Popular Nigerian cleric Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has offered words of encouragement to Afrobeats star Davido following his loss at the Grammy Awards.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking during a recent church service, the controversial preacher dismissed the significance of the Grammys, insisting that Davido’s impact and legacy in music go far beyond trophies.
In his trademark dramatic style, Odumeje described the singer himself as the ultimate honour.
“There is one of our brothers that I love so much. That is a very great musician, and that is Davido. You are already a generational award, awarded a lot of awards,” he said.
“There is no award that you will receive now that means anything. You have already been awarded any award you need. Your life is an award. Your step is an award.”
He urged the singer not to allow the loss dampen his spirit.
“Don’t allow ordinary somebody to come and begin to use it to quench the fire of your joy. So go out and get more inspiration to shock the world with another new music. Don’t go where you are not accepted,” he said.
Odumeje further questioned the value of the global award.
“…What is Grammy? Who knows Grammy? Grammy don’t make us to know you, Davido. We know you as a good singer. That is why we love you, not Grammy.”
He also cautioned the singer against negative influences.
“Be careful. You are already on top of the world. The world is the one that will come into you. Don’t allow people to demoralise you, demoralise your quality, and decentralise you, and make you weak,” he said.
Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category for his collaboration with Omah Lay on With You at the 68th Grammy Awards.
Other nominees included Burna Boy (Love), Wizkid & Ayra Starr (Gimme Dat), and Tyla (Push 2 Start), who won the category for the second consecutive year.
Odumeje remains a figure of public controversy, known for his unorthodox preaching style and bold claims of supernatural abilities. In 2024, he responded to critics by declaring himself “a liquid metal,” and last year, he also announced his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency.
