Femi Ashekun/
Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has used one of the world’s biggest entertainment platforms to draw attention to the plight of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, appearing at a FIFA World Cup countdown concert in a customised jacket bearing their names.
The singer’s emotional tribute came during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States, where he performed as one of the headline acts ahead of the start of the global football tournament.
FIFA had earlier announced Davido as one of the featured performers for the landmark event, alongside Major Lazer, as part of a series of concerts staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico to celebrate the countdown to the World Cup.
However, beyond the music, it was Davido’s choice of clothing that captured widespread attention.
The singer appeared on stage wearing a specially designed jacket emblazoned with the names of pupils and teachers abducted during a deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
On the back of the jacket was a stark message: “Bring Them Home.”
The gesture immediately resonated with many Nigerians on social media, where images and videos of the performance circulated widely.
For families of the victims, the message carried a significance far beyond fashion or entertainment. More than three weeks after the abduction, many relatives remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones and continue to appeal for their safe return.
The victims were kidnapped when armed attackers stormed schools in the Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire Local Government Area.
Reports indicated that dozens of pupils and teachers were taken away, while at least two persons, including a teacher, were killed during the attack, triggering outrage across the country.
Another victim, said to be a mathematics teacher, was later beheaded in captivity
Davido had previously expressed anguish over the incident, describing the continued suffering of the victims and their families as unacceptable.
He joined other Nigerian musicians, including Victony and Timaya, in calling for urgent action to secure the release of those still being held captive.
The abduction has also prompted repeated interventions by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who met with relatives of the victims and assured them that security agencies were working relentlessly to secure their release.
During a meeting with affected families, the governor described the kidnappers’ actions as cruel and inhumane, pledging that authorities would continue rescue efforts until all the abductees were safely reunited with their loved ones.
Davido’s tribute comes at a time when concerns over insecurity and school abductions remain high across parts of Nigeria.
By displaying the victims’ names before a global audience, the singer effectively transformed a World Cup celebration into a platform for advocacy, ensuring that the plight of the abducted children and their teachers reached millions beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Many social media users described the gesture as a powerful reminder that, amid the excitement surrounding the World Cup, some Nigerian families are still waiting for their children and loved ones to come home.
The FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert formed part of a first-of-its-kind multi-city celebration connecting audiences across the tournament’s three host nations through music, football and culture ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
See more photos:
Related posts:
2030 World Cup to Feature Matches in 6 Countries on 3 Continents
Franz Beckenbauer, who Won the World Cup as Player and Coach for Germany, Dies at 78
Davido Rolls with Crime Buster Kyari …See Arresting Photos
Shocking: What Kaduna Teachers Wrote, Scripts Go Viral
Olivet Baptist High School: Celebrating 80 Years of Transforming Education in the Heart of Oyo Kingdom
Protest Erupts in Ibadan as Kidnappers Threaten to Kill Oyo School Captives in New Video