Burna Boy: Wike under fire for gifting musicians millions

There have been angry reactions on social media to the decision of River State Governor Nyesom Wike to gift artistes that performed at Burna Boy’s homecoming concert N10 million each.

TheCable reported that the ‘African Giant’ crooner had recently snagged his first-ever Grammy win for ‘Twice As Tall,’ his 2020 album.

At the concert held to honour him for the feat and his heroics in the global music landscape, Wike had said all artistes who performed would get N10 million each.

It is understood that Burna Boy was also included among those expected to get the cash gift.

The development, which comes at a time when teachers in the state are protesting unpaid salaries, has sparked outrage on the microblogging platform.

Several users have questioned the governor’s rationale for gifting the musicians millions when workers are being owed salaries.

One Michael, on Twitter, writing under @michael_mickyt, stated, “Wike no try in all honesty, how I wish he wasnt owing teachers money and paid this huge sum for burna boy ” Homecoming ”event then I doubt it will be an issue. How do governors sleep at night knowing they are yet to pay teachers salaries for months?”

Another critic, Otunba, tweeting under @ManLikeIcey, stated, “Burna boy will come on Twitter to drag politicians; he’ll call them looters and all but see the hypocrite hailing Wike after receiving N10M. Teachers are being owed 5 years salary in the same Rivers State o.”

“Few weeks ago, some teachers protested lack of salary in Port Harcourt; Wike that couldn’t answer them gave N10m to Burna & other artistes. When you see the way those artistes reacted to the N10m, it’s obvious that many are complaining about politicians because they’re not getting their own cut,” a user wrote.

“This impulsive and crass misappropriation of Rivers State funds by Wike. Donations like this made Peter Odili then earned the sobriquet, “Donatus”. As for Burna, ‘Monsters You Made’ was a product of your creative ingenuity, not of patriotism and that’s hypocritical,” another user wrote.

Some users, however, defended the governor’s gesture, arguing that there was nothing wrong with him celebrating excellence.