Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has described the controversy surrounding a young trainee who addressed UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu by his first name as a matter of class and social hierarchy rather than cultural respect.
Sowore disclosed that a senior management official of UBA Group contacted him to discuss his position on the treatment of the young woman who was involved in the incident during the bank’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP).
According to Sowore, he rejected the argument that the incident was simply a clash between modern workplace practices and African culture.
He argued that the controversy instead reflected Nigeria’s longstanding class structure, where people of different social and economic backgrounds are often expected to observe different standards of respect and deference.
Sowore illustrated his argument by asking how Nigerians would react if a wealthy person’s child addressed a family driver or gateman by his first name.
He argued that such an occurrence would probably attract little criticism, while the same society might expect the worker to address the wealthy person’s children with considerable deference.
According to him, this demonstrates that the debate goes beyond traditional cultural values and is also influenced by wealth, status, power and social class.
Sowore said the young woman should not be subjected to further punishment or public humiliation because of the controversy.
He particularly called on UBA to provide her with appropriate psychosocial support, noting that the widespread criticism and online attacks directed at her could have serious psychological consequences.
The activist said whatever people’s opinions might be about the way she addressed Elumelu, no young employee or trainee should be left to deal with the consequences of becoming the focus of a major public controversy without adequate support.
Sowore maintained that the trainee’s dignity and welfare should take priority over corporate hierarchy and social media reactions.
He urged the organisation and members of the public to consider the human impact of the controversy, particularly on a young person who has suddenly found herself at the centre of intense public attention.
The controversy has continued to generate debate about workplace etiquette, traditional notions of respect, social hierarchy and the relationship between senior executives and younger employees in Nigeria.
