After social media users questioned whether his children could also speak Igbo, singer Peter Okoye, better known as Mr. P from the now-defunct P-Square group, defended his children’s usage of French, saying that parents should have the freedom to choose how they raise their children.
The conversation started on Monday after the musician posted from Paris on X, expressing his delight for his kids’ fluency in French.
“Remaining in Paris!
Seeing how easily my children speak French makes me wonder if it’s time to get a crib in Paris.
“Just a thought,” he wrote.
After X user @sambuddybest asked, “Hope they can speak Igbo, too?” what seemed to be a simple musing on living overseas quickly turned into a discussion about language, culture, and identity.
In response, Mr. P questioned the usefulness of Nigerian languages.
And who can help with the Naija language? “Make me hear the word abeg,” he wrote.
Online opinions were immediately divided by his reaction. Some people praised the singer’s freedom to choose how his children are reared, while others contended that educating children indigenous languages contributes to the preservation of cultural history and identity.
The singer maintained that linguistic choices within a family were a matter of personal preference in the face of ongoing criticism.
“If you want to teach your own children every language in Nigeria when it’s your turn,” he wrote.
Later, Mr. P made a number of articles in which he dismissed the criticism and urged readers to concentrate on matters that were important to them.
“I just have three words for you: Mind Your Business, or MYB.
“Go find someone else to vent your annoyance on.” Not in this place.
“My family and I are doing well. The singer said, “Go find somewhere else to vent your frustration.”
He also wondered why others were interested in his kids’ languages.
“Again, what exactly do you stand to gain if my children speak Nigerian languages? How does that improve your life?
“MYB — Mind Your Business. Cry harder,” MR P said.
The singer further argued that speaking indigenous Nigerian languages had offered little practical benefit, adding that English remains Nigeria’s official language.
“Again and again… who has speaking a Nigerian language helped?
“The official language of Nigeria is English, yet this is what you’re worried about?
“Una never ready. The joke is on you.”
Additionally, Mr. P accused some of his detractors of being hypocritical, implying that many would move overseas and raise their kids somewhere other than Nigeria if given the chance.
In the meantime, a lot of the same people who are condemning me would leap at the chance to become foreign nationals or raise their own children elsewhere if given the option.
Given everything that is happening in Nigeria, your main worry is whether or not my kids can communicate in Nigerian.
“Let people raise their families the way they choose and concentrate on the real issues.” Ndi ala.
“With everything going on in Nigeria, your biggest concern is whether my children speak Nigerian languages,” he wrote in another post, reiterating the issue.
“Out of all the real issues facing the country, this is what keeps you awake?
“Una never ready for our country. Ndi nchu.”
