Omotola, you always profess the idea of changing the world, it’s time to start from your house; clean it up.
Osagie Alonge….I haven't seen Meriah's instagram profile but if that is true I guess you did well to offer this advice to "our" Omo"sexy". The press and as an offshoot the world gobbles up info and interpretes its the way they deem fit…if your daughter who is pre-adolescent dresses and acts sultrily, she will be tagged a sexton and there is nothing you can do about it…like the bloggers said, clean your house, train your kids, if possible: follow the biddings of our culture " E ma na awon omo yin" and you might yet record a change before its too late…Maverick Say's so.
Very well said. Omotola's post is highly ridiculous, what are we talking about? she calls herself omosexy, is she saying her children, particularly the female ones are not aware she bares that nickname? She already introduced the "sexy" thing to them directly or indirectly. You can't stop people from airing their views about a particular subject especially in an age where sex and controversy sells. Get your kids off the social media or caution them on the pictures they post.
Nice one……..
omotola try and clean ur house….this is ridiculous for a 14yrs old 2b displaying her curves and seducing pics on internet and here u are blaming d press,clean ur aus 1st,chastise ur children 1st.