Shaffy Bello Backs Respectful Titles, Says She Dislikes Being Called by First Name

Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has spoken out about the importance of showing respect to older people, saying younger individuals should use appropriate titles rather than casually addressing elders by their first names.

Her comments come amid the ongoing discussion sparked by a viral video involving United Bank for Africa Chairman Tony Elumelu. In the video, Elumelu corrected a young woman who addressed him simply as “Tony,” asking her to call him “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.” The incident generated widespread debate about respect, age and cultural differences in the way people address their elders.

Speaking on a recent podcast, Bello revealed that she is uncomfortable when people considerably younger than her address her simply as “Shaffy.”
“When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,’” she said.

The actress explained that the issue is even more noticeable because she has children around the same age as some of the younger people who address her by her first name.

“I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name,” she said.

Bello stressed that she believes traditional forms of respect, such as addressing older women as “Ma” or “Ma’am,” should remain part of everyday interactions.

“Whatever happened to Ma’am?” she asked, adding that she also dislikes the increasingly common casual greeting, “Hi.”
“There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it,” the actress said.
According to Bello, differences in upbringing and culture may influence how younger people communicate with older adults.

She noted that while social norms may differ between Nigeria and other countries, she has also experienced respectful forms of address in the United States.
“Even children in the U.S. call me ‘Ma,’” she said, emphasising that respect for elders remains important regardless of location or cultural background.

Bello, however, said she understands that some young people may have been raised differently and may not intentionally mean to be disrespectful when they say, “Hi Shaffy.”

Rather than reacting angrily, she said she prefers to correct them with love and explain the importance of showing respect to older people.

Her comments have added to the wider conversation about generational differences, cultural values and the changing ways Nigerians address people who are older or hold prominent positions in society.

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