Burna Boy returns to home city for State honour

By Ubongabasi James 

GRAMMY award winner, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy yesterday made a triumphant entry into Port Harcourt, the capital  city of River State. It was his first visit to his city of birth since winning the award.  

The celebrated musician was received by a large crowd of fans and supporters at the airport.

Governor Nyesom Wike also hosted him at the Government House and said, “You’ve done us proud and we owe you a duty to show you love. Wherever you are, your people appreciate you.’’

Describing the homecoming reception for Burna Boy as a joyous moment for the state, Wike remarked:

“Rivers State government will provide a land at Old GRA for Burna Boy. Not only are we to provide that, we are going to give him money to build for himself. We are going to do that for him to let others be encouraged, 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.”

Continued a visibly excited Governor Wike, who recalled that the state had in the past produced the Most Beautiful Girl in the World in Agbani Darego, 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 inward; when we must come home. All of you, you go to Abuja, you go to Lagos, home is home. Who would have believed in this world that an Ahoada man will win Grammy. Who would have believed it? So, you should know that this is God’s own state.”

The governor commended all the other artists who performed at the ceremony, including the poplar Afrobeat artists, Timaya and Duncan Mighty.

Said Wike: “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,” he said at the end of the event.

Earlier in her welcome address, the coordinator of the event, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyinde, state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, had remarked:

“This victory on the world stage underscores the ability of raw talents in our state, it underlines our ability to focus on our goal. To our celebrant, I urge you to always remember that Rivers State is your own. Always find time to identify with the development here. Come home to join in the task of grooming young talents in the industry. Port Harcourt needs your music academy from where we can raise the Burna Boys of tomorrow.”

The governor urged Burna Boy not to relent in his musical endeavour, and conferred the state’s highest award on him.

“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.”

Governor Wike thereafter conferred on the native of Ahoada Local Government Area, “the second highest award in the Rivers — DSS-SR — Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State” award,” a gesture that elicited wild applause from the tumultuous crowd.

The DSS award-RS is the second highest distinction in Rivers State Order and  is conferred on individuals in recognition of their exceptional service/performance in any field of human endeavour.

In response, Burna Boy said he was humbled by the reception and honour done to him by the government ad people of Rivers State.

Accompanied by his parents, siblings and crew, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu said: “I have collected honours everywhere in the world, but it feels different when you get it from home. This is my most humblest moment and I thank each and everyone of you. I thank the best governor I have ever experienced. I don’t like politics and politicians but this my governor has shown me that there is hope for the youths and there is hope for us.

“This award is not only for me but for all of you and the future Burna Boys. I love you Port Harcourt, everywhere I go, I carry you with me.”

Mounting the stage after, Burna Boy dedicated the Grammy award to his fellow Port Harcourt youths, saying, the “award is for you, and you and you…” as he pointed in different directions of the gathering, ending with ad-libbing a short intro to one of his popular songs.

The 29-year old was also given a plot of land in Old GRA part of the city, and an undisclosed amount of money to build a house in the city of his birth.

The singer, accompanied by parents, Bose and Sam Ogulu, then thanked the governor for the honour and gifts bestowed upon him.

Burna Boy, sometimes called OluwaBurna by fans, took home the Best Global Album prize for his album, Twice as Tall, on March 14 at the 63rd Grammy Awards ceremony.