Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Saturday hosted the Grammy award-winning Afrobeat artiste, Burna Boy, whom he described as the pride of the state.
It would be recalled that the singer made history last Sunday during Grammys by winning their first-ever award, much to the anticipation of many Nigerians.
Read Also: Breaking: Burna Boy Wins Grammy Award For ‘Twice As Tall’ Album
Burna Boy broke record by becoming the first Nigerian-based artiste to independently win a Grammy and under the category “Best Global Music Album” for his 2020 album ‘Twice as Tall’.
The artiste, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, visited Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt in the company of his parents, Mr and Mrs Samuel Ogulu, and his management team.
Speaking during the homecoming ceremony, the governor said the state is proud of Burna Boy for the rare distinction of becoming a winner of the prestigious Grammy award.
He expressed;
There is no Rivers person that will say he or she is not happy with the kind of pride you’ve brought us.
I am very happy and I can tell you, whatever you think we can do to promote you, we will continue to do it.
According to him, when news broke that Burna Boy was the winner in the Best Global Music Album category with his album, the entire state was elated.
He said;
You’ve done us proud and we owe you a duty to show you love. Wherever you are, your people appreciate you.
The governor urged Burna Boy not to relent in his musical endeavour, adding that the state government would continually give him all the necessary support.
One of the highlight of the event was Burna Boy being gifted a land in Old GRA, Port Harcourt and N10m to build by Governor Wike.
Governor Wike also promised to give artistes who performed at Burna’s Homecoming Concert in Rivers State N10 million each.
During the closing moments of the event, Wike said;
Those of you who have come to play, whatever you have agreed with the ministry of culture and tourism is not my business.
All of you that have come today and the Niger Delta people that have come to play today to show the talent you have, I’m very proud of you. All of you will go home with N10million each.
In his remark, Burna Boy said he was deeply grateful and incredibly humbled by the reception and honour done to him by the Government of Rivers State.
He expressed;
I really appreciate being here. This is probably the biggest honour that will be bestowed on me since I was born.
It is one thing to win the Grammy and to be applauded everywhere else in the world and another thing to be loved in your own home and that to me is worth more than anything I can get.
So I appreciate you my governor for taking your time out to do this.
Watch some videos from the homecoming part below;
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
BurnaBoy currently at the Rivers State Government House, with the Governor of Rivers State.. Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike
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_#burnaboyhomecoming#burnaboygram#BurnaboyXPH #burnaboy #phtwittercommunity pic.twitter.com/lNnFbaB1uH— Port Harcourt Central (@phcitycentral) March 27, 2021
Governor Wike and Burna Boy have now arrived at the venue#BurnaBoyHomecomingpic.twitter.com/5qoI2wx2Qp
— Burna Boy Voice (@BurnaBoyVoice) March 27, 2021
Gov Wike bestowed on @Burnaboy the second highest honour in the state, gave him a plot of land in Old G.R.A and said he’d give him money to build the house as well. #BurnaHomeComing #Burnaboy #Eventkettle pic.twitter.com/7DVfZIFqyb
— Event Kettle (@event_kettle) March 28, 2021
