Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has weighed in on the debate over how younger people address older adults, saying she expects to be addressed with respect rather than by her first name.
Bello’s comments have resurfaced amid the viral video of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman Tony Elumelu correcting a young woman who addressed him as “Tony” during a recent event.
Elumelu told the woman to call him “Mr. Elumelu” or “TOE,” sparking debate online over age, respect, and the use of first names in Nigerian workplaces.
Speaking on an earlier podcast appearance, Bello said she does not appreciate being called “Shaffy” by people significantly younger than her.
“When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right,’” she said.
The actress said she would rather be addressed as “Ma’am” and questioned the growing use of casual greetings such as “Hi.”
“There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it,” Bello said.
She added that the way people address elders is influenced by culture and upbringing, noting that respectful titles remain common in different societies.
Bello stressed that she prefers to correct younger people with love rather than react harshly, saying respect for elders remains important to her.
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