Internationally acclaimed Afrobeat star Davido made a powerful and emotional gesture during his recent concert in the United States, halting the celebrations to lead a solemn one-minute silence for his homeland, Nigeria.
A Solemn Pause Amidst Celebration
The event took place at the packed State Farm Arena in Atlanta on November 20. Amidst the birthday festivities for the singer, Davido took a moment to address the crowd, his tone shifting from celebratory to somber. He called for a moment of silence for Nigeria, a nation he described as beautiful but enduring significant hardship.
"Let us have a moment of silence for the beautiful country, the nation of Nigeria," Davido told the audience. "We have been through a lot as a nation, but we stand strong together." The entire hall reportedly fell into a respectful quiet before the musical performances resumed.
Heartfelt Pleas for a Nation in Crisis
Following the concert, the 33-year-old singer, whose real name is David Adeleke, shared a video of the poignant moment on his social media channels on Saturday. In his post, he expressed that despite the birthday love he received, his heart remained with Nigeria.
"But even as we celebrate, my heart is with home," he wrote. "Nigeria is going through too much… our people deserve peace. More life, more love, more change."
This public display was not an isolated act. It came on the heels of a detailed statement Davido released earlier in the week, where he reacted strongly to the worsening insecurity plaguing the country. He specifically condemned two tragic incidents:
- The abduction of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in the Danko Wasagu area of Kebbi State. In this attack, gunmen also killed the school's Vice Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku.
- The deadly attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and one was injured during a service that was being livestreamed.
A Call for Collective Action and Hope
In his statement, Davido's message was clear and urgent. "My heart goes out to the young girls kidnapped in Kebbi State and to their families. No family deserves this pain," he stated. He urged for a unified effort "towards a country where every child can grow up in safety and hope."
Regarding the church attack, he expressed deep sadness, insisting that "these acts of violence must never become our norm." He called on authorities and the public to do everything possible to secure the safe return of the abducted Kebbi students, urging anyone with information to come forward responsibly.
Davido ended his plea with a prayer: "May God watch over the girls until they return. May He comfort the grieving families in Kwara, bring peace to our nation, and put every sponsor of violence and disorder to shame." This series of actions underscores a growing trend of Nigerian celebrities using their global platforms to speak out on critical national issues.
