Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, has responded to a viral video of him leaving Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s hand hanging when the governor attempted to shake him.
The video showed Ahmed Musa shaking the hand of the Kano State Deputy Governor, but when the Kano Governor stretched out his hand to shake the Super Eagles Captain, Musa simply bowed without taking the hand of the governor. The video of the encounter made Arise News social media trend on Tuesday.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Musa berated Arise News for making the video an issue, saying that he only respected the Governor by declining the handshake.
The statement reads: “It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago, has unexpectedly become the center of attention on social media. It’s disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion.
“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.
“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. Even national media outlets like ARISE TV have jumped on the bandwagon, diverting focus from issues that truly matter- highly disappointing I must say.
“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?
“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case.”
Ahmed Musa refused to shake the hand of Kano State Governor.
Twitter NG: Musa was very disrespectful.
Reality: It's the Hausa/Fulani culture to reject an handshake from someone you've got deep respect for. It says, I'm not worthy to shake your hand.
Learn and respect people's… pic.twitter.com/GOxtpjabVt
— Lawrence I. Okoro ( Sir Law ) (@LawrenceOkoroPG) April 1, 2024
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