At a recent Pulse Nigeria event, tension surfaced as Facebook influencers, led by comedian and influencer Chief Kanu Aya, popularly known as MC Mbakara, expressed disappointment over being sidelined during the awards ceremony.
The influencer community, which has been pivotal on platforms like Facebook, felt slighted by the lack of recognition, especially in comparison to other categories.
During the event, the host, called upon various nominees and handed out multiple awards, with prominent focus on figures like Peller, a Gen Z influencer who received two accolades.
However, Facebook influencers, according to MC Mbakara, were initially ignored. Their category was allegedly omitted from the main event until Kara personally intervened.
In response, the award for “Facebook Influencer of the Year” was hurriedly announced toward the end of the show, with Mark Angel receiving the honor.
However, the lack of proper acknowledgment, such as showcasing nominees on the screen like other categories, left a sour note.
MC Mbakara, a comedian, Facebook influencer, and YouTuber, took to social media to voice his frustration, pointing out that their efforts on one of the world’s largest social platforms deserved better recognition.
He remarked, “It was very annoying to be at an event like that and not have our nominees displayed. You just called us at the end because I reacted.”
The comedian also noted the absence of many nominees from the event, attributing it to the perceived lack of value and recognition shown to influencers in attendance.
Despite the oversight, Mbakara acknowledged that those who did win awards deserved their recognition, but he called for better treatment of the Facebook influencer community moving forward.
“I’ve been at the top of Facebook charts for three to four years, putting in hard work. Facebook is one of the biggest apps in the world, and for us to be top-chart influencers, we deserve respect,” Mbakara added.
As the event ended on a mixed note for the Facebook influencers, the message was clear, future events must ensure more balanced recognition across all categories.
