- By Halimah Olamide
The captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa has addressed the public over their reactions to a viral video where he was seen refusing to shake the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf.
The trending video making rounds on social media showed Musa shaking hands with the Deputy Governor of the state but declining to shake hands with the Governor.
This act has therefore made many Nigerians tag him as “disrespectful”.
In a statement released by him, he stated that it is indeed heartbreaking to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion.
He stated his reason for declining to shake hands with Governor as being deep rooted in tradition.
“In our Northern culture, the gesture of kneeling, shaking hands etc signifies the highest form of respect. This was my intention when I greeted the Deputy Governor in such a manner.
“However, when it came to greeting the Governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honoring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition.
Expressing his displeasure, Musa queried the attention his harmless gesture has gathered despite other pressing issues faced in the nation.
“It’s unfortunate that amidst all the pressing issues our nation faces – economic hardships, security challenges, religious clashes and more – this seemingly insignificant moment has garnered so much attention.
“Even national media outlets like ARISE TV have jumped on the bandwagon, diverting focus from issues that truly matter- highly disappointing I must say.
“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally.
“Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?
“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case.” He wrote.
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