Ferdinand Ekechukwu
Nigerian music superstar, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, was a guest on CNN yesterday and he spoke about the generous donations he got from Nigerians prior to his 29th birthday which he celebrated with friends last Monday in Dubai.
He also spoke about the export of Afrobeats music to the world, saying that nothing was impossible to achieve.
Speaking to the host Zain Asher, Davido said he was just addressing his friends and the people he has featured in their songs when he made the announcement.
He disclosed to CNN that he initially had a bet with his friends that he was probably going to make about 60,000 dollars when he made the request from his colleagues and friends. In the video interview with CNN, the Afrobeats star clarified that he never asked people but his own friends to send him money.
He added that he didn’t expect as much money as he got. He said it was all a joke but people came through, including ordinary Nigerians who were sending what they could afford.
Davido said at a point, he was overwhelmed when huge sums of money kept pouring into his account.
He explained: “I never said donate money to me, I said if I have ever given you a hit song or featured in your song or if you are my friend, send me a million naira. It was almost like a joke. Then my friends started sending me money. Then after a while, I started seeing like crazy numbers on my account. I started noticing that regular people who are just like my fans have started sending me money too. It was just crazy.”
Recounting what led to the whole ordeal, Davido said he struck a bet with his friends that he would gather not more than 60,000 dollars by raising funds.
“602,000 dollars was donated. I was overwhelmed. I and my friends made a bet; I was thinking I will probably get at most, best case 50,000 to 60,000 dollars. I have done a lot of charity work, from day to day, helping people, making sure people are alright, from my friends to people I don’t even know”, he added. “It’s good to see the works that have been done over the years is appreciated.”
Recall that Davido was recently in the news for a kind gesture towards orphanages and foundations across the country when he received over 200 million naira donations from his colleagues, friends and fans after two days. Precisely Wednesday November 17, Davido had asked his friends and fans to donate N1 million each to him for his birthday. Though he later added that the aim was to raise N100 million to clear his Rolls Royce from the port, the singer received over N53 million in cash transfers in less than one hour.
After two days, about N201m was donated to his Wema Bank account. However, in a twist of event, the singer added his N50m to the N201m raised. He further inaugurated a committee that will disburse the total 250 million naira fund. Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Femi Otedola, was among those that participated in the cash donation to Davido. Others were His Royal Majesty, Oba Elegushi, Obi Cubana; Cubana Chief Priest; Fuji maestro, Pasuma; Larry Gaaga, Patoranking, Don Jazzy, Zlatan.
