Nigerians on Twitter have expressed their annoyance over the decision of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, to gift artistes that performed at Burna Boy’s homecoming concert N10 million each.
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.
Some users, however, defended the governor’s gesture, arguing that there was nothing wrong with him celebrating excellence.
“Few weeks ago, some teachers protested for 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 earn 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.
Here’s what others had to say:
Just few days ago, some teachers in Rivers state protested against the government for not paying their salaries and allowances. But, generous Governor Wike thought it's a good idea to publicly give N10m each to artistes who performed at Burna Boy's show in Port Harcourt. It's ok.
Advertisement— El Commandante (@MrLekanAdigun) March 28, 2021
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??
— Michael (@michael_mickyt) March 28, 2021
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Wailers are saying wike shouldn’t be criticized for giving N10m to burna boy despite owing teachers salary
They said Buhari should be the 1 to b criticized,they claimed he negotiate with bandit without them having proof
Burnaboy your PDP celebrity is happy wike gifted him N10m
Advertisement— QUDUS 1 (@QDpaper1) March 28, 2021
Lmao 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. pic.twitter.com/xgp7BHfIAI
— OTUNBA (@ManLikeIcey) March 28, 2021
When they say Buhari is not working. This is what they mean. They miss the government of share the money which is why @burnaboy could not politely ask Wike to use that money to pay the five-year unpaid salaries of teachers in demonstration schools in Rivers State https://t.co/nwei06hpex
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) March 28, 2021
Wike is owing workers 5 yrs salaries but he's promising to give each artiste who performed at Burna's homecoming N10m each plus he's gifting Burna land in Old GRA, Port Harcourt & money to build it cos Burna won ¤rdinary Grammy; Misplaced priorities. Burna sh¤uld reject the gift.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) March 28, 2021
Burna Boy and the rest of the artistes will collect N10M each from Wike and celebrate it here. Next day they will tweet about lack of infrastructure and focus on Lagos State. Have they ever ask Wike about End SARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry?
— ADEMOLA (@RajiDraj) March 28, 2021
Nyesom Wike Extravaganza. N10,000,000 each for the artistes who performed at Burna boy’s homecoming. There is poverty in the land, there are bedridden patients who need this benevolence more! A Public office holder should never be found acting this way! pic.twitter.com/4w90kN26wK
— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) March 28, 2021
Sure me die, there’s a bigger chance of 10m naira being audio than Wike giving 10m to all the Artistes that performed.
You guys want to act like you don’t know politicians again. If your memory is fleeting kindly remember the NFF and super eagles.— H🐙 (@Hoekage77) March 28, 2021
Wike gave the Grammy Award winner, Burna Boy & other artistes N10m. This is nothing but a misplaced priority. According to reports, the same rivers state is owing teachers 5 years salary. N10m naira can do wonders for petty business owners 😢 😭 😩 😩 😩
— Communicator (@DE_COMMUNICATOR) March 28, 2021
Based on the Wike and Burna conversation, I’ve deduced that Our major disdain for corruption is personal deprivation. Nigerians would be okay with corruption if they become beneficiaries and if given the opportunity many people will infact misallocate and misuse funds🤔🤔🤔🤔
— Shakara Princess (@ChiamakaBarbz) March 28, 2021
I have no issue with Wike gifting Burna money. Winning Grammy is no mean feat. My main grouse is the fact that he is gifting other artistes too(I'm sure they are more than 3)and maybe the way he said it. He said it so flippantly. It's either it's audio money or..e don spoil! pic.twitter.com/qin0o8D618
— iCONs are Record Breakers! (@LTemzzz) March 28, 2021
That 10million Wike is giving to each artist that will perform @ Burna's homecoming..where is it coming from?..whose account?.
— HADJI QUDDUz 🗿 (@AT_qudduz) March 28, 2021
Wike said “I don't care what you discussed with the ministry of culture and tourism” and people were there hailing him. People were hailing a thief and tomorrow we’ll wonder why we keep being governed by criminals. How can people who are oblivious to their caging ever be free?
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 28, 2021
Wike gave Burna money and land, promised all artists that would sing at the homecoming party 10m each…Burna began to sing his praise.
LoL! Activism stops @ the point we all begin to benefit from govt. I don't blame him though, we all might do worse.
— Zaddy 🔴 (@YemiDiji) March 28, 2021
Funny enough these same youths shouting and angry over the unnecessary gift of money and land given to Burna boy by Wike will still cheer if same was done for Tacha…
No one is innocent in this country
We are fucked up pic.twitter.com/ClO2lISNuP— Daddy G.O (@oboy_jay) March 28, 2021
If Burna boy is serious about the fight against the oppressor, he should reject that 10 million naira from wike
— OMOTAYO Of Lagos 🇳🇬 (@Tee_Classiquem1) March 28, 2021
BurnaBoy nd d rest of d artistes who performed 4 his "Homecoming party" will collect N10M each 4rm Wike while ur father, mother, uncle, brother, or sister who is a teacher in Rivers state is being owed 5 years salary by dsame Wike.
Buhari will leave office May292023. Eye go clear— Apro🙀 🇳🇬 (@apro_dawildcat) March 28, 2021
Burna Boy sang about monsters you made, referring to Nigerian politicians but same guy received N10M and a land from Governor Wike, Burna’s activism ehn, E don spoil 🤣
— OTUNBA (@ManLikeIcey) March 28, 2021
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