Nigerian musician, Damini Ogulu, famously known as Burna Boy was treated to a homecoming concert by the Rivers State government, Southern Nigeria for his Grammy Award feat.
Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album award for his “Twice As Tall” album and has been hailed and praised by many for the feat.
The musician’s father hails from Rivers State and the state deemed it fit to host him amid fanfare and pageantry.
Burna Boy, who has been vocal against Nigerian leaders gave back to his community in the state in an event tagged “The Reach”.
While Burna Boy’s action is creditable, his new affair with the state government has stolen the headlines. Nigerians have expressed divided opinions on the homecoming with many blaming Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor for not paying civil servants’ salaries and masterminding a huge level of unemployment in the state, yet gifting the musician and others money.
Wike over the weekend revealed that he will give N10m each to every musician who performed at Burna Boy’s homecoming and that attracted comments from Nigerians.
He also awarded Burna Boy the state’s second-highest honour – Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS).
A former contestant at popular Reality TV Show, Big Brother Naija, Tacha on her part advised that a “public holiday” be declared for Burna Boy’s Grammy award. The former BBN housemate also hails from Rivers State.
Some group of Nigerians have also criticised Burna Boy for not practising what he preaches as he’s been a strong voice against Nigerian leaders, with a section of the population saying he should have rejected the gift.
The debate on the gifts has been raging across social media platforms with several opinions aired on the big homecoming that has kept the state awake.