Singer Tiwa Savage's response to #BlackLivesMatter online backlash

#BlackLivesMatter is a movement which has received support and contributions from both black and white communities across the world, for standing against the extrajudicial killings of black people by the police and vigilantes.


The movement was founded by 3 black American sisters Alicia Garca,  Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, as a call to action for Black people after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was post-humously placed on trial for his own murder and the killer, George Zimmerman, was not held accountable for the crime he committed. It is centered on those who have been marginalized, with strong agitation against racism.


The latest #BlackLivesMatter movement started recently after Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, both Black Americans, were within a few days shot to death by white policemen in America.

In a bid to lend her voice to the movement, Nigerian singer and Mavin First Lady, Tiwa Savage, on Saturday, received a heavy backlash from her followers on Instagram.

For simply posting an image captioned 'I CAN’T KEEP CALM, I HAVE A BLACK SON', the singer came under the fire of internet trolls with highly inflammatory comments on her Instagram page.

Excerpts from some of the comments:

@enchantrezz: “Lwkmd…Tiwa u sef nawa 4 u.stop bein too fake,this was totally uncalled for!!everybody must not comment on the black lives matter.”

@make_me_laugh7: “@tiwasavage wt did u post, do or say when a Nigerian was shot in Italy???”

@abinuwayee: “Dear Ms @tiwasavage u’ve never for once raised ur voice for any senseless killings that happened right where u live. I wonder if a white police officer will come and shoot Jamil in nija. Abeg fight for where u belong @tiwasavage”

The music star who gave birth to her son in England was however quick to correct the impressions of her fans and followers by sharing another Instagram image, a collage of four pictures.  She was pictured at holding the famous #BBOG (Bring Back Our Girls) placard, one that America's first lady, Michelle Obama also carried in solidarity with Nigeria during a protest of the missing 218 Chibok girls.

The image caption reads:

“Let us not let the devil distract us by letting us fight amongst ourselves and lose focus on the many tragedies happening around the whole.”

“Yes you as an individual might not be able to fight for every cause but even the little you do will help.”

“I don't need to justify my support for #blacklivesmatter and it's sad that some people should even question my support because I'm sure these same people were happy when the rest of the world supported us with our #bringbackourgirls movement, but you don't want us to show support because it is not right on our doorstep.”

“This is exactly what the enemy wants and he "the devil" is a liar. We will keep supporting each other and not get distracted and just to clarify what happens at home means so much to me as a nigerian.”

“I didn't just hashtag I joined several walks in protest, used my voice as an artist and wrote "olorun mi" as a tribute to lives lost on the Dana crash and will continue to do many more as it is my duty as a Nigerian, a citizen of this world and a child of the Most High.”

Totally mature, if you ask me.