The Nigerian government of Rivers State has awarded Burna Boy with the Distinguished Service Star (DSSRS) award to honor him for winning the August Grammy Award. Burna Boy won the “Best Global Music Album” Grammy for Twice as Tall album. The honour was reportedly conferred in his hometown of Port Harcourt this past weekend. This follows Burna Boy’s astounding win at the 63rd Grammy Awards two weeks ago for his critically acclaimed album Twice As Tall. According to reports, the DSSRS is the state’s second-highest distinction award and is given in recognition of exceptional service or performance in any field of human endeavour. In accepting the award from the Governor of Rivers State Wike, Burna Boy said:
“I have collected honours everywhere in the world, but it feels different when you get it from home. This is my most humble moment and I thank each and every one of you. I thank the best Governor I have ever experienced. I don’t like politics and politicians but 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”
The milestone has since drawn congratulatory messages from colleagues and high-profile Nigerian politicians including President Muhammadu Buhari and World Trade Organisation director-general Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Congratulations to Burna Boy on being conferred the 2021 Grammy, the world’s most prestigious musical awards,” Buhari said. “He has made notable contributions in the field of music which have brought glory to Nigerians at home and abroad. We are proud of his path-breaking achievements.”
“We are exporting so much of our creative arts abroad and this seems to be encouraged,” Okonjo-Iweala said about Burna Boy’s win.
“This is a big win for my generation of Africans all over the world,” Burna Boy said about his Grammy during his acceptance speech. “This should be a lesson to every African out there: no matter where you are, no matter what you plan to do, you can achieve it no matter where you’re from, because you’re a king.”
Credits
NOBANTU SHABANGU OKAY AFRICA
Gabriel Myers Hansen MUSIC AFRICA
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