17 November 2010

The only MCee with an MSc shows his support for DFC

Hip-hop star Naeto C has become the latest big name to throw his weight behind the campaign to save Dundee Football Club.

The multi-million selling and multiple-award winning Nigerian rapper - real name Naetochukwu Chikwe - has spent the past year studying for a Masters in Energy Studies at the University of Dundee’s Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, and has been dubbed the most educated entertainer in Africa - the only Mcee with an MSc.

His time in Dundee came to an end today when he graduated at the city’s Caird Hall but, before doing so, he took time to don the colours of his newest 'home-town' club and sign a petition calling for the Scottish Football League to rethink the massive 25-point deduction they imposed on the club aspunishment for entering administration.

'I had such a positive time in Dundee that I am happy to join the fight for the club’s future,' he said. 'Speaking to the people of Dundee, it is obvious how much their team means to them and it would be a disaster if they were to go out of business.

'I'm really supportive of the campaign to get the club into the hands of fans and local businesses. This is a community club and it is right that they are owned by the community. For the fans to have raised such a large sum of money in a short space of time is amazing - it really shows how much they love the club.

'I'm a massive football fan and know that the game is global. Football fans everywhere have to back each other, regardless of whether they support different teams. This punishment isn’t dealing with the people who caused this situation, the only people who will suffer are the fans.'

As well as proudly sporting his brand-new Dundee shirt, Naeto also encouraged as many of his fans as possible to back Dundee by urging them to sign the petition through his Twitter page.

'Please help save my 'home' club. Sign the petition at www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savethedee. C'mon the Dee!!' he Tweeted to his followers yesterday.

Despite the obvious temptation to abandon academia in favour of hip-hop fame and fortune, the chart-topping 27-year-old decided to pursue his studies and settled into life in Dundee just like any other student, with tutors and classmates largely unaware that they had a superstar in their midst.

Leading something of a Jekyll-and-Hyde existence, he completed his dissertation whilst preparing to release a new album, flying all over the world for festivals and promotional events, and doing charity work to help some of the world’s poorest children.

Now, with his Masters in the bag, Naeto says his focus will shift back to music.

'I am delighted to have graduated and am really looking forward to receiving my degree next week,' he said. 'It's been a bit difficult balancing my music with my studies, but I got there.

'When I was studying in Dundee, my aim was to get my head down and hadn't intended to let anyone know about my music as I didn't want any distractions. Eventually I had to tell my tutors as I needed their help in balancing everything. I had been leading a kind of double life.

'I was working hard to get the grades, but it became difficult when I had an album coming out and had to fly to South Africa to do some filming. I suppose these weren't bad problems to have though!'

Hip-hop has become massively popular in Africa over the past decade, something Naeto attributes to the growth in urban culture in that time. He says that young people in cities connect to the themes and messages prevalent in hip-hop, and he works hard to represent the urban youth.

Naeto’s 2008 debut album U Know My 'P', sold more than three million copies in Nigeria alone and led to him being named Best New Artist at the MTV Africa awards in 2008.

Naeto says he says he is motivated by a desire to give something back to Nigeria, both in practical and inspirational ways. He is involved with a project entitled ‘School is Cool’ which sees him visit schools in Africa and speak to children about the value of education.

Dundee FC entered administration last month and a drive to save the club, which has so far raised more than £130,000 from grassroots supporters alone, was immediately launched.

The cause was not helped by the SFL’s decision to deduct 25 points from the club, and the club’s staff, fans, players, business community, and local politicians have all joined the campaign to have the punishment reduced on appeal to give Dundee a fighting chance of coming out of administration and building a sustainable future.

More than 10,000 people have signed the petition, whilst several thousand more have joined a Facebook page calling for justice for the Dee.

Dundee Chief Executive Harry MacLean thanked Naeto for signing up for the campaign and said he would always be welcome at the club.

'We're delighted that Naeto is behind our campaign to get the sanctions against Dundee Football Club removed,' he said. 'It shows that our message is getting out there to people who are perhaps not lifelong supporters, but who have spent some time in the city and can see what the club means to so many people.

'It also show that anyone with an interest in football can help. Naeto's backing will certainly give us extra exposure worldwide. All at Dundee Football Club wish Naeto well in his music career and we'd be delighted to see him back at Dens Park in the future.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277