In the wake of the tragic killings in Benue State, public figures and celebrities have taken to social media to express their concern, raise awareness, and, in some cases, request support for victims. One such figure is Kiddwaya, a former Big Brother Naija housemate and son of billionaire businessman Terry Waya.
Kiddwaya recently announced via social media that his foundation was accepting donations, starting from as low as N500 to support those affected by the attacks in Benue. While his gesture was seen by many as commendable, it did not sit well with everyone, especially fellow reality TV star DeeOne, who took a more critical stance.
In a post shared on Instagram, DeeOne, known for his outspoken persona, questioned Kiddwaya’s intentions, painting the appeal for donations as inconsistent with his previous displays of wealth and opulence.
“Kiddwaya, when are you going to confess to Nigerians that you’re broke?” DeeOne quipped in a now-viral video. “You don look am say VDM make money from NGO, make you do your own too.”
He referenced several moments from Kiddwaya’s public life—his claim of once spending $30,000 on a single plate of jollof rice, and losing €70,000 during a trip to Ibiza without batting an eye. DeeOne suggested that asking Nigerians, many of whom are already battling economic hardship, to donate towards a cause that Kiddwaya could easily fund himself, was disingenuous at best.
While Kiddwaya has not publicly responded to the criticism, DeeOne’s comments have reignited conversations about celebrity philanthropy, authenticity, and accountability in Nigeria’s entertainment space. The core of the argument lies in whether wealthy public figures should take the lead in humanitarian efforts by matching words with personal action, rather than simply urging the public to give.
DeeOne also took a jab at Kiddwaya’s perceived attempt to emulate controversial social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), who has in recent times gained visibility—and financial backing—through advocacy and nonprofit work.
“Now e reach Benue people wey dey suffer, you dey beg the public for 500 naira to 500,000 naira. Are you seeing now that at the end of the day, this fake life, na una dey suffer am,” DeeOne stated.
His critique comes amid growing public skepticism towards celebrity-led charities, with many calling for greater transparency and a clearer distinction between genuine humanitarian efforts and performative activism.
As Nigerians continue to mourn the lives lost in Benue, the back-and-forth between these reality stars underscores a larger question: In times of national tragedy, should celebrities focus on direct action or public fundraising—and where does accountability begin?
