By Adeola Kunle

Delta Governor’s Aide Offers UBA Staff N500,000, Ambassadorial Role After Viral Elumelu Incident

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered financial support and an ambassadorial opportunity to a young employee of the United Bank for Africa who recently became the subject of widespread social media discussion after addressing the bank’s chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.

Ossai announced on Facebook on Saturday that he would give the woman N500,000 and sponsor her on a VIP trip to Asaba for the fourth edition of the Delta Social Media Summit.

The summit is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

According to Ossai, the support package includes N500,000 in cash, flight tickets to Asaba and accommodation in a five-star hotel. The woman would also be taken on a guided tour of development projects across Delta State.

She is also being offered VIP access to the summit, which will hold at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park, opposite Dennis Osadebay University in Asaba.

In addition, Ossai said she would be appointed a brand ambassador for the Delta Social Media Summit, an annual event.

Explaining why he decided to reach out to the young banker, the governor’s aide said he believed the criticism and online backlash directed at her had gone too far.

“I know the internet can be harsh. Depression is real, and words cut deep. She made a mistake, but we don’t need to torment her daily; she needs our support,” he wrote.

Ossai, however, commended Elumelu for correcting the woman and described the intervention as one that could promote greater respect in society.

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

He appealed to anyone who knows the UBA employee to ask her to contact him, saying he intended to give her an opportunity to share her side of the story.

“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,” Ossai said.

How the Incident Happened

The young woman became a major topic of discussion after a video from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony circulated widely on social media.

In the video, she addressed Elumelu as “Tony” while asking him a question.

Although Elumelu initially appeared to take the remark lightly, he later corrected her, insisting that she should address him 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?” Elumelu said.

The young employee subsequently corrected herself, addressed him as “Mr Elumelu” and continued with her question.

The video generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some supported Elumelu’s position on the importance of respect, others argued that the woman may simply have been following the first-name culture practised in some modern corporate workplaces.

The incident occurred during celebrations for 374 young professionals who completed UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme. The bank described the graduates as part of the next generation of leaders expected to contribute across its African markets.

Adeola Kunle