A popular Human Right Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana has spoken about his reaction to the career choice of his son Folarin Falana, the popular rap artiste and comedian also known as ‘Falz the Bahd Guy’.

Mr Falana while speaking at a lecture on the topic “The Right to Education and the Challenge of Knowledge Production in Nigeria” at graduating Philosophy Class of 2017 at the Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan, revealed that his initial reaction and that of his wife to Falz’s decision to go into the entertainment industry despite being trained as a lawyer, was that of shock and disbelief.

The Senior Advocate stated that after sending Folarin to school, he was sponsored to study law abroad where he excelled. Upon his return to Nigeria, he practiced law for a couple of years and he was doing excellently as a lawyer in his father’s chamber. Falana however stated that he was taken aback when his son approached him that he wanted to quit the profession to pursue a career in music.

* Folarin Falana (Falz the Bahd Guy) son of Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN)

He explained “When my son approached me to tell me he wanted to quit law and pursue is passion, I asked him what his passion could be order than law. He said he wanted to go into music. I asked him if he had thought about it well and he told me he had. So I said okay. I told him to go and inform his mother about his decision but he asked me to do it; so I told my wife who is also a lawyer.

“My wife said it is not possible, we shouldn’t allow him. So I told her there was nothing we can do about it. What if he decided not to show up in the chambers again, will we sue him to court? Will we have him arrested? We have given him education; so no one can blame us any longer. And the boy went for his passion.”

Falana continued “He (Falz) granted interview one day and he put his name on the television as ‘Falz the Bahd Guy’. When he returned from the interview, his mother asked him why he called himself such name; why not mention his name as Folarin Falana so that the name will open doors for him. However, he replied that he didn’t want anyone’s name to open doors for him but that he wanted to open his own doors.”

“My son said he didn’t want people to ask him if he was Femi Falana’s son but he wanted the world to ask Femi Falana if he was Falz’s father. Recently, I met some young men at the airport and they ran to me asking ‘Are you Falz dad?’ and I replied by saying ‘I think so’,” he said.

 * Mr Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria during the graduation lecture at the Dominican University

Speaking about the relationship between education and talent, the Senior Advocate explained that it is important to give a child education, after which such child must be encouraged to pursue his or her dream. “Education is very relevant. Once you have sent your children to school, you must encourage them to be on their own because independence is very important,” he stressed.

Falana advised parents to ensure that they educate their children and endeavour not to leave wealth for them. He said “I have made it clear to all my kids and my wife and I have agreed that if we leave the world, whatever we leave behind is not for the children but for the society so that it can be used to promote human rights and education, and so that people can pray for you in your grave.”