Call me TOE or Mr Elumelu: Sowore condemns backlash against UBA staff, demands psychosocial support

Human rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticized the public outcry against a young United Bank for Africa (UBA) staff member. The employee faced backlash after addressing the bank's Chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name, "Tony." Sowore believes the incident is not merely a cultural misunderstanding but a manifestation of deep-seated class divisions.

Elumelu had corrected the woman during an interaction, stating he did not subscribe to "oyinbo life" (a term often referring to Westernized culture) and emphasizing the importance of respect in African culture. However, Sowore rejected this framing. He argued in a Facebook post that the reaction was a "class war," highlighting how social hierarchies dictate expectations of deference based on status, wealth, and power.

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I made it clear that, in my view, this was not a ‘culture clash’; it was a class war, a reflection of the deeply entrenched hierarchy and class consciousness that too often determines who is considered entitled to demand deference and who is expected to provide it.

Sowore posited that if Elumelu's children addressed a family driver or gateman by their first name, it would likely not provoke similar outrage. He suggested that those criticizing the young woman would expect a driver to address Elumelu's children with exaggerated respect, thus revealing the argument to be about class and power rather than purely about African culture.

Beyond the debate on cultural norms and class, Sowore's primary concern is the psychological toll on the young employee. He urged UBA to provide her with immediate and appropriate psychosocial support, emphasizing that no trainee should endure widespread public criticism alone. The controversy gained traction after a video of the interaction went viral.

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More importantly, I specifically requested that, given the enormous public opprobrium, ridicule, and attacks this young woman has been subjected to, UBA must immediately provide her with appropriate psychosocial support.