Written by: Victory Soroh

“You don’t have to kill somebody before you sin." - MOHBAD

These past weeks have been filled with mixed emotions in Nigeria’s entertainment industry and Nigeria as a whole following the demise of a multi-talented Nigerian artist, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known popularly as Mohbad. He was a young, promising, and gifted rapper, singer, and songwriter whose life was cut short due to alleged hate and bullying from his former record label, Marlians Records, people he previously worked with and for. It wasn't until after his passing that the young man's mistreatment was revealed.

Apparently, this hate and bullying affected him physically, mentally, and emotionally. He once tweeted that his peace, health, and career were threatened by the aforementioned label. He conveyed these messages through his songs; many didn’t understand; he cried out through his songs; many danced instead; he searched for help but found none. Now we know better, and now we understand the messages, but unfortunately, it's too late.

Mohbad is gone, but others like him are alive, still facing physical, mental, and emotional abuse from their friends, colleagues, managers, employers, leaders, and so on.

“You don’t have to hurt me before you win.” - MOHBAD

The idea that workplaces might be poisonous is not new. It is most often seen as a competition, more like the survival of the fittest. Stepping on others to thrive is the order of the day; backstabbing is served as breakfast; bullying as lunch; and robbing others of their glory is dinner. It was shocking to learn that most Nigerians were unaware that Mohbad was the writer and performer of the majority of popular songs they listened to, maybe as a result of the label's attempts to obscure his influence.

We can do anything just to be relevant, even if it means abusing one another physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. We see ourselves as the wisest because we were the first to pitch a stolen idea; we see ourselves as the smartest because we took advantage of other people's flaws to get where we are; we manipulate others to achieve what we want; and we think this is all just a game. We have lost our conscience, sold our soul to the devil, and intentionally and unintentionally corroded our empathy as a result of our selfishness. What's all that? To be exalted? riches? relevance? Oh my!

Unfortunately, this happens in the workplace. Managers oppress subordinates, leaders harass followers, and employers violate employees' human rights.

In case I didn’t make it clear, injustice is not when you kill someone; injustice in the workplace can manifest in various forms.

• Discrimination: This involves being treated unfairly based on factors such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, and others.
• Harassment: Harassment involves unwanted behaviour, comments, or actions that create a hostile or intimidating workplace, including sexual harassment, bullying, or discrimination.
• Unfair pay and compensation: when workers are not compensated fairly for their work, whether through wage disparities, unequal bonuses, or denied benefits.
• Retaliation: This occurs when workers face adverse actions, such as demotion or termination, for reporting workplace injustices, filing complaints, or participating in investigations.
• Unfair treatment: This includes favouritism, nepotism, or arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement of workplace policies.
• Lack of opportunities: When certain employees are systematically denied opportunities for career development, it can result in a lack of fairness and justice in the workplace.

I must also add that if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. It is the duty of leaders, employers, supervisors, and coworkers to establish and uphold an inclusive workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination. An unsafe or unhealthy workplace is one where people work in fear, oppression, and hostility. Don’t be the reason for someone else's sleepless nights, daydreaming, depression, or sadness.

We are humans first, before anything else, let’s not lose our human feelings whilst trying to win. Let us not create a world rife with hatred and division. Rather, be your brother’s keeper; stop the hate and bullying, whether by words or by actions. In order to create a world where love, peace, and togetherness prevail, let love lead.

Selah

Victory Soroh

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