lywood actress and evangelist Apostle Dr. Eucharia Anunobi has apologised to businessman Tony Elumelu on behalf of a young woman who recently addressed him by his first name.
Reacting to the incident, Anunobi said the young lady should have immediately apologised and shown respect to the business leader.
“She should have immediately gone on her knees and say she is sorry to Sir Tony Elumelu. I am sorry on her behalf,” she said.
Her comments have added to the growing conversation surrounding respect, titles and how younger people address older or more accomplished individuals.
The issue gained attention after a recent interaction involving Elumelu, in which he reportedly corrected a young woman who referred to him simply as “Tony,” asking her to address him as “Mr. Elumelu.”
The incident has since divided opinions online. While some Nigerians believe using first names reflects modern workplace culture and informality, others argue that Nigerian cultural values place importance on age, status and respectful titles.
Anunobi’s reaction strongly reflects the latter position, suggesting that showing respect to elders and people in positions of authority remains an important part of Nigerian social etiquette.
The debate has also revived discussions about the differences between Nigerian and Western approaches to addressing senior figures, particularly in professional environments.
