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Comedian AY reveals why he will not reject national award
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Seun Kuti slams AY over reason for accepting national honor.
Seun Kuti, a well-known artist and the youngest child of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the father of Afrobeat, has criticized comedian Ayo Makun, often known as AY, for not turning down his national award.
Recalls, Through the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs on Sunday, former president Muhammadu Buhari announced the names of 337 Nigerians who will receive national honours on June 1st, 2023, including the comedian AY, singer Davido, actor Kunle Afolayan, Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, and other celebrities.
AY responded to those who questioned him for not refusing the honorary award from the Federal Government in a tweet on Monday in response to the announcement. claiming that the highest honour somebody could receive is a national award.
Explaining why he will not reject the award, AY said, “Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point. Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it. National honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation-building.
”So my allegiance is to a country where I have contributed my own quota, and I am more than happy to be rewarded by the same nation.”
Those of you shaming or asking me to reject 'A National Honour' are clearly missing a vital point. Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it. A national honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions…
— AY COMEDIAN (@AYCOMEDIAN) May 29, 2023
Seun Kuti called AY’s explanation superfluous in a post on his Instagram profile and story in response to the comedian. He teasingly told the comic to accept his “Buhari” award and end his justifications.
“Let me reiterate. No be public opinion poll them take dey choose national award na by presidential committee then the president will accept the nomination of certain people. In as much as it’s a national honour, it’s a presidential appointment. Biko, receive your BUHARI award and stop to dey Shalaye.
“This is what I hate about sellouts. Is it that you don’t have a chest, or you can’t do anything with the chest? Resist the URGE to SHALAYE (explain), Don’t try and dress HYPOCRISY as NATIONAL LOYALTY OR PATRIOTISM. With una 2 Homes and 2 Passports,” Seun Kuti said.
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