President Bola Tinubu showed respect by bowing to greet 93-year-old billionaire Alhaji Aminu Dantata at Aso Rock. Media aide Bayo Onanuga called this a "trademark respect," highlighting Tinubu's acknowledgment of Nigerian cultural values.
In a moment that has captured national attention, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu demonstrated a gesture of profound respect by bowing down to greet Alhaji Aminu Dantata, a 93-year-old elder statesman and billionaire businessman, during his visit to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. The act, which has since gone viral, was highlighted by Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, as a hallmark of the President’s character.
Taking to his X account (formerly Twitter) shortly after the meeting, Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu's bow was not an impulsive act but a deliberate display of respect. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu showed trademark respect to Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, Chairman of Dantata Group of Companies, when the latter visited him in Abuja on Tuesday. Dantata, 93 on 19 May, is the patriarch of the Alhassan Dantata family in Kano," Onanuga wrote.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata is a highly respected figure in Nigerian society, not only for his vast business empire but also as the uncle of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. His visit to the Presidential Villa was marked by this significant cultural gesture, which underscores the deep-rooted traditions of respect and humility in Nigerian culture.
In Nigeria, and many other cultures, bowing the head when greeting someone can convey a range of meanings, including respect, humility, and deference. This act by President Tinubu has been interpreted as an acknowledgment of Dantata’s age, status, and contributions to the nation.
Reactions to the gesture have been widespread. Many have praised Tinubu for his demonstration of traditional values, seeing it as a reminder of the importance of respecting elders and recognizing their enduring legacies. The event also provided a moment of cultural reflection, highlighting the enduring significance of traditional gestures in contemporary politics.
Bayo Onanuga’s remarks reinforced this sentiment, framing the President’s action as a deliberate and respectful acknowledgment of a revered elder. "In our society, respect for elders is paramount. Tinubu’s act is a reflection of his understanding and appreciation of our traditions," he stated.
