Nigerian actor Patrick Doyle has complimented Afrobeat phenomenon David Adeleke, often known as Davido, for his ability to keep cool in the face of public criticism, claiming that the more the singer is attacked, the higher his global profile rises.
Doyle made the comments in a Facebook post on Sunday, comparing the artist’s approach to the late Obafemi Awolowo’s worldview.
Doyle added that Awolowo had recounted how, throughout the course of his life, adversity and criticism—often intended to discredit him—would finally turn into benefits.
He wrote, “I remember attending a birthday party for Segun Awolowo in his illustrious grandfather’s stately home in Ikene. In the hall adjacent to the mansion where the party took place was an inscription “Eebudola” under a drawing of the zodiac sign of Pisces.
“It was a few years later when I read in an interview that the sage granted what ‘Eebudola’ meant.
“He explained that he had noticed a pattern in his life’s trajectory about how that everything his peers and adversaries used to cast aspersion on him usually turned out to be a blessing for him in the end. The explanation resonated with me profoundly and reinforced my fanatical admiration for the great man.”
Going further, Doyle stated that this concept plays out in the life of Davido saying, “Bringing it to the present, I have noticed a young man who of late has been on the receiving end of aspersions from his peers.
“As for the unwarranted abuse from his peers, it appears that the more they attack him and he ignores them, the more his stature as a global star shines.”
He added that Davido is “perhaps the least arrogant of his peers even when he has the credentials to be the most arrogant given the aristocracy of his antecedents compared to his street brought up peers.”
“Truly, the Awolowo “Eebudola” concept is working in the life of young David Adeleke, the Eebudola of the entertainment industry,” he wrote.
Further describing Davido attitude to criticisms, Doyle added, “I have also noticed his attitude towards them and the relentless attacks. He has, for the most part, maintained a calm disposition and a reluctance to engage his adversaries.”
The actor further praised Davido approach to conflict, saying, “I find this to be commendable, and I imagine it is an inherited trait from his father who, though a business mogul, is possibly the most self effacing billionaire around.”
The actor however noted that while Davido appears to be “flashy and brash at first look,” his career “demands he be that way.”
“On a few occasions, when he has erred and been corrected by elders, he has humbly redirected his steps and never once retorted rudely to correction,” Doyle added.
“In short, he has displayed all the traits of a true “Omoluabi” in this regard.”
