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

Human rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the backlash faced by a young staff member at United Bank for Africa (UBA) after addressing the bank's Chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name. Sowore called on the bank to provide the young woman with psychosocial support following the public ridicule and attacks she has endured since the incident went viral.

Elumelu had corrected the woman who addressed him as "Tony" during an interaction, stating that he does not subscribe to "oyinbo life" and stressing the importance of respect in African culture. Sowore dismissed the argument that this was simply a clash between African and Western cultures, describing it as a "class war" that reflects the social hierarchy and class consciousness that often determines who should show deference and who is allowed to speak casually.

He argued that if Elumelu's children were to address a family gateman or driver by their first name, there would be little outrage. Sowore emphasized that the issue is not about African culture or respect but about class, status, wealth, and power. He urged UBA to provide the young woman with appropriate psychosocial support, stating that no young employee or trainee should be left to deal with the psychological consequences of becoming the target of widespread public criticism.