The Baby Daddy Syndrome! -By Tofarati Ige

Trends are quick to catch on in Nigeria. Once somebody does a thing and it’s successful or gets a favourable response, a lot of people tend to follow suit. It happens with business, religion, politics, even child bearing.

It also happened in the music industry. Sometime ago, the music business wasn’t as attractive as it is now. Then, it was seen to be a venture for the never-do-wells and academic castoffs. But then, “2face” happened, and the sun of the industry began to shine brighter.

That’s when a lot of other people began to have interest. Even people who were doing God-knows-what overseas returned home to catch a piece of the action.
And very soon, they dominated the industry (that’s a story for another day).The bandwagon effect. That is why lots of people are dropping out of school to pursue music. It’s the reason why graduates keep their certificates locked away and head to the studio.
However, there is another bandwagon effect catching on in Naija. It may be detestable to some people though.

It is the baby daddy culture that is fast taking seed among our musicians.
For the purpose of this article, we would define, Baby Daddy Syndrome (BDS) as ‘a culture of impregnating a woman without marrying her, yet carrying out other obligations.’

The first and the most legendary baby daddy is 2baba himself. That man is such an addicted baby daddy that he had to do it six times. Yes…you can close your mouth now. 2face Idibia actually put three different women in the family way six different times without being or getting married to any of them. Thankfully, he has finally gotten married to one of them now, but that is not our Area Of Concentration.

Following behind 2face is Peter of P-Square fame. This brother is a (proud?) father of two children, all delivered by one woman. When Peter first impregnated his older lover, Lola Omotayo, some of us thought it was a mistake. But then, some years after, another “mail” arrived and Peter was blessed with another baby boy in January 2013, through his Baby Mama (BM), whom he has thankfully made a honest woman of as she now bears Lola Omotayo-Okoye. *I’m so happy for her*

And just as if it was a competition, or status symbol, Peter’s twin brother, Paul, also made sure that when they are calling carriers of BDS, his name wouldn’t be missing. And he was successful, as just a few months after Peter got his second child, he was also blessed with a son, Andre, through his BM, Anita, who he has also done the honorable thing with by marrying her earlier in the year.

Now, that’s a good example set by the Okoye music dynasty, but fellas out there, you don’t necessarily have to put two buns in the oven before walking her down the aisle.
Another famous Baby Daddy (BD) is MayD. The former Square Records signee didn’t stay too long with the label, but he stayed long enough to imbibe the BD culture. He had a baby boy with his girlfriend, Debola, in January 2013.

Another important member of the BDS club is none other than the Akpako master himself, Terrible Gabriel aka Terry G. Many have often wondered how Terry G would perform as a father (a mischievous fellow even said his baby will be born high). However, it turns out he is a good one. The singer has been spotted shopping with his baby (whom he flaunts at every opportunity) and his baby mama. Terry has gushed that he would soon turn his woman to a Mrs., and we’re earnestly awaiting his Invitation Card (IV).

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete if we don’t mention the Kid who has a kid. Yes, it’s none other than the Pakurumo crooner, Starboy Wizkid. When he sang, “I love my baby” in 2011, we thought he was talking about his girlfriend, but now we know he was singing to his child. Even though the young millionaire and silky voiced singer had earlier denied the claims that he has a baby, he later ‘came to his senses’ and has been celebrating God’s gift to him ever since.

Others in the club include, but not limited to, Ice Prince, Joe El, Jesse Jagz etc
After all has been said, the kernel of this story is that though celebrities are not preachers or imams, they have huge moral responsibilities to the people. Whatever a musician does goes a long way in influencing millions of other individuals, most especially youths.
If our entertainers aren’t ready for wives and families, then they should stop making babies.