Lagos residents dey hail Wizkid‘s family for their generosity and kindness to their local community. Afrobeats superstar Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, may be the focus of media attention, but his family’s good deeds have long impacted the people of Somade Crescent, Surulere, Lagos, where Wizkid grew up.
Recently, a viral video show Wizkid’s father, Alhaji Munir Balogun, distributing money to people, and this no be new thing for those who know the Baloguns. Residents of Somade Crescent talk about how Wizkid and his parents always dey willing to help, even when they no have to. Oritsesan, one of the residents, say, “They were always willing to help, even when they didn’t have to.” She add, “Whenever we needed something on the street, we would reach out to them. Even if Wizkid wasn’t around, we could always talk to his parents. They never turned us away.”
Wizkid still dey visit the community occasionally, and last December, he come and give N10,000 to over 50 children under the age of 12. If a house had five children, that family receive N50,000. He no hand the money to anyone to distribute; he come himself with his sister and share it directly with the families. After finishing at Somade, they go to Small London to do the same.
For many residents, Wizkid be more than just a global music icon—he be someone they grow up with. Kehinde Adigun, a resident of Somade Crescent, reminisce about their childhood, recalling how they play together in the neighbourhood. “Wizkid grow up here. It’s been a while since he last visit, but whenever he does, he always play with the children at our mini football pitch. He give money to people and share palliatives with the elderly.”
Chief Munir Balogun also talk about the motivation behind their family’s generosity. He say, “We are a kind of family that does not like when people are suffering, especially when someone says he or she has not eaten since morning. I don’t like hearing that because that alone always moves me a lot so I will have to give such a person some money at least to eat.” He add that their generosity is part of their Muslim faith and family values.
