Nyeson Wike, the governor of Rivers, has conferred the state’s distinguished service star honour on Burna Boy following the Afrofusion singer’s Grammy win.
Burna Boy set a record at the 2021 Grammys after his ‘Twice As Tall’ became the first Afrobeats album to win the award.
Since the feat, political figures and fans alike have continued to pour in their congratulatory messages.
On Sunday, a homecoming concert was staged in Port Harcourt, with the state government receiving the singer.
Shortly after the homecoming, Wike announced that the honour of the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS), the second-highest distinction in the state, had been conferred on the Grammy winner.
In a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his media aide, Wike said that the star was bestowed on Burna Boy as with many other achievers known for “their exceptional service/performance in any field of human endeavor’’.
The governor added that the honour was “to show gratitude publicly to indigenes of Rivers State who have shown outstanding talent with their works and stand out head and shoulders above others in their endeavour.”
“Rivers state government will provide a land at Old GRA for Burna Boy. Not only are we to provide that, but we are also going to give him money to build for himself. We are going to do that. Let others be encouraged,” Wike said.
“…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.
“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.
“Who would have believed in this world that an Ahoada man will win a Grammy. Who would have believed it? So, you should know that this is God’s own state.’’
Mixed reactions had trailed the governor’s cash gift, with some Twitter users accusing him of being insensitive to the plights of teachers owed salaries in the state.
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