Debate rages after Elumelu corrects young lady who called him ‘Tony’
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Tony Elumelu, Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, has drawn mixed reactions after correcting a young woman who addressed him as “Tony”, sparking debate on respect and how younger people address their elders.
In a video that has gone viral, the woman was heard saying, “Good morning, Tony,” while greeting the businessman. Elumelu initially appeared to mishear her, replying, “Toyin? Toyin?”
When she clarified, he said: “Okay. No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?”
The exchange has triggered debate online over cultural norms and respect.
On X, @Omojuwa wrote: “I got introduced to a big CEO recently, he was referred to by his initials. I still called him Mr. Surname. That’s safety first. If he wants me to call him by his initials or first name, he can always say that. People should learn these nuances. Even abroad, it’s not a given. Always go with Mr. Surname. There’s zero risk.”
@SavvyRinu added: “I have worked across over 20 countries including the US and UK as a Gen Z. In many rooms I was the youngest person. The greatest skill you need is not your certificate, but the ability to work across cultures. The fact that a 76-year-old CEO in my workplace 3 streets from the White House asked me to call him Damon doesn’t mean I should come back to Nigeria and call Dr. Oby Ezekwesili by her first name. It’s lack of social intelligence. When you are in Rome, behave like a Roman. Adapt quickly or be left behind.”
But AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore disagreed: “When I said Tony Elumelu is a content creator with little or no intellect, his supporters were enraged. Now, what exactly is the difference between being called ‘Tony’ and ‘TOE’? Much ado about nothing! This is what Nigerians used to call ‘money miss road.’”
