Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has revealed a warning he said he received from Nigerian singer Burna Boy about the risks of publicly fighting for Nigerians.
VeryDarkMan said Burna Boy cautioned him that the same people he was defending could eventually turn against him, making the work of activism emotionally exhausting.
According to the critic, the Grammy-winning singer spoke to him from his own experience of facing backlash despite his achievements and efforts to represent Nigeria internationally.
“These people, they will put a knife in your neck. Fighting for Nigerians is tiring,” VeryDarkMan quoted Burna Boy as saying.
VeryDarkMan said Burna Boy also prayed for him after observing the criticism and backlash he had been receiving.
He recalled the singer telling him that he had also faced hostility from Nigerians despite his efforts and accomplishments.
“Make Burna look me talk say, my guy, na pray I dey pray for you, make you know say them don show am pepper,” VeryDarkMan recounted.
The social media critic then referenced an incident involving Burna Boy at one of his shows in the United Kingdom, claiming that some Nigerians joined the criticism against the singer and supported calls for him to be cancelled.
VeryDarkMan said the experience demonstrated the warning Burna Boy had given him: that publicly advocating for Nigerians could come with intense criticism, even from the people being defended.
He added that Burna Boy’s experience had made the singer understand the pressure he is currently facing as he continues to speak publicly on issues affecting Nigerians.
VeryDarkMan has in recent years positioned himself as an outspoken social critic, frequently using social media to campaign on issues he considers to affect ordinary Nigerians.
