The internet never forgets. And comedian Bright Okpocha, known by his stage name Basketmouth, has found out in a shocking way: his disengagement as one of the EU influencers and advocates for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence [SGBV].
The EU had named the comedian alongside Uti Nwachukwu, Kadaria Ahmed, Busola Dakolo, among others as ambassadors to speak on issues affecting women.
Unfortunately, the standup comedian had in 2014 shared a joke deemed reprehensible and promoting violence against women and Nigerians, led by Director of The Equality Hub, Pamela Adie, and the host of Plus TV Africa’s The Advocate, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, championed a call that revealed Basketmouth as an unsuitable candidate.
In the joke, Basketmouth had said that Nigerian women should be raped if they refuse to have sex on the second date.
After the call, the EU responded by removing Basketmouth and an elated Pamela Aide shared the news on Twitter.
Eiyah #BasketMouth blocked me because he’s being held accountable for his reprehensible jokes on rape and has been removed as an ambassador for the @EUinNigeria campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Words have consequences. #orangetheworld #herstoryourstoryng pic.twitter.com/px7L4OdQb0
— Pamela Adie (@biwomdz) November 29, 2019
