Nigerians have taken to the microblogging platform, Twitter, to slam Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for stating that he would give N10m each to Burna Boy and other artistes who performed at the Burna Boy Homecoming Concert in Port Harcourt.
Recall that some teachers had stormed the Rivers house of assembly on Wednesday over their unpaid salaries.
In a statement on 11 February 2021, Enefaa Georgewill, an executive member of the Rivers Civil Society Organizations (RIVSCO) coalition group, said there will be major protests across the state if the governor refuses to pay the outstanding 5-year salaries of 250 affected teachers of Primary and secondary schools of the state-owned tertiary institutions.
RIVSCO had given Wike one month ultimatum to pay the salary arrears at the expiration of the ultimatum.
However, in a video gone viral at the weekend, the Governor said, “All of you that have come today, the Rivers people and the Niger -Delta people that have come to perform, I am proud of you. All of you will go home with N10m each. ”
Although it seemed like a kind gesture on his part, Nigerians were not having it as they took to social media to lambaste him uncontrollably.
A Twitter user, @MrLekanAdigun wrote,
“Just few days ago, some teachers in Rivers state protested against the government for not paying their salaries and allowances. But, generous Governor Wike thought it’s a good idea to publicly give N10m each to artistes who performed at Burna Boy’s show in Port Harcourt. It’s ok”.
A Twitter user, @Morris_Monye, who couldn’t fathom what Wike had just promised simply tweeted, “Very irresponsible from Wike.”
@QDpaper1 wrote;
Wailers are saying wike shouldn’t be criticized for giving N10m to burna boy despite owing teachers salary They said Buhari should be the 1 to b criticized,they claimed he negotiate with bandit without them having proof Burnaboy your PDP celebrity is happy wike gifted him N10m
Another Twitter user, @DanielRegha claimed that Wike had unpaid salaries and yet was promising to dash N10m to artiste.
“Wike is owing workers 5 yrs salaries but he’s promising to give each artiste who performed at Burna’s homecoming N10m each plus he’s gifting Burna land in Old GRA, Port Harcourt and money to build it cos Burna won ordinary Grammy; Misplaced priorities. Burna should reject the gift.”
Also, @iSlimfit said Wike’s N10m gift was very unnecessary.
“The impulse gifting by Governor Wike is so unnecessary for a state that has failed to pay gratuity & pension.”
@therealdaddymo1, obviously irritated wrote,
“When they say Nigerians deserve the leaders it gets, this is part of why they say that. Gov Wike is so confident and unashamed to be paying artistes from government funds and people are hailing him but turn round and also criticize corruption in the same breath?”
