ONYEDI GABRIEL, PORT HARCOURT
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, shocked local and international artistes who performed at a grand reception he organised for the Grammy award winner, Damini Ugulu, aka, Burna Boy, on Saturday night, following his gift of N10milion to each of them.
The excited Wike also decorated the afrobeat superstar with the second highest state award known as the Distinguish Service Star of River State (DSSRS), which is the same honour bestowed on the Deputy Governor.
Wike’s wife, who hails from the same Ahoada West with the musician, presented the award certificate to Burna Boy while the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, gave him the award medal in the presence of top artistes such as Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Omah Lay, Mosey B, among others.
The DSSRS is the second highest distinction in Rivers State Order and is conferred on individuals in recognition of their exceptional service/performance in any field of human endeavour.
The event, which held in Port Harcourt, attracted crowd of youths and elders, who struggled to catch a glimpse of the musician, that took the name of Rivers to the musical global map.
The governor, who described the homecoming reception for Burna Boy, who hails from Ahoada West Local Government Area of the State, as a joyous moment for the state, also announced that the government would allocate to him land in Old Government Residential Area of Port Harcourt and give him money to build a house there.
He said, “Rivers State Government will provide a land at Old GRA for Burna Boy. Not only are we to provide that, we are going to give him money to build for himself.
“We are going to do that for him; let others be encouraged, that if you get to this level, Rivers State Government will promote you. We are happy with you (Burna Boy), we are happy with your parents for what they have done.”
Wike captured his mood, when he said, “Today is one of the happiest days in my life. I think I am pleased that during my time as governor, Rivers State produced a Grammy award winner as far as music is concerned in the entire world”.
The governor recalled that the state once produced the Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Agbani Derego, insisting that Rivers was blessed with talents.
He said: “I will do what is required as a governor to encourage him (Burna Boy) and his parents and to encourage all our artists to know that the time has come when we must look inwards; when we must come home.
“All of you, you go to Abuja, you go to Lagos, home is home. Who would have believed in this world that an Ahoada man will win Grammy. Who would have believed it? So, you should know that this is God’s own state.”
Wike said most people simply attended the event to relax, sing and dance with artistes without paying attention to the lyrics of their music.
Alluding to Bukwild Da Ikwerrian, “Teach me how to fish” song, Wike asked, “How many of you would want us not to give you the fish but teach you how to fish?”