Looks like Olamide is in big trouble with the Federal Government of Nigeria over his new hit song titled ‘Wo!‘
In a number of tweets by the Federal Ministry of Health, it stated that the video violates a ban on promoting tobacco and second hand smoking.
‘The public is informed of the dangerous public health content and violation of [Nigeria’s] Tobacco Control Act 2015 in ‘Wo’ by Olamide,’ the Ministry said.
The public is informed of the dangerous public health content & violation of 🇳🇬 Tobacco Ctrl Act 2015 in “Wo” by @olamide_YBNL #ClearTheAir pic.twitter.com/oVlUI976yJ
— Health Ministry NGR (@Fmohnigeria) August 18, 2017
The 53-second mark of the video where a man is seen with a smoke in hand was referenced in the tweet.
LYRICS: Olamide – ‘Wo’
According to the Ministry, the risks from indulging in smoking include ‘cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.’
The content & video contains scenes that violates the ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion & Sponsorship provision of the act #ClearTheAir
— Health Ministry NGR (@Fmohnigeria) August 18, 2017
The video promoting a dangerous habit encourages second-hand smoking. The risks include cancers, respiratory & cardiovascular diseases
— Health Ministry NGR (@Fmohnigeria) August 18, 2017
Olamide, who released the video on August 16 and has seen it get 765,000 views so far, has yet to respond to the Health Ministry’s observation.
In the video, reference is made to tobacco twice in the lyrics, once after the first verse and another after the second verse.
What are your thoughts on this? Was Olamide promoting tobacco or is the Ministry overreacting?