One of the richest persons on earth Bill Gates has indirectly resolved the Old Cat, New Cat debate initiated in the Nigerian music industry by superstar singer Davido.
It would be recalled that Davido during a contemporary interview stated that he and Wizkid are the music industry’s Old Cats which implies they were the two artistes to make it to the limelight before the current sensational acts.
The singer further noted that the likes of Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, Fireboy, and Mayorkun who are presently enjoying the limelight are to be referred to as the New Cats.
So, on his visit to Nigeria, Mr. Gates who arrived in Nigeria on Monday, June 19 had a conversation with young entrepreneurs about the power of science and innovation at Pan African Youth IF23 in Lagos on Thursday.
During the conversation, Bill commends the creativity of the Nigerian youth, especially in the tech and music industries. He informed the audience how when his daughter Phoebe heard he was coming to Nigeria taunted that he will get to meet Burna Boy and Rema, two of the current top Nigerian acts.
Bill Gates also recounted his encounter with Davido and Wizkid in 2018 during his last visit. According to him, he watched Davido and Wizkid perform at that time and he was quite impressed with that.
Mr. Gates’ statement indirectly concurs with Davido’s opinion about the Old and New Cats. It’s now apparent that Davido and Wizkid have been there years before Burna Boy, Rema, Mayorkun, and Fireboy began making waves.
Read Bill Gates’s statement below.
“Of course, being here in Nigeria, I can’t help but mention the amazing creativity that goes on here. You know Afrobeats from Nigeria are popular everywhere.
“When my daughter Phoebe heard I was coming to Nigeria, she said oh, you’re lucky you get to go see Burna Boy and Rema. So, I had to look them up, cuz I’m so hip.
“I remember last time I was here (2018), I did get to see Davido and Wizkid perform and I was quite impressed with that. So, my kids think I’ve come to a very hip place.
“And of course, the music may be the most visible, but broadly across all cultural areas whether it’s authors or movies, Nollywood there’s some great work going on and it’s a significant industry.
“So, that’s great particularly here in Lagos to have that leadership. So, across many areas creativity and entrepreneurship is why I’m optimistic that despite huge challenges, Nigerians will have a great future and bring wonderful things to the world”.
Here’s the video (Credit: Channels TV)
Meanwhile, below is Bill’s Twitter post confirming his visit to Nigeria. He, alongside billionaire friend Aliko Dangote, met with Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am very excited to be back in Nigeria. This is my first trip in five years and so much has changed. I can’t wait to meet with some of our great partners and learn from Nigeria’s most valuable resource: its youth”.
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