The performance or sexcapade of Tega Offiong Dominic-Ajeboh and Boma Martins Akpore continue to generate commentaries. Though she has apologized and begged Nigerians for support, her actions before being evicted are difficult to sweep under the carpet especially with the conflicting remarks from all the people involved. Tega had earlier said that “…I have been emotionally broken for the past two days. It feels like a year. I am sorry to everyone who feels disappointed by my actions. I am sorry to my fans. I want to apologize openly to my husband. It’s been hard. I’m sorry.” Boma on his part said: “I and Tega saw that the house was boring, people were always sleeping, so we decided to give the viewers a show. We felt we could be a standard performer…I did not feel I should step back because she was married but now I see. It is late, I am human but my intention was not to take a married woman away from her husband.”
Lately, the narrative has changed. Tega seems to have developed a thick skin and is now telling the world a new tale. Last Sunday, she told Ebuka, the host of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) that her husband will understand her stint with a male housemate, Boma, because “he is a bad boy”. She also disclosed that she had a conversation with her husband before she entered the house where her husband asked her not to be in her shell. For those who have been watching Big Brother over the years, this present controversy is not a surprise. It seems being immoral is a strategy that pays in the Big Brother House. Housemates in the past have had sex in the bathroom and other places. Some have lied about being unmarried when they were actually married. Unfortunately, these acts have earned some of them more social media following and even endorsements without winning them the big prize. The winners have often been the least controversial like Efemoney or Laycon. Notwithstanding, new editions of the show and housemates try to outdo the last housemates’ immorality to cash in from whatever they think they can cash in on.
Charity they say begins at home. Societies are built on values that start from the home. Whenever we misbehave, we call our upbringing into question. We put our parents, family, state, tribe, and even race into the spotlight for the wrong reasons. When Tega, 29, a married mum-of-one was performing soft porn on national TV with the 34-year-old Boma, many Urhobos who bear the name Tega quickly inquired about her identity. As soon as they discovered she is from Cross Rivers, they quickly distanced themselves from her, saying Urhobo women do not behave like this. However true this statement is, is open to debate. But we should all know that every family, tribe, nation, and race has stereotypes that are sometimes negative. Our individual actions will either reinforce these stereotypes or diminish them. We are all ambassadors of our families, tribe, nation, and race, and we must think deeply before acting shallowly.
Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com