A presenter on TVC’s Your View, Nihmatallah Akashat Zibiri, popularly known as Nyma, has criticized Nigerian Afrobeat superstar David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, for his recent comments about Nigeria’s economy during a U.S. radio interview.
Nyma expressed her disapproval, stating that public figures like Davido should be cautious about the way they portray their home country.
Davido’s remarks were made during an appearance on The Big Homies House Podcast, where he advised African Americans, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora, against relocating to Nigeria.
The singer explained that the current economic situation in the country is dire, saying, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles.”
His comments came amid growing discussions among African Americans about leaving the United States following the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President.
Reports indicated that many Africans in the U.S. were concerned about policies that Trump might introduce, which they feared could be unfavourable to their communities.
However, Davido’s statement about Nigeria sparked outrage among some Nigerians, who called for the artist to retract his comments.
Critics argued that as a prominent figure, Davido has a responsibility to promote a positive image of the country rather than highlighting its shortcomings in a global forum.
Reacting to the controversy during Your View, a program co-hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Nyma condemned Davido’s remarks.
She argued that influential personalities should refrain from tarnishing their country’s image, regardless of its challenges.
“So, America is bad,” she said. “Do you see their artistes and actors mentioning it? You don’t throw where you’re from in the pit. We sit there, and we allow our places of influence to be where we advocate that it is bad. It can never be good; it gets worse. We condemn our own. So, Davido is a person of influence. He should be more guided in his utterances, especially about the country that has given him that fame.”
Nyma emphasized the importance of being an ambassador of positivity, particularly for public figures whose voices carry weight.
Her comments add to the ongoing debate about the role of celebrities in shaping the perception of their home countries on the global stage.
