₦airaland Forum

Ambassador-designate to Mexico and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has responded to Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, after the singer insulted him following criticism of his advocacy for abducted schoolchildren at a FIFA World Cup concert.

In a statement posted on his social media page on Tuesday and addressed to Davido, Omokri expressed surprise at what he described as the “vulgar” language used against him, saying such conduct was unbecoming of an international celebrity.

“Thank you for your feedback. I was rather surprised by your response to my post, setting the record straight on Peter Obi’s false allegations against His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, regarding the repatriation of Nigerian prisoners from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Most shocking is your insult.

“You are an international celebrity whom Nigeria is proud of. Coming to insult me on my Instagram profile with such vulgar words should be beneath you,” Omokri wrote.

The controversy began after Davido performed at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert in Los Angeles wearing a custom jacket bearing the names of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State in May, alongside the message, “Bring Them Home.” Omokri had criticised the move, arguing that using a global platform to draw attention to terrorist activities could inadvertently aid the perpetrators.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ‘IF’ singer shared a video of Omokri during an interview on Instagram and captioned it, “UMU BINGO @renoomokri fowl.” Responding, Omokri said he understood that Davido’s intentions were noble but insisted that publicising kidnappings on a global stage could have unintended consequences.

“I am aware that you were upset at my appeal to you not to use an international platform, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to give publicity to bandits and terrorists,” he wrote.

“While your intention may be good and you think you are pressuring the government, the actual effect of what you did is to give publicity to the terrorists and help them spread fear, recruit new members, and raise funds.”

Omokri contrasted Davido’s actions with those of American streamer IShowSpeed, who attended the same event wearing a Nigerian jersey and speaking positively about the country.

Reno Omokri criticises Davido over advocacy for abducted Oyo schoolchildren
“How can you, a Nigerian citizen with a global platform, go on a global stage to give publicity to terrorists and de-market Nigeria, meanwhile, at that same event, and on that same day, IShowSpeed, an American citizen, used his celebrity and the global stage of the World Cup to market Nigeria?” he asked.

The former presidential aide also cited the October 7, 2023, abductions in Israel and the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, arguing that extensive publicity can complicate rescue efforts and embolden terrorist groups.

Quoting former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Omokri said, “Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism,” adding that this informed his criticism of Davido’s campaign.

He concluded by expressing hope that the singer would better understand his perspective, saying, “Thanks again, and may God bless you.”. Neither Davido nor his representatives had issued a further response as of the time of filing this report.

madridguy:
Both Davido and Reno are both right.

I see no reason Reno is trying to defend the FG. When the Chibok girls were kidnapped by Boko haram, Jonathan major blunder then was to attend PDP rally and he was busy dancing while our school children were in the hand of Boko Haram.
Everyone were so angry with GEJ then.

Tinubu and his wife, Chief Oluremi Tinubu did far worse than what Jonathan did then.

decasey:
Hypocrisy at its peak, when when Leah subiru was kidnapped Reno was everywhere, advocating for her release. So why are you having problem with the way davido is advocating for the release of the teachers and the children.

TimeManager:
Tinubu and his wife did far worse?, how?. The school kidnappings from Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna Kebbi, have they not all been released and returned to their parents under President Tinubu?. How many of kidnapped school children was GEJ and Buhari able to secure their release?.
As we speak, Tinubu has deployed full military rescue operations to Oyo state but to you, he is far worse?.
Are you aware that a LG in Niger state is bigger than the whole of Anambra state?. If you understood the complexities of the security situation in the country, you won't sit behind the keyboard typing this.
Giving a needles publicity to terrorists is absolutely senseless. About 12 Americans were shot by gunmen last weekend in Ohio during a community festival, how much publicity did their media give to it, how many of you are aware of it?.

-Kiss the truth!

TimeManager:
Tinubu and his wife did far worse?, how?. The school kidnappings from Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna Kebbi, have they not all been released and returned to their parents under President Tinubu?. How many of kidnapped school children was GEJ and Buhari able to secure their release?.
As we speak, Tinubu has deployed full military rescue operations to Oyo state but to you, he is far worse?.
Are you aware that a LG in Niger state is bigger than the whole of Anambra state?. If you understood the complexities of the security situation in the country, you won't sit behind the keyboard typing this.
Giving a needles publicity to terrorists is absolutely senseless. About 12 Americans were shot by gunmen last weekend in Ohio during a community festival, how much publicity did their media give to it, how many of you are aware of it?.

-Kiss the truth!

TimeManager:
Tinubu and his wife did far worse?, how?. The school kidnappings from Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna Kebbi, have they not all been released and returned to their parents under President Tinubu?. How many of kidnapped school children was GEJ and Buhari able to secure their release?.
As we speak, Tinubu has deployed full military rescue operations to Oyo state but to you, he is far worse?.
Are you aware that a LG in Niger state is bigger than the whole of Anambra state?. If you understood the complexities of the security situation in the country, you won't sit behind the keyboard typing this.
Giving a needles publicity to terrorists is absolutely senseless. About 12 Americans were shot by gunmen last weekend in Ohio during a community festival, how much publicity did their media give to it, how many of you are aware of it?.

-Kiss the truth!

madridguy:
Both Davido and Reno are both right.

I see no reason Reno is trying to defend the FG. When the Chibok girls were kidnapped by Boko haram, Jonathan major blunder then was to attend PDP rally and he was busy dancing while our school children were in the hand of Boko Haram.
Everyone were so angry with GEJ then.

Tinubu and his wife, Chief Oluremi Tinubu did far worse than what Jonathan did then.

Racoon:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/i-was-shocked-by-your-insult-reno-omokri-replies-davido/amp/

"Reno Omokri criticises Davido over advocacy for abducted Oyo schoolchildren."
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/reno-omokri-criticises-davido-over-advocacy-for-abducted-oyo-schoolchildren/

Racoon:
Previous Threads

"Reno Omokri criticises Davido over advocacy for abducted Oyo schoolchildren."
https://www.nairaland.com/8689229/omokri-faults-davido-says-publicity

"Davido Slams Reno Omokri Over Oyo Students Kidnap"
https://www.nairaland.com/8692140/umu-bingo-fowl-davido-slams

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/i-was-shocked-by-your-insult-reno-omokri-replies-davido/amp/