The glitz of the 17th Headies Awards took a sharp turn when media personality Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode, famously known as Do2dtun, fired back at singer and reality star Whitemoney over a comment many found unsettling.
While accepting his award, Whitemoney — real name Hazel Oyeze Onou — declared, “On behalf of the Igbos,” a statement that quickly rippled across social media. For Do2dtun, the moment wasn’t just inappropriate; it was a missed opportunity to champion unity over ethnic pride on one of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment stages.
Taking to his social media platforms, Do2dtun didn’t mince words. He acknowledged the beauty of celebrating one’s roots but stressed that such high-profile moments should emphasize collective progress, not sectional pride. “We must be mindful,” he wrote, warning that careless remarks, even if well-intentioned, could fuel division in an industry that should serve as a beacon of national unity. (Sources: NotjustOk, Pulse.ng, Naija News)
Whitemoney, for his part, is no stranger to championing Igbo culture. In 2022, he was honored with the traditional title “Ùgwù ńdi Igbo” (“Pride of the Igbos”) by the Igbo community in Lagos — a testament to his efforts in uplifting his heritage. He’s often spoken about using his platform to mentor youth and inspire pride in cultural identity. (Sources: Kemi Filani, Torizone)
However, the backlash from the Headies speech has ignited wider debates online: Can cultural pride coexist with national unity? And where should public figures draw the line?
As the conversations grow louder, one thing is clear — in a country as diverse as Nigeria, every word spoken on a major stage carries weight. And in the entertainment world, where stars influence millions, the call for unity has never been louder.
