Kenny Saint Brown Exclusive: 'Why I'm going into politics'

By Adedayo Showemimo

Kennis music vice-president and multiple award winning gospel act Kenny Saint Best is going into politics in the 2015 general elections.

KSB is now a card carrying member of the APC and will be running for a spot in the Lagos state house of assembly. She recently spoke to NET on why she’s embracing politics at this stage and other  issues.

What influenced your decision to go into politics?

I reside in Onigbongbo local government area of Lagos state, and for over 6 years, I’ve been part of the local government in areas of development such as education, development of the public school and upgrading of public schools in Onigbongbo local government under the chairmanship of honourable Idowu Obasa. At the state level, I am the main act at the state children’s Christmas party, and I was very active during the 2007 elections that brought in Governor Fashola, so I’ve always been quite active in the background, but it was last year that I decided that I can do something about changing the face of youth development in Ikeja and Lagos as a whole. Apart from being a youth coach and youth pastor, which requires me to see to the development of the youth, I have a yearning and pull towards the street and seeing that every girl that comes out to hustle on the street at night can become a better citizen, and find out what they can do to improve their lives apart from prostitution.

What makes you feel politics is the way to go to make this kind of change?

Each time I [think about myself] going into politics, I feel somehow, because of the kind of image politics has in Nigeria. I see it more as a Public Service and I look at it more in the area of getting people developed. What I see in my local government, especially the Opebi axis where I reside, baffles me. Prostitution has gone up by almost 1000%, it never used to be this bad, back then you can count the number of girls you see on one hand, but now it seems like a trailer comes to offload them for the night from 7pm. It looks like the street is pulling them more and more, all because of money, and what they do depreciates humanity. I think there can be a change. Something can be introduced to these girls and let them know that there’s a gift inside of them that can improve their personality and [they can] make money by working hard without having to dehumanise themselves. So really it’s the area of human productivity that’s really pulling me into Public Service, and that’s why I need to get on a platform to get the job done. If that platform is called Politics, then maybe you can call me a politician (laughs).

Coming from your background as an entertainer, do you really think you have what it takes to make a change in politics?

I think what it takes is the passion for change in human beings. It’s like saying why is Pastor Tunde bakare in politics? Is it that he’s not getting enough money from the pulpit? It is the same call to build humanity. It’s about spreading the good news through government.  Yes, there is a youth ministry, but their attention seems to be more on sports development and we have seen how that has bettered the life of sports practitioners, especially in Football. It’s only in football that you have platforms for under 13, under 15, under 17, flying eagles and then super eagles. They don’t have such organised platforms for any other area of youth development. We don’t have it for models, fashion or even musicians and actors. The government can’t boast of any support or effort to grow these industries, so it’s the effort of these entertainers that has added to the GDP of Nigeria, [making] us have the highest GDP in Africa. Personally, I belong to Kennis music, and 16 years of my life have been dedicated to human development and that what we still do, but we do not have any structure despite the fact that we can see the potential. The money or loans they said they granted the industry, how many people can come out to say they benefited from it? So somebody needs to come into government to enlighten them and let them know the amount of tax they can generate if the industry is properly structured, that’s why I’m going into the Lagos state government to get this done. For crying out loud, Lagos is the hub of entertainment in Africa, we need to get it right. I’m not just going there so that government can make money from the people, but most importantly it’s about youth and human development, because all we see now is wastage and that’s why we had the kind of turn out we had during the recent customs recruitment exercise. See the number of lives lost, and nothing has been done to the thousands of unemployed youths that were present till now. The best way to curb crime is to create employment and empower the youth, otherwise we’ll continue to have people brainwash them into committing petty crimes for money.

What do you think the present government is not doing right, in terms of youth empowerment?

The major oversight and ignorance on the part of today’s government is the fact that they don’t seem to realise that the youths make up the highest number in the present population. Given this, all the government ministries and parastatals for youth have remained the same since the time of Gowon. There hasn’t been any new thing, and most times the youth ministry falls under sports or arts and culture. I don’t think the youth ministry has ever been on its own, such that it has the capacity of growing and meeting the demands of today’s youth. Back then, the youths weren’t as intelligent, exposed and talented as there are today. So my point is, the youth are neglected in this dispensation. The ministry of youth cannot meet the demands, the intelligence, expertise and potential of today’s youth.

So what’s the solution?

The solution is the reason why I want to go into politics, having been an entertainment practitioner for the past 16 years, I’m an expert in this industry. The government knows how to get professionals to handle other ministries but when it comes to youth and entertainment they don’t. I still say it everywhere that Nigeria’s GDP rose because of the huge contributions of the entertainment industry, meanwhile we don’t have an entertainment ministry or agency representing the industry as a whole. The industry is so big that it encompasses movies, music, modelling, fashion, make-up and more. And when they decide to have entertainment at government events, they only bring cultural dancers, as if that’s all about entertainment.  The bulk of unemployed Nigerian youths are actually educated, the energy is just lying fallow. This energy needs to be channeled into something positive and productive. At the moment the energy is in a neutral gear and can be pushed into either positive or negative gears. You can’t just talk about youth empowerment and gather youth together for seminars upon seminars without practical ways of making money. A lot of graduates now have to learn make-up artistry, make small chops, or learn video production to make ends meet, and all these things I’ve just mentioned don’t fall into any category in the structure of government.

What if I put it to you that you are going into politics to make money?

Am I broke? Am I poor? I’ve been blessed, because what most people are still praying for and still have on their list of prayer requests I’ve been given. So if it is money that’s driving me, it would kill me because I would see so much money and die. If it’s just money then I’m not going to be fulfilled.

How have people reacted since you made your intention to go into politics known?

People are excited, and they know what I and my family have done in the Nigerian entertainment industry. For instance Davido has won Best African act awards at 3 international awards this year and yet no governor or brand has said well done to him for making Nigeria proud, simply because it’s not sport. Imagine the hype and government support for Blessing Okagbare who won Gold at Glasgow. This is simply because we don’t have a structure to support entertainment. Now that I’ve decided to stick my neck out to bring Nigerian youth to the point of relevance, people are really giving me all the support. If the government cannot create a ministry for the entertainment industry, they can create an agency for it, just like LAWMA and co.

What’s your brother’s (Kenny Ogungbe) opinion on your decision to go into politics?

I have a wonderful family, because they know my person and integrity, they know how compassionate I am about people, and they know how many people that have passed through my hands to become superstars. They also know my will power, and that if I set my mind to do something, [they] just need to support and encourage it. They know that I’m a deep person and that I have thought it through and even gotten the go ahead from my pastor because they know close I am to my pastor.  Everyone knows my brother is [passionate about] youth development. So for me it’s not just the politics, it is the service behind it.

Are you leaving music to focus on politics?

I can’t leave music, music is me, and I am music.

So how will you combine both?

It’s already balanced, music is what I’ve been practising for over 16 years, and while I was doing it I added parenting to it, and nothing is more demanding than parenting. Along the line I added my own personal business to it, so politics is just another job that’s been added to all the things I do, and don’t forget I’m very involved in church activities too. So politics is not going to take music away from me, and going forward, there’s a new approach towards my music: I’m slowing down but I’m not going out. I’ll be doing softer music, not doing music [where] I will be invited to perform on stage.I have to make different music that will motivate and inspire people, it’ll be more enjoyable, laid back and soft. So there’s no way being in public office will affect that, after all when Donald Duke was governor he was still doing music.

Do you belong to any political party yet?

Yes, I’m a card carrying member of APC and also a delegate here in Onigbongbo local government.

Why APC?

Because APC stands for change. If you want a change would you rather not go to a party that has the track record of bringing about changes? I think it’s a symbiotic relationship, I want to make a change, they also stand for change, so I feel we can work together to bring about that change, and apart from all this we’ve also seen the change they’ve done in states they’ve ruled: Lagos, Osun and Ogun states are perfect examples. Even Ibadan has transformed, it’s been a story of mega and unbelievable change. The intensity of change in infrastructure, transportation and even eradicating bikes (okada) is impressive, so imagine if they channel that same level of intensity of change towards the youth in Lagos state.

How well do you know your opponents?

The beauty of this political season is that they want 35% female participation; it has never been like this before, so there’s room for women to come out. Of course I know a few of my opponents, but that’s not the issue, the issue is my passion to bring happiness to the Nigerian youth. I have passion for the Nigerian youth and this passion will not let me sleep if I don’t act on it.

Nigerians are used to politicians making promises and not doing anything…

(cuts in) I’m not a politician, I am a servant. I’ve been in public service for over 16 years as an entertainer, I am a household name already, I’m a youth pastor, and I’m always motivating the youth, so this is my life. I’m not a politician, I just want to serve, and if the platform that will give me the opportunity to serve is politics then I’m ready for it. If I don’t perform my duties, let the people stone me and say KSB you have failed the Nigerian youths.

How confident are you about getting elected come 2015?

The political structure for 2015 is female gender friendly and I’m very positive. All I need is the mandate to run.

How do you intend to fund your campaign?

I intend to raise funds, but really I don’t think it’s going to be expensive as it would be for a regular politician, I’m already a household name and face. I’m a believable candidate and my family has practiced entertainment all my life. We have grown and  are still growing.

Do you have godfathers?

God is my godfather.

No, I mean political godfather?

(smiles) I have leaders, I’m in APC and there’s a structure, so I won’t call them godfathers.

In what capacity are you looking to serve?

I’ll be going for the Lagos state house of assembly to be part of the policy makers, because it’s the policy making that influences the executive arm. If there’s no voice from the legislature nothing can be done.

What would be your campaign strategy?

The records are there. I’ve been the vice president of Kennis music for 16 years, and the records of the artistes we have developed, household names we have made are all there. These are undeniable records of how we’ve contributed to youth development and we are still doing it. Youth development is our core calling, and my relationship with the street is strong, so I’m a believable candidate with no track record of mismanagement or embezzlement .

What’s your take on the recent Chibok abductions?

It’s pathetic, and when you look at the spirit behind it that says you shouldn’t have education, yet you can carry guns, and then you wonder what really is the bone of contention. Initially we thought it was a religious war, now it’s not a religious war anymore, it just seems like sabotage, and it’s just absurd, because it [makes no] sense. I think it’s a blood thirsty and ignorant spirit that has entered into Nigeria and it can enter into anybody that is broke, so we need prayers.

Given the circumstances in which he’s found himself, do you think the president is doing enough security wise?

Honestly, I pity the man. I don’t envy him at all. The complicated ethnicity of Nigeria makes it difficult for his person to rule us. When Obasanjo was there, he was the president and the chief of armed forces, and he was a general, so he could call his boys and they would answer, but Jonathan, being a civilian and former university lecturer makes it difficult, so I think there’s sabotage, they are not surrendering to his rule and sovereignty. I’m sorry to say it, but it seems there’s not enough cooperation amongst the security chiefs for them to agree to work with him, and a house that is divided cannot stand.