Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has been irked by media reports he snubbed a handshake with the Kano State governor Abba Kabir Yusuf during a visit in March.
Musa was seen in a trending video bowing to the governor, instead of taking the extended hand of the governor. During the meeting at the government house Kano, Musa shook the hands of all other officials and some publications and users of the social media took him on why he put up such behavior.
The former Kano Pillars player said in a statement that the media has misinterpreted his intentions, he took exception to the comments accusing him of disrespecting the governor.
“It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago, has unexpectedly become the center of attention on social media,” Musa said in the statement.
“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 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.”
