- Safiu Kehinde
The immediate past Group Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has sparked mixed reactions from netizens as he cautioned a lady who called him by his first name at a public event.
Elumelu’s encounter with the lady occurred during a question and answer session at the UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme on Thursday.
As captured in a viral video posted on X, the graduating student greeted the former UBA Chairman, addressing him as ‘Tony’.
Elumelu, who was held aback, confirmed from the lady what she called him before interrupting her.
He immediately reprimanded the graduating student, maintaining that he prefers been addressed as Mr. Elumelu or T.OE. or Chairman.
Elumelu added tgat he does not subscribe to the western culture.
“No, you won’t call me Tony. I’m not those ones.
“You will call me Mr. Elumelu or T.OE or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of Oyinbo life.” He said.
The exchange had since sparked mixed reacrions with some netizens slammig the lady over what they considered as disrespect to the former UBA boss while others defended her.
“If she meets President Tinubu, am sure she would say Good morning Tinubu.”@KhamisAbiodun
“I feel she was just trying to apply what they were taught, but never in that setting at all. The first level of intelligence is ability to read rooms, and understand environments which she, and any upcoming young persons should learn from this correction and behave intelligently.” @Bim_Homfan_MOG
“She is even a potential employee at UBA? This girl head no correct. Calling the chairman of your company by 1st name. Even western countries won’t accept this disrespect.”@yomidada
“She couldn’t even apologise after he corrected her. Bad manners 🤦♀️”@Ihunanya_chi
“The lady learnt her lesson, moving forward. All these GenZ doesn’t care. Much reason parent needs to teach children of nowadays respect.”@UsherRaymon02
“Discipline and respect never go out of style. Respect for leadership is part of our core African DNA. We no be Oyibo🤲🏽. Try dey respect your elders. Just yesterday, Mr, Dr, Governor Ademola Adeleke prostrating and lying flat on the floor to thank his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke with so much respect and now I’m seeing this from a 20+year old girl! What rubbish mehn!! Well, you have heard him. He ain’t subscribed to that kind of Oyibo life style well taught Sir, Mr. Elumelu🤍🇳🇬..”@Ikechukwuu16
“I’m so impressed that he was not offended and he still entertained her questions”@iamDoctorOK
“She didn’t even apologise. She’s not even bothered. Fiaaam, she rushed to the question. Parents are most often the enablers of this rubbish”@Chidiugoo
“See how he profiled her, what did you studied, Babcock?” @D3boujee