Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has redeemed his vow of N10 million each to Burna Boy and other artistes that performed at the homecoming concert of the Afrofusion singer.
Despite the outrage that greeted the gesture, the state’s commissioner for culture and tourism, Tonye Oniyide, said Wike has redeemed his pledge to the artistes.
“The Rivers State Government has made good its promise to give Ten million naira to each of the performing artistes who participated in the Burna Boy Home Coming State Reception concert in Port Harcourt last Saturday. The payment has been carried out in strict adherence to the pronouncement of the Governor,” read the statement on Wednesday.
“The accounts of the beneficiaries have been credited as directed by the Governor, and as you know the Governor is a man of his word and he has redeemed his pledge.”
Aside from the monetary gift, Wike had bestowed the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) honour, the second-highest distinction in the state, on Burna Boy.
“Rivers state government will provide land at Old GRA for Burna Boy. Not only are we to provide that, but we are going to give him money to build for himself. We are going to do that. Let others be encouraged,” Wike had 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.”
It would be recalled that a Port Harcourt homecoming concert was earlier staged in honour of Burna Boy after the music star won award at the 2021 Grammys with his ‘Twice As Tall’ project.
At the homecoming party, Wike had announced N10 million cash gifts to Burna Boy and singers who performed at the event.
The governor’s gesture had however stirred backlashes on social media, with many users accusing him of splurging with taxpayers’ money but he has reportedly redeemed his pledge in-spite of the social media outrage.
