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Nigeria Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has had to defend himself over allegations of lacking respect for a governor after he decided not to shake the politician’s hands.
Nigeria Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has stepped forward to clarify the controversy surrounding a video depicting him refusing to shake hands with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
In response to the social media uproar that ensued after the video went viral, Musa took to Twitter on Tuesday 2 April, to address the matter. He expressed his disappointment at the attention the incident received, emphasising that the gesture was deeply rooted in Northern cultural norms.
Despite Ahmed Musa's net worth and massive assets, he still knows how to show respect which he claims is part of their culture.
Musa explained that in Northern culture, kneeling and shaking hands are symbolic of the highest form of respect. He stated that his intention was to show respect to the governor by choosing to bow instead of shaking hands, a gesture deeply embedded in tradition.
"It's disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion," Musa remarked. "In our Northern culture, the gesture of kneeling, shaking hands, etc., signifies the highest form of respect. This was my intention when I greeted the Deputy Governor in such a manner. However, when it came to greeting the Governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honoring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition."
The football star expressed dismay at the disproportionate focus on the incident, particularly in light of more pressing national issues such as economic hardships and security challenges. He criticised the media, including national outlets like ARISE TV, for diverting attention from critical matters to what he considered a trivial moment.
"It's unfortunate that amidst all the pressing issues our nation faces – economic hardships, security challenges, religious clashes, and more – this seemingly insignificant moment has garnered so much attention," Musa lamented. "Even national media outlets like ARISE TV have jumped on the bandwagon, diverting focus from issues that truly matter- highly disappointing I must say."
Addressing comments questioning his respectfulness, Musa urged the public to reflect on their energy allocation, stressing the need to prioritise solutions to societal problems over unnecessary distractions.
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