After ‘Tony’ Controversy, Delta Gov Aide Offers UBA Staff N500,000, Ambassadorial Deal

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered N500,000 and an ambassadorial role to the young UBA employee who recently went viral after addressing the bank’s Chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.

Ossai made the offer in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying he was concerned by the backlash the woman received following the incident at UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony.

The package, according to the governor’s aide, includes N500,000 cash support, return flight tickets to Asaba, five-star hotel accommodation and a guided tour of developmental projects in Delta State.

He also offered the young woman VIP access to the fourth edition of the Delta Social Media Summit, scheduled for August 27 at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park in Asaba, as well as a brand ambassador role for the annual event.

Explaining his decision to support the woman, Ossai said the backlash against her had become excessive.

“I know the internet can be harsh. Depression is real, and words cut deep.

“She made a mistake, but we don’t need to t*rment her daily; she needs our support,” Ossai wrote.

He also thanked Elumelu for what he described as pointing out the correction needed to strengthen respect in society.

“Thank you Mr Tony Elumelu for pointing out the needed correction that will further strengthen respect in our society,” he added.

Ossai appealed to members of the public who know the woman to ask her to contact him.

“If you’re reading this or anyone knows her, please ask her to DM me. I will give her a good time and a platform to tell her story.

“Let’s turn this pain into purpose. She won’t be disappointed,” he said.

The young woman attracted widespread attention after a video from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony showed her addressing Elumelu as “Tony” while asking a question.

Elumelu, who initially appeared to take the remark lightly, subsequently told her that he preferred to be addressed as “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.”

“Okay. No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?” he said.

The woman then corrected herself and addressed him as “Mr Elumelu” before continuing with her question.

The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting Elumelu’s position while others argued that the woman could have been following the first-name culture common in some corporate workplaces.

The exchange triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting Elumelu’s position on formal address, while others argued that the woman may have been influenced by first-name practices common in some corporate environments.

UBA was celebrating 374 young professionals who completed its Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, which the bank described as part of its effort to develop the next generation of leaders across its African markets.