Basketmouth Tenders Apology Over Insensitive Rape Joke

Basketmouth Tenders Apology Over Insensitive Rape Joke

Ace Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth some days ago faced backlash after he was unveiled along some other Nigerian celebrities as an advocate for the European Union in Nigeria’s campaign against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

Many social media users reacted negatively to Basketmouth being one of those chosen to be an advocate for the EU’s cause on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

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Basketmouth Tenders Apology Over Insensitive Rape Joke
BY AKINWALE AKINYOADE
03 DECEMBER 2019 | 7:50 AM
Ace Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth some days ago faced backlash after he was unveiled along some other Nigerian celebrities as an advocate for the European Union in Nigeria’s campaign against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

Many social media users reacted negatively to Basketmouth being one of those chosen to be an advocate for the EU’s cause on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

According to many, the comedian is a rape apologist who has in times past made jokes about rape and therefore not fit to represent women and the issues they face.

SGBV Campaign
Advocates for the SGBV Campaign

Back in 2014, the comedian made a joke about Nigerian women deserving to be raped if they refuse to have sex by the second date. Following the backlash that came with this, he later apologised for the insensitive joke. Fast track to 2019, Basketmouth made an appearance on The Dangerous World of Comedy by Larry Charles and when asked about the rape joke he made on social media, he revealed that people like such jokes and it helps to sell show tickets.

Following the outrage that trailed Basketmouth as an ambassador for the cause against sexual and gender based violence, he was removed from the list.

In a followup to this, the award-winning laugh maestro has now released a statement. Taking to his Instagram page, he shared a photo collage of a number of women, including his daughter, his wife, Busola Dakolo, and more. He accompanied the image with the caption:

According to many, the comedian is a rape apologist who has in times past made jokes about rape and therefore not fit to represent women and the issues they face.

David Adams

Article URL : https://guardian.ng/life/basketmouth-speaks-after-removal-as-advocate-for-the-european-union-in-nigerias-campaign-against-sexual-and-gender-based-violence/