Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the public backlash against a young United Bank for Africa staff member who faced criticism after addressing the bank’s Chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.
Sowore made his position known on Saturday in a Facebook post, following the controversy that erupted after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.
The young woman, who is taking part in UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, had addressed Elumelu as Tony during an interaction. The bank chairman corrected her, leading to a wider discussion about respect, workplace conduct and how senior figures should be addressed.
Elumelu later explained his position by referring to the importance of African values and respect for elders and people in positions of authority.
Sowore disagreed with the idea that the incident was mainly a disagreement between African and Western cultures. He argued that the reaction to the incident was more closely linked to social class, wealth, status and power.
According to him, the level of outrage would likely have been different if the situation involved members of Elumelu’s family addressing a domestic worker or driver by their first name.
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He said such a comparison showed that the debate went beyond the issue of culture or manners and was also connected to how people relate to others based on their social and economic positions.
Sowore disclosed that a senior UBA management official had contacted him over his earlier comments about the treatment of the young employee.
He said his main concern was the effect the controversy could have on the woman, who has faced widespread criticism and ridicule since the video became public.
The activist called on UBA to provide the staff member with proper psychosocial support to help her deal with the pressure arising from the incident.
He said a young employee or trainee should not be left to handle the emotional consequences of suddenly becoming the subject of a major public controversy.
Sowore also urged people to consider the welfare and dignity of the woman rather than allowing the controversy to become a wider source of online attacks.
He maintained that whatever opinion people might have about the way she addressed Elumelu, the situation should not expose her to continued public humiliation or cause lasting emotional harm.
The controversy has since generated debate across Nigeria over workplace etiquette, the use of first names when addressing senior executives and the role of traditional values in modern corporate environments.
The incident has also raised questions about the balance between professional respect and the treatment of junior employees, particularly when workplace disagreements become viral on social media.
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