What disparagers could learn from the celebrity blogger
It would be undeniably cynical to hold Linda Ikeji’s actions up to spite knowing that, in the end, she got it right. The popular blogger epitomizes the perfect role model for Nigeria’s teeming bloggers and social media entrepreneurs. Having paid her dues over a time span that saw her pushing through intimidating economic, social and political realities to carve her niche in a media industry severely pitted to thwart the chances of the itinerant blogger and citizen journalist to progress, it is understandable and only justifiable that Linda encounter success for her hard work. Today, Linda is a monumental success. And of the several feathers she added to her hat, her recent disclosure of her N600 million property acquisition in high brow Banana Island, Lagos, is a worthy testament to her successful exploits as a celebrity blogger and social media entrepreneur. While several of her colleagues in the traditional and virtual media spheres turn green with envy over her good fortune, it is instructive to note that Linda actually worked hard to attain her current status. That said, it is however, worthy of note that the celebrity blogger’s revelation of her expensive property in the country’s billionaire enclave exposes her to scrutiny by the Federal and State tax revenue boards. In the wake of her revelation, many of her colleagues comprising staunch rivals and traducers, have noted that Federal and State tax agents may swing into action and launch an inquiry into the celebrity blogger’s tax culture.
Perhaps the hullaballoo over Linda’s disclosure and tax culture is unwarranted; what if she had been doing the needful all along? Critics of the Linda Ikeji would do better by themselves by taking the humble path to seek tutelage about how to launch and sustain a popular blog instead of mustering destructive criticisms and subtle beef to denigrate the achievements of one of the country’s most celebrated young, successful, upwardly mobile, independent women.
