Comedian Ayo Makun popularly known as AY, has said his recent decision to postpone his Warri show was personal and should not be used to pressure other entertainers.

His comments come amid public reactions to the recent abduction of children and teachers in Oyo State.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Makun explained that the postponement stemmed from personal reflection, empathy, and responsibility, and was not influenced by external pressure.

Makun also faulted what he described as selective outrage directed at entertainers during national tragedies.

He noted that musicians, filmmakers, and comedians are often labelled insensitive for releasing songs, promoting movies, or advertising shows, while markets, banks, fuel stations, businesses, airlines, and government offices continue to operate.

He argued that empathy, advocacy, and drawing attention to national issues are collective responsibilities, not the duty of celebrities alone.

Meaningful change, he said, requires collective action rather than targeting one group of Nigerians to prove compassion by shutting down their livelihoods.

Makun also highlighted the risks public figures face when pushed to lead every protest or political battle.

He said they become vulnerable to attacks, intimidation, victimisation, blacklisting, and other consequences that many online supporters do not share.

After such incidents, he noted, the individuals are often left to deal with the repercussions alone.

While stating that silence is not the answer, he called for advocacy that is responsible, collective, and sustained.

He said entertainers, the media, citizens, civil society, and leadership all have roles to play, urging the public to stop measuring compassion by whether someone posts a flyer, releases a song, promotes a movie, or organizes a show.

Makun wrote: “I recently postponed my show in Warri. That decision was mine. It came from a place of personal reflection, empathy and responsibility. Nobody pressured me into it, and nobody deserves credit for it. I simply did what I felt was right at this moment.

“However, my personal decision should not become a measuring stick used to judge or bully others. Every time our nation experiences a tragedy, entertainers are expected to suspend their lives and careers to prove they care. If a musician releases a song, they are called insensitive. If a filmmaker promotes a movie, they are called insensitive. If a comedian advertises a show, they are called insensitive.

“Yet the rest of society continues to function. Markets remain open. Banks remain open. Fuel stations remain open. Businesses continue to trade. Airlines continue to fly. Government offices continue to operate. Life goes on.

“So why is it only one group of Nigerians that must constantly prove their compassion by shutting down their livelihoods? Empathy matters. Speaking up matters. Using our platforms to draw attention to national issues matters. But these responsibilities belong to all of us, not just celebrities. Meaningful change comes from collective action, not selective outrage.There is also another reality many people overlook.

“When public figures are constantly pushed to become the face of every protest, every confrontation and every political battle, they often become targets. They become vulnerable to attacks, intimidation, victimisation, blacklisting and consequences that many of the people encouraging them from behind their phones will never share. When the dust settles, those individuals are often left alone to deal with the repercussions. This does not mean we should be silent.

“It simply means that advocacy must be responsible, collective and sustained. No one person can carry the burden of an entire nation. The entertainer has a role. The media has a role. The citizen has a role. Civil society has a role. Leadership has a role.

“Let us stop measuring compassion by whether someone posted a flyer, released a song, promoted a movie or organised a show”.