The shocking murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), by her friend and fellow student Ayodele Adeleye has caused a national outcry in Nigeria. As more grim details about the crime emerged, it became apparent that Christianah’s death was not an isolated incident, as Ayodele is alleged to have had other victims, including his biological sister and an ex-girlfriend. The story of Christianah’s tragic end has captured the attention of many, including Nigerian actor and comedian Woli Arole, whose advice to young women in the wake of the incident has stirred controversy.
Woli Arole’s Controversial Advice
On September 5, 2024, Arole took to Instagram to address young women, warning them against certain behaviors he associated with spiritual danger. In his post, he advised women to avoid “sleeping around,” having sugar daddies, dating men involved in fraudulent activities (commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’), and spending weekends away with their boyfriends. Arole emphasized the importance of prayer, studying the Bible, and dedicating one’s life to Christ, framing his message as a way to protect women from harm and the manipulations of the devil.
His message read in part:
“Ladies, don’t fornicate around, don’t carry Sugar Daddy, don’t follow one boyfriend away for a weekend, don’t date boys you know that are doing fraud!!! Be careful. Beware. Study your Bible, PRAY. Give your life to Christ. Your destiny is more than SX and MONEY.”
Social Media Backlash
Arole’s post, however, did not sit well with many Nigerians, especially women, who saw it as victim-blaming. Christianah’s murder had no connection to the behaviors Arole warned against, and many felt his focus on advising women failed to address the real issue: male violence against women.
Some netizens expressed their outrage, questioning why Arole chose to address women instead of focusing on the actions of men who perpetrate such heinous crimes. Critics highlighted that Christianah was murdered by someone she knew and trusted, not because of anything she did wrong.
One commenter, @triciazino, slammed Arole, saying:
“You are a very silly person for this message. The audacity!!!”
Another user, @fortunes_smiles, pointed out the hypocrisy of Arole’s message:
“One girl was killed in church after a night vigil… she was a devoted Christian if I can remember. Let’s hold the guys accountable as well. This barbaric nature MUST stop.”
Others like @Bee_eneobong and @_eyeofaneedle echoed similar sentiments, questioning why Arole’s advice was directed solely at women. They asked why men weren’t being held accountable or addressed in his post, given that Ayodele was the one who committed the crime.
The Gendered Nature of Victim-Blaming
The reactions to Arole’s post highlight a broader societal issue in which women are often advised to alter their behavior to avoid violence, while less attention is placed on addressing the actions of men who perpetrate violence. In this case, Arole’s message seemed out of touch with the specific context of Christianah’s murder, which involved her being killed by a trusted friend, rather than as a result of the risky behaviors he listed.
Netizens like @debs_unique tried to point out that while Arole might have intended his message to be protective, it ultimately missed the point.
“The point of this message is you really can’t prevent people from choosing to be evil, but you may have a chance at protecting yourself from it,” she noted.
However, others felt that even well-intentioned advice that disproportionately places the burden on women is harmful. @curvygirljournal wrote:
“You don’t have advice for the perpetrators? I’m disgusted.”
A Broader Call for Accountability
Christianah’s death is a tragic reminder of the violence women often face, even from people they trust. While Woli Arole’s message might have been aimed at helping women protect themselves, it missed an opportunity to address the root of the problem: the perpetrators of violence. Many Nigerians are calling for a more balanced conversation—one that focuses on educating men, holding them accountable for their actions, and creating safer spaces for women.
In light of this tragedy, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, and other public figures have also weighed in, focusing on the need for justice for Christianah and other victims of senseless violence.
Justice for Christianah
The hashtag #JusticeForChristianah has been trending across social media, as Nigerians demand swift justice for the slain student. Ayodele Adeleye’s arrest and confession have provided some relief, but many feel that the culture of silence and the tendency to place the burden of safety on women needs to change.
Woli Arole’s message, though intended as advice, underscores the need for public figures to be more sensitive in their messaging, especially in cases of gender-based violence. As Nigerians mourn Christianah Idowu, the call for justice rings louder, with demands for accountability and a safer society for all.
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Source : Lindaikeji, Legit