The Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has sparked mixed reactions from many Nigerians over the viral photos of him prostrating to greet Ekiti state legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola.
The photos shared by Nigerian journalist, Arabinrin Aderonke, captured the governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, lying flat in prostration to greet the octogenarian.
Aderonke expressed excitement about Oyebanji displaying the deep-rooted cultural greeting in the Yoruba nation.
She wrote: “I am from Ekiti State, and here is my governor, a man I call BAO, greeting, Afe Babalola SAN, another Ekiti man and elder statesman, in the Yoruba way, as it should be. We are wired and trained to always greet & accord our superior with the utmost respect. Proud of you, Governor BAO.”
However, the pictures stirred mixed reactions, while some netizens hailed the governor over his humble personality despite his position as the number one citizen of the state, others seemed unimpressed, saying greetings don’t necessarily indicate good character.
@Kunzibaba wrote: “I hope he is effective in his role as Gov because greeting is not character.”
@Alooma4king wrote: “Humility of the highest order…… A rare scene at this modern time”
@MrBanRichy wrote: “This is not loyalty, is not a big deal. Is just like greeting an elderly person with two hands”
@NNdejiobi wrote: “May be a big deal in your clime. Not so elsewhere. Rolling on the floor is not a measure of how respectful one is in another clime. You can celebrate him for following your ethnic standard but don’t expect others to do same…we all respect our elders differently”
@KayKayl14 wrote: “The way we are trained in Ekiti. We never allow the position to override the strong values we hold.
@MartynObo wrote: “How does this translate into science and technology, which drives the development and industrialization of nations? Rubbish. No doubt, Nigeria is so dead backward”
@West_joy wrote: “Good governor”
