By Jemi Ekunkunbor

As West and Central Africa continue to suffer outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever, UNICEF in collaboration with 11 music and movie stars–Omawumi, Spyro, Qing Madi, and Sekouba Bambino from Guinea etc, came together to collaborate on a song “#NoMoreZeroDose,” a practical move to ensure that no child misses out on life-saving vaccines.

These goodwill ambassadors; Master Soumy( Mali), Mawndoe (Chad), Stanley Enow (Cameroun), last Thursday, joined their counterparts-Cobhams Asuquo, Kate Henshaw, Ali Nuhu, Timi Dakolo and Waje in Lagos, Nigeria for the formal launch of the song.
We asked them what it was like collaborating with UNICEF on this project and what impact they expect the song will have on the people. This was what they said.

Mawndoe Celestin

Mawndoe is an author, a composer and a multilingual musician from Chad. Since 2012, he has been involved in organising an impactful cultural festival – Neige au sahel.

“It was nice working on this project with UNICEF, it was particularly nice to see how UNICEF is using the arts and our voices to send key messages that can reach a mass audience.
It was a great experience working with the likes of Cobhams who is a great artiste, and through his creativity our voices were able to shine far.
I hope and expect that the message will go far and bring the change that is expected.
I want people to know that they are not alone; that, we are here for them, singing for them. I hope this will have a big impact on their lives, celebrating humanity, celebrating people, celebrating change. That is my expectation.”

Waje

Born Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, she is a singer, songwriter who has collaborated with stars like P-Square, Banky W and M.I.
Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria in 2016.

“First of all, I’d like to thank the whole UNICEF team for doing something like this. I believe that Pop culture will help to drive the message. You can dance to any song but at some point, the content of the song is very important.
You know that Nigerians are vibrant, we like music, unfortunately the statistics for very low immunization, we are topping the list that’s not a good thing but knowing that we can use a song like this to educate the people, calm all the nerves, change their minds in terms of culture and the things they feel they should be scared of when it comes to vaccination. Just doing that really, makes me feel very honoured. And then being in the midst of professionals, people who have done this over time, produced by Cobhams who I have worked with over time; even the energy, just meeting and collaborating with the same artists who have the same mindset as you, that too is a blessing.

Ali Nuhu

Ali Nuhu is a Nigerian actor, producer, director, script writer and the current managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation. He is one of the pathfinders of the Hausa film industry popularly known as Kannywood. He has appeared in over 400 movies both in Hausa and English.

“When I was told that I was going to be singing, it sounded wired to me, I was a bit nervous but thanks to my colleagues that were present and Cobhams who put me through before the process started. For the lyrics, he told me what I will sing in English and then, I translated to Hausa. Now, getting to hear from so many people that the production turned out fine, makes me feel like I’ve been a musician all my life.
My expectations is that this will resonate with the target audience because you have different languages, different regions that have been brought into the production.”

Stanley Enow

Stanley Ebai Enow also known as Bayangi Boy, is a Camerounian rapper, singer, song writer and philanthropist. The co-owner of the record label, Motherland Empire, Enow is best known for his 2013 single Hein Père.
He was the first Cameroonian to win in the Best New Act category at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards.

“It was super crazy and beautiful at the studio. It was like a master piece; having beautiful people–the likes of waje, Omawumi, Cobhams Asuquo who arranged it, Spyro, people like Mawndoe from Chad, Sekouba Bambino from Guinea, all of these beautiful brothers; we had Ali Nuhu coming down from the north. It’s really beautiful to see how Africa can come together for a really beautiful cause. No more fight against brothers. Unity is something we really have to focus on and I bless God for that.”

Master Soumy from Mali

Ismaila Doucoure popularly known as Master Soumy is a singer, rapper, author, and composer from Mali. He made his debut in 1996 and he is recognised as one of the leaders of hip hop at the time in his home country Mali.
“It was a great pleasure participating in this project for UNICEF to defend children against polio. It was a very good experience working with these great artistes especially Stanley, Mowndoe my friends. It was good to see Mowndoe it’s been 15 years. So, it was good to see be together in the studio singing with them and recording.
I will like this song to go round the world not just Africa, and for people to get to know this song and get the message.”

Cobhams Asuquo

Singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Cobhams Asuquo is one of Africa’s most talented and influential artiste, spreading messages of hope and love to millions with his thought-provoking lyrics. The “Ordinary People” crooner, is an award-winning, highly-sought-after producer who has worked with notable musical greats like Asa, Tuface Idibia, Omawumi, Bez and Timi Dakolo.

“The production was very dynamic with the artistes bringing their expressions, their hearts and sincerity to one song; that, for me, was just amazing. I like music that I can believe in and that is the only way I know how to make music. Every artiste that has worked on this project, brought themselves very genuinely.
My expectation for this is to do the work for which we set out to create it which is, to cause people to take action, eradicate zero dose, and send the message out that kids need to be protected and one of the ways we protect them and save their future is to make sure that they get vaccinated, securing them against preventable diseases. And this, is what the lyrics tell you.”

Kate Henshaw

Kate Henshaw is a Nigerian actress, singer, fitness enthusiast, rights activist and philanthropist. Her commitment to social causes have made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

“I was happy to be part of this project but I didn’t get to sing. By the time I got to the studio, they had already done the sound track. But it was a noble collaboration, it was a fun song that will resonate with everyone.
My expectation is that the advocacy will get to the people it needs to get to and we would have more “No Zero Dose.”
Immunization is very important for the health and well-being of children and parents need to understand that it’s a responsibility on their part to make sure that their children are given the opportunity to grow up healthy. We all had immunization when we were growing up; we called it inoculation. With the advent of the 21stcentury diseases, children need all the protection they can get, as well as, nutrition to help them grow into wholesome beautiful children.

Timi Dakolo

Timi Dakolo is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He emerged winner of the inaugural season of Idols West Africa in 2007.
He is best known for his hit song, Great Nation

“Music they say, is the language of the soul and it can travel far irrespective of language barriers. When I was called upon, I saw it as a privilege to be part of this project because it’s a good cause and we’ve been fighting this thing all our life.
Peeople’s dreams are cut short because of unawareness and not being able to have doses of immunization. So, I’m glad that I’m part of this beautiful gesture, and thank you to the people that put this project together, it was nice meeting all these people from different parts of Africa in Nigeria for this project.
The thing about music is that when it comes with a message, it is hard to forget. And this message on immunization has been done in different languages so that if you don’t speak French or English, there is something for you in this song for you to know that you need to take your child or the children around you for immunization.”