Sowore Spills After Blasting Tony Elumelu: “UBA Senior Management Official Reached Out to Me”
- Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore revealed that a senior UBA official reached out to him after he publicly criticised Tony Elumelu's treatment of a graduate trainee
- Sowore reframed the controversy as a class war rather than a culture clash, drawing a comparison involving Elumelu's children and household staff
- The activist also demanded that UBA provide psychosocial support to the young woman caught in the public storm
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Legit.ng as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has escalated his commentary on the viral Tony Elumelu graduate trainee controversy, revealing that a senior official from UBA contacted him directly following his earlier posts on the matter.
Sowore disclosed that the management official reached out regarding his stance on the young woman in UBA's Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), who had addressed billionaire Tony Elumelu by his first name, triggering widespread debate online.
Source: Instagram
Rather than backing down, Sowore doubled down on his position, insisting that what many were describing as a cultural misunderstanding was in fact something far more uncomfortable.
"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," he wrote.
Sowore makes comparison using gateman
To illustrate his point, Sowore posed a scenario: if Elumelu's own children were to address the family gateman or driver by their first name, nobody would raise an eyebrow.
Source: Instagram
Yet the same people outraged by a trainee calling Elumelu "Tony" would likely expect those same employees to address Elumelu's children with pronounced respect.
"That tells you immediately that this argument is not really about 'African culture' or respect. It is about class, status, wealth and power, about who society permits to speak casually to whom," he argued.
Sowore demands psychosocial support for trainee
Beyond the class debate, Sowore directed attention to the welfare of the trainee herself, calling on UBA to act swiftly.
"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," he stated, adding, "She should not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate hierarchy or social-media outrage. Her dignity, welfare and mental well-being must come first. Let the poor breathe!"
Here is the X post made by Omoyele Sowore about Tony Elumelu and the graduate trainee below:
The comments drew a range of reactions online. Here is what people said:
@HRH_bankeoniru wrote:
"It's upbringing. My boys address my driver as Mr Oluaiye. They address my house assistant as Aunty Kome. They addressed our security guard as uncle John. These people live with us, we provide them free accommodation to ease their lives. As Africans, respect is paramount."
@KingMattz1 said:
"Attention: @sowore sir, your views on this issue is out of context."
@Tomiwasoughtafter commented:
"Mr Sowore, this ur analogy is not right. When the privileged people wants to address the poor elderly ones, they usually use the word 'Baba isiaka' or baba gateman. The baba is a respected word use to address people even when u are in a privileged position. Dont promote rubbish."
@Opticfirst wrote:
"Education is not madness. Civilization, exposure and confidence building is not disrespect for our values. Nothing wrong with what happened. We must be proud of, preserve and promote our cultural heritage and values regardless."
@Anyannchi reacted:
"I don't think this should be your matter of concern @sowore as you seem don't understand this incidence."
@Shoyebi added:
"Mr. Tony's child speaking to their gateman or driver, and a graduate trainee at Mr. Tony's organisation speaking to him, do not entirely align like a perfect scenario, Mr. Omoyele. Let's not encourage what is not right."
Doris Ogala appreciates Omoyele over freedom
Legit.ng had reported that Doris Ogala announced that she had regained her freedom after being released from police detention following her arrest linked to Pastor Chris Okafor.
The actress had previously made several allegations against the cleric regarding their alleged romantic relationship, claiming that their relationship later turned sour.
Her release sparked reactions online, with fans celebrating the development and taunting the cleric in response to VDM’s video about the actress’s case.
Source: Legit.ng
