Delta Gov Aide Offers UBA Staff N500,000, Ambassadorial Deal After Elumelu’s Rebuke

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered ₦500,000 in cash support and an ambassadorial role to the young UBA employee who recently went viral after addressing the bank’s chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.

Ossai announced the offer in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying he would also sponsor the woman’s trip to Asaba for the fourth edition of the Delta Social Media Summit scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Package Includes Cash, Flight and Hotel

According to Ossai, the support package includes:

• ₦500,000 cash support
• Flight tickets to Asaba
• Five-star hotel accommodation
• A guided tour of developmental projects in Delta State
• VIP access to the Delta Social Media Summit
• An ambassadorial role for the annual Delta Social Media Summit

The event is scheduled to hold at Mariam Babangida Leisure Park, opposite Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.

‘She Made a Mistake, But We Don’t Need to Torment Her’

Ossai said he decided to intervene because he believed the backlash against the young woman had gone too far.

“I know the internet can be harsh. Depression is real, and words cut deep,” he said.

“She made a mistake, but we don’t need to torment her daily; she needs our support.”

He also thanked Elumelu for what he described as correcting an issue of respect and appealed to members of the public who know the woman to encourage 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,” Ossai said.

“Let’s turn this pain into purpose. She won’t be disappointed.”

How the Controversy Started

The young employee became the subject of widespread discussion after a video from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony showed her addressing Elumelu as “Tony” while asking a question.

Elumelu initially appeared to take the remark lightly but subsequently told her that he preferred to be addressed as “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.”

The woman immediately corrected herself and continued with her question.

The incident generated mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians supported Elumelu’s position on formal respect, while others argued that addressing senior executives by their first names is common in some corporate environments.

UBA recently celebrated 374 young professionals who completed its Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, describing them as part of the next generation of leaders across its African markets.