TheCable

Blackmail is one of the vilest crimes in the world and very few have the courage to call its bluff. It weakens the strongest of us and turns us into a sad dribble of fear and loath.

I have never been a victim of blackmail. Once had a near brush when a wounded partner threatened to disrupt my production if I didn’t cave in to her desires.

I begged and sent emissaries to placate her but that is even a joke compared to what Tiwa just faced.

An international figure, with a profile on the rise. A mother and a woman leader suddenly faced with the prospect of having all of her nakedness exposed to the world in the throes of sexual excitement.

Most will kneel. Most will empty the vaults of the Central Bank in a vain bid to cow or buy back a threatened dignity.

What did she do. She went on air and said those words- how can I be ashamed for something which is natural and which I did with someone I’m in a relationship with.

This was strength. I joined in the doubt. Some of us thought it was a ruse. A PR strategy to maintain relevance but something in me loved the courage if this was real.

She stood the idiot in the face and said,’ you know something eff off, I couldn’t careless’

She dammed the consequences. Pre – warned us and even went on stage to parody it by singing, ‘ofo oko nyen Shemileshe’.

I loved her all over again. She has been trending and her song, someone’s son is on every chart with people going on the gram to send skits

Who is the loser but the vile son of a diseased dead whore. Not my Tiwa She has shown strength. She hunkered down and braved the turbulence.

Yes I have seen the tape. Not sure if it is her, but if it is her – the image had a remarkable resemblance to her- what I saw was beautiful.

My jealousy aside. I saw a naturally beautiful African woman enjoying sex, giving herself to her lover with no inhibitions.

I didn’t see shame. I didn’t see humiliation but I saw pride and womanhood preserved in the way she has handled this.

So my dear Sister, well done for your bravery, well done for your courage. You have shown true grit and this will soon be over because the market is fickle.

Something else will take its place on the table of irrelevant gossip and you will grow stronger.

Don’t worry. You will be ok.