After Elumelu’s rebuke, Delta gov aide offers UBA staff N500,000, ambassadorial deal
August 22, 2026 4:13 pm
File: Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success
The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered N500,000 cash support and an ambassadorial deal to the young UBA employee who recently went viral after she addressed the bank’s chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.
Ossai made the offer in a Facebook post on Saturday, in which he also said he would provide the woman with a complimentary VIP trip to Asaba for the fourth edition of the Delta Social Media Summit, scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026.
He said the package would include “N500,000 cash support,” flight tickets to Asaba and “5-Star Hotel Accommodation.”
According to him, the woman would also receive a “Guided tour of developmental projects in Delta State” as part of the offer.
Ossai added that she would have “VIP Access to the Summit on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Mariam Babangida Leisure Park, Opposite Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.”
He also offered her an ambassadorial position, saying the package included a “Brand Ambassador Role for Delta Social Media Summit – an annual platform.”
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.
UBA had been celebrating 374 young professionals who completed its Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, with the bank describing them as part of the next generation of leaders across its African markets.
Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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