Daniel Regha, who has a million followers on X and over 18,000 followers on Instagram, is sort of well-liked on-line for his controversial feedback. He tells FAITH AJAYI about his social media persona
When did you turn into energetic on social media?
I’ve at all times been an energetic consumer of social media, proper from the times of 2go. Nonetheless, my on-line presence was established on Fb again in 2018, earlier than becoming a member of Twitter (now often called X) in early 2020.
Why did you select X as your main social media for interactions?
I really feel that X is the quickest place to get real-time information. I didn’t initially select X. At first, it was Fb; however then, I wished to attempt different platforms as a result of information is typically headlined wrongly and infrequently misinterpreted, so I selected to affix Twitter, and since then, it has been my best choice, even earlier than I grew to become well-liked.
What are among the alternatives you’ve loved as a social media influencer?
Being an influencer has helped me to develop in some ways; mentally, spiritually and financially. I’m not a kind of influencers with a likeable persona, so I needed to toughen up mentally to take the backlash I typically obtain. Although it’s not that I actually care about folks’s unfavorable remarks. Once more, my relationship with God was taken extra severely, as God is the one one I flip to for cover towards unseen forces. Being an influencer additionally pays, so I become profitable selling manufacturers. One other profit is the connection that comes with it.
What are among the challenges that include being a social media persona?
I face a number of challenges, with the most important being the recognition that comes with it. Many individuals know me offline, and I’m not the sort who likes pointless consideration. That makes it very troublesome for me to step out, similar to going to the market, and even utilizing public transport like keke (tricycle). I need to have the ability to go about my regular actions with out feeling like I’m being watched.
How have you ever been in a position to overcome these challenges?
There’s nothing one can do actually. I merely don’t over give it some thought, and I attempt not to attract consideration to myself once I’m exterior. Regarding the hate on-line, I pay zero consideration to it, as a result of it’s not my downside. I couldn’t care much less.
What content material/remark would you say introduced you to the limelight?
Actually talking, I don’t know, as a result of I neither deliberate on turning into an influencer, nor did I put within the work to remain within the limelight. Social media is my actuality, so opposite to what many consider, I don’t make posts to rile folks up or get engagements, and that’s the reason I couldn’t care much less about their outrage and unfavorable remarks.
You’ve got been described as controversial. Have you ever at all times been that means, or it got here along with your social media actions?
Individuals say I’m controversial. That’s their opinion, and they’re entitled to it. Nonetheless, I select to disagree, as a result of what I do is just air my opinions like anybody else with out the intent to trigger a response. Typically, my feedback may contradict, however that’s effective as a result of I develop each day, unlearn and relearn. So, what I assumed is true at this time, may be mistaken after doing analysis or studying from others.
What vital help did you get whenever you began your social media journey?
After I first began getting seen on social media, I received vital help from buddies, particularly my next-door neighbours. I do not forget that again then, some folks would name me or ship messages, saying {that a} explicit weblog simply posted issues about me, and I’d be very shocked, as a result of that was not my cause for making posts on social media.
I recall that my landlord, his brother, and one in every of my neighbours have been very supportive. A few of my buddies have been additionally there to help me financially, once I was having financial institution points. Their recommendation additionally helped me loads.
Two different folks I owe numerous thanks embody the primary model that actually wished to work with me— VIP Vendor. I even gained his money giveaway at one time. He has been so supportive, even earlier than the celebrity and ambassadorial deal.
The second individual is my pal— Oga Warri. I can’t put into phrases how a lot I’m grateful for all he has accomplished for me.
Different folks I’ll at all times thank are the proprietor of Information Spherical The Clock, and the Govt Producer of ‘The Tegan Present’.
Because you grew to become well-known, what are a few of these stuff you preferred doing that you would be able to not do?
I nonetheless do all the pieces I did earlier than the recognition, from trekking to the market, to bargaining with shoemakers. I’m not simply influenced by anybody or something, and I gained’t be altering my way of life to suit any perspective.
Except for being an influencer, what different issues are you concerned in?
I’m a part-time chef, and I even have a culinary certificates. 2024 may be the yr for me to discover different profession paths. I’m excited to see what the yr will deliver. I’m very excited and prepared.
How do you cope with the unfavorable feedback that path your controversial posts?
Like I mentioned earlier, folks’s unfavorable remarks don’t get to me, as a result of that’s their private opinions. I even have opinions about others and I anticipate them to not take offense too. So, if I get offended and even bothered over folks’s opinions of me, that will make me a hypocrite.
I normally begin my days by watching animal documentaries, cartoons or humorous instructional content material that set my temper for the day. And, I do all the pieces to guard my inside peace. You can’t troll somebody who doesn’t care.
How do you cope with criticism typically?
Criticism is part of life. I anticipate it and be taught from it. I pay no consideration to unfavorable remarks or criticisms although, as a result of I do know many individuals say these issues out of spite.
How do you be sure to keep protected from individuals who might need ulterior motives in the direction of you?
That is without doubt one of the challenges that comes with recognition. One can’t inform who has ulterior motives or needs to hurt one. Nonetheless, one can look out for easy purple flags. I do the most effective I can to be very cautious, and I merely depart the remainder for God.
You additionally promote sure services in your web page, what are among the stuff you look out for earlier than accepting any job?
I can’t disclose that, as a result of manufacturers will attempt to play on my intelligence and use it to their benefit if I do.
Whenever you grew to become well-liked, how did your loved ones members react?
I didn’t actually give my household a selection, as a result of with their help or not, I’d nonetheless do what I need. Like I mentioned, what I do on-line is not only content material. If I tackle an issue, it’s both as a result of I’m affected, or it’s a urgent difficulty that must be mentioned. It isn’t like I deliberately make posts that put me in hurt’s means. My relations are involved, however they’re understanding, as a result of these are points we focus on nearly on a regular basis. On the finish of the day, it’s my life, however I recognize their love and concern.
It’s believed that being an influencer on Instagram is extra worthwhile than on X. What’s your opinion on this?
I can’t say whether or not being an influencer on Instagram is extra worthwhile than on some other platform. Nonetheless, I really feel it’s not in regards to the platform, however about how large one is an individual, weblog or model. I flip down gigs price thousands and thousands of naira from each large and start-up manufacturers nearly each month on Twitter. For me, it has by no means been in regards to the cash. As soon as one is large as an influencer, one will become profitable, whatever the platform.
What retains you motivated?
What retains me going is the considered the essence of life itself, and that retains me going by all that life throws at me.
What are some notable issues you’ve skilled which have impacted you?
I gained’t go into particulars, however the smallest issues, similar to nature, have had the most important affect on me
Some individuals are of the opinion that you just glorify poverty in your posts. What do it’s a must to say about that?
Individuals are free to assume or assume no matter they need. I owe them no explanations.
Have you ever ever considered being extra energetic on social media platforms apart from X?
I merely use X to specific my ideas. I will not be energetic on different social media platforms now, however I’m placing within the effort. I’ve to develop my presence on different social media platforms to deal with the difficulty of impersonation. Many individuals are already impersonating me, and utilizing my picture to rip-off (defraud) folks. That’s the most important cause I must be energetic; or, at the very least, attempt to be.
What different areas of curiosity do you’ve?
I like watching documentaries, particularly those about historical historical past. I additionally love travelling, having a superb debate with folks, and enjoying indoor video games. I’d have liked swimming, however I can’t swim.
How do you unwind?
It relies upon. Typically, I’d simply name buddies to gist, or hang around with my neighbours, recalling the great outdated days. Typically, I simply take a stroll down the road, and generally I board public transport and go down a number of streets to clear my thoughts and get recent air, which is type of therapeutic for me, particularly at night time. Typically, I argue with neighbours for enjoyable, and I discover that very energising.