Nigerian politician and former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has called out music star Davido over his recent comments about Africa’s economy.
In a recent interview, Davido warned black Americans against relocating to Africa, stating that the continent’s economy was in shambles. The singer clarified that he was not badmouthing Africa but rather aimed to highlight certain aspects of the continent, excluding its struggling areas.
However, Reno Omokri disagreed with Davido’s assessment, particularly his claim that the Nigerian economy was in disarray. He pointed out the success of Wizkid’s album Morayo, which broke streaming records on Spotify Nigeria. Omokri questioned how such records could be set in an economy struggling to provide disposable income, emphasizing that music streaming, a service requiring disposable income, would be impossible in a truly struggling economy.
In his critique, Omokri also compared Nigeria to countries like Venezuela and Argentina, whose economies are in dire straits, suggesting that Nigeria’s economy is not in the same category.
Omokri’s comments extended beyond economic facts; he also urged Davido to follow the example set by American singer Rihanna. Unlike Davido, who spoke negatively about Nigeria, Rihanna has consistently used her platform to promote her home country, Barbados, positively. In 2018, Rihanna was named a national hero and cultural ambassador by Barbados, a recognition Omokri praised.
Reno Omokri expressed his disappointment, noting that Davido, with his influential platform, should have been more mindful of his statements, especially given his family’s political connections in Nigeria. He also criticized Davido for making such remarks to a foreign audience, stating that despite his American citizenship, the singer should be cautious about de-marketing Nigeria on the global stage.
Omokri speculated that Davido’s personal experiences in Osun State, governed by his uncle Senator Ademola Adeleke, may have shaped his views. He pointed out that Osun was one of the last states to raise its minimum wage to match the Federal Government’s standard, despite receiving significantly more federal funding under the Tinubu administration.
Omokri suggested that if Davido was referring to the local economy in Osun, he should clarify that, rather than making sweeping statements about Nigeria as a whole.
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