Dare Babalola
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide and social commentator, has urged Nigerians to resist the urge to criticise and undermine artist Burna Boy, emphasising that the country’s cultural ambassadors deserve solidarity rather than destructive scrutiny.
Burna Boy is facing mounting backlash following a series of incidents during his No Sign Of Weakness tour in the United States. What began as a highly anticipated run of shows has been overshadowed by controversy, low turnout, and cancelled dates, putting the singer’s reputation under scrutiny.
In a post he made via Facebook on Saturday, Omokri highlighted Burna Boy’s repeated assertions that he wasn’t made by Nigerians but rose to global prominence through foreign support — a statement Omokri partly agrees with.
“The saddest part is, since we didn’t push him up, the least we can do is not pull him down,” Omokri lamented, expressing dismay at the ongoing anti-Burna trend among some Nigerians.
Though Omokri admits indifference toward Burna Boy’s music, admitting he can’t name a single song, he stressed nationality should transcend personal biases.
He stated, “He is a Nigerian, and he deserves my solidarity. Being Nigerian ought to count for something!”
Omokri criticised Nigerians’ tendency to “destroy what we did not build”, pointing to examples like the backlash against Rema for smoking and the late MohBad, who received love only posthumously.
He contrasted this with how South Africans rallied around Tyla when she faced cancelation in America for identifying as “coloured” — defending her identity as contextually valid.
“Isn’t that what we as Nigerians are meant to do for Burna Boy?” he queried, urging understanding instead of public dissection of the artist’s actions.
Highlighting economic pragmatism, Omokri noted Burna Boy’s global image as “the African Giant” has positively branded Nigeria, alongside other stars like Wizkid and Nollywood stars.
“It is in our own enlightened self-interest to protect these brands,” he argued, questioning if petty grievances justify risking Nigeria’s international reputation.
In closing, Omokri expressed confidence in Burna Boy’s resilience, “Since we did not make him, we cannot break him. The latest talent in the giant will act as his repellent against the intolerant.”
He called on Nigerians to nurture, not dismantle, their cultural icons.
