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It’s not about rice – Rema reveals how he plan to use his influence to give back to society in a meaningful way
Nigerian singer Rema shared his perspective on how he plans to use his influence to give back to society in a more meaningful and sustainable way—without relying on traditional methods like distributing bags of rice.
In a recent interview on *The Breakfast Club*, the “Hehehe” singer expressed his desire to go beyond the typical charity strategies seen in Nigerian politics, where rice handouts are common. He emphasized the importance of holding politicians accountable.
“With the influence we now have as artistes, we’re at the point where we can tell politicians, ‘Yo, you’re not doing your job!’ If I’m seated with the governor, I’ll whisper in his ear, ‘I don’t think you’re doing this right. Sorry, it’s coming from a 24-year-old,'” Rema said.
He revealed his commitment to advocating for better policies to improve the lives of Nigerians. “We can help convince them about policies, and with the little we can do, invest the money we make back home, giving kids a real sense of purpose,” he added.
Rema was critical of the common practice of giving out rice, pointing out that it fails to address long-term needs. “A lot of times I tell my manager, it’s not just about giving rice. What if some kid is allergic to rice? You leave, and they end up in the hospital. Giving food is a basic gesture, but what about tomorrow? What will they eat then?”
Instead, Rema advocated for more sustainable solutions that would have a lasting impact. “I would rather create platforms that consistently provide, educate, clothe, or shelter people. It might be 200 or 500 people, but even if it’s 1,000, it’s better to be consistent than to give 1 million people food today and leave them hungry tomorrow.”
He concluded by explaining that his approach to giving back would focus on creating systems and policies that offer continuous support, rather than temporary relief. “That’s my perspective—using platforms and policies to make a real difference,” Rema explained.