Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has sparked a conversation about respect for elders in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate titles rather than first names. Her comments come in light of a viral video featuring UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu, who corrected a young woman for addressing him simply as "Tony" during a public event.

In the video, Elumelu requested the woman to refer to him as "Mr. Elumelu" or "TOE," igniting discussions on the cultural significance of addressing older individuals respectfully. Bello, in a recent podcast, shared her discomfort when younger people call her by her first name, stating, "When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will.’"

Bello elaborated on her feelings, noting that the casualness of such interactions is particularly unsettling given that she has children around the same age as those addressing her. She stated, "I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name."

The actress expressed her discontent with modern greetings, highlighting that traditional forms of respect, such as "Ma’am," are often overlooked. She questioned, "Whatever happened to Ma’am?" and expressed her irritation with the casual greeting "Hi," stating, "There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it."

Bello attributed the differences in how younger generations address older individuals to cultural upbringing, comparing practices in Nigeria and the United States. She noted that even children in the U.S. show respect by using titles like "Ma" when addressing adults. "Respect for elders remains important to me," she affirmed.

While acknowledging that some younger people may not have been taught these customs, Bello emphasized her preference for correcting them with kindness rather than harshness. She understands that cultural backgrounds influence interactions but remains firm in her belief that respect should be upheld in all circumstances.

As the debate continues, Shaffy Bello's remarks resonate with many who share her views on the importance of maintaining respect in social interactions, particularly in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.