Despite the wave of criticism, Teni Apata, the Nigerian singer, has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the national honour.
The singer was on Tuesday conferred with the member order of the Niger (MON) award at the National Honours Award ceremony.
Since the event, Teni has been at the receiving end of social media backlash.
While some critics argued that she should have accorded the president more respect by bowing her head, others claimed the musician “ignored” Buhari’s gesture to shake hands with her.
Abba Bichi, the son of the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), also described the singer’s “arrogant” attitude as “disturbing and disgusting”.
But in an Instagram post on Wednesday, the ‘Billionaire’ crooner expressed gratitude to God and the federal government for recognising her “consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development.”
Teni, who appeared unbothered by the criticism, also dedicated the award to her late father and young girls across the world, while imploring them “keep dreaming, nothing is impossible”.
“With honour and gratitude to God, it was indeed a joyous moment to receive a National Honor yesterday. I was conferred MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR @muhammadubuhari President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Awards Committee headed by Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the Emir of Lafia, after diligently going through over 5,000 submissions,” she wrote.
“Special thanks to God for this, the Federal Government, my loved ones and to you all for supporting me from day 1. This honor is for the entire family of Rt. Brigadier General Simeon Olaosebikan Apata (Ascend), My Father.
“I was granted this award for “consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community”.
“To all the young girls this one is for you. Let’s not forget to stop dreaming. Nothing is impossible.”
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