A video captured the moment Nollywood veterans Pete Edochie and Kanayo O. Kanayo greeted the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan, during a lavish birthday party which has sparked a heated discussion on various social media platforms.
In the viral video which made rounds on Thursday, Edochie and Kanayo gracefully approached Ooni’s table at the 40th birthday celebration of Nigerian entrepreneur Elizabeth Jack Rich on Tuesday.
The actors exchanged traditional Igbo back handshakes with the revered monarch, creating a memorable interaction.
A Twitter user, Max Maxwell criticised the monarch, Ooni of Ife, for accepting a handshake, stating, “The responsibility lies with the Ooni of Ife for visiting such a place and for accepting a handshake from individuals. I have no issues with Nollywood stars, but they should show respect by bowing before the king of Ife. Would the former Ooni of Ife ever attempt this or even shake his hand?”
Linc, the son of Edochie, praised the actor by saying, “A gathering of elites…”
Blazing Fire stated that, “They gave the Oba three handshakes, which is how great men are traditionally greeted in Igboland. Do you expect Chief Pete Edochie to prostrate before the Oba? It’s not customary; we are NdIgbo.”
Ugezu J. Ugezu, a movie director, commended the actor, saying, “When you hear OKWU OTO EKENE EZE… now you understand it.” This phrase translates to “he who stands up straight to greet kings.”
Flappyu said, “If you don’t respect yourself, no one will… If the real and former king were on the throne, this nonsense would not happen. I respect the work and talent of the legend, but if the king starts respecting the throne and acts like a king, this madness would not occur. At the very least, remove your cap.”
However, Obi Akamel, another user, responded to the video, saying, “I watched this again, and it was actually the Ooni who offered the handshake first. Edochie is a god on his own.”
Max Maxwell criticised the monarch, Ooni of Ife, for accepting a handshake, stating, “The responsibility lies with the Ooni of Ife for visiting such a place and for accepting a handshake from individuals. I have no issues with Nollywood stars, but they should show respect by bowing before the king of Ife. Would the former Ooni of Ife ever attempt this or even shake his hand?”
Linc, the son of Edochie, praised the actor by saying, “A gathering of elites…”
Blazing Fire stated that the number of handshakes represents the traditional way great men are greeted in Igboland. He expressed, “They gave the Oba three handshakes, which is how great men are traditionally greeted in Igboland. Do you expect Chief Pete Edochie to prostrate before the Oba? It’s not customary; we are NdIgbo.”
Ugezu J. Ugezu, a movie director, commended the actor, saying, “When you hear OKWU OTO EKENE EZE… now you understand it.” This phrase translates to “he who stands up straight to greet kings.”
Flappyu remarked, “If you don’t respect yourself, no one will… If the real and former king were on the throne, this nonsense would not happen. I respect the work and talent of the legend, but if the king starts respecting the throne and acts like a king, this madness would not occur. At the very least, remove your cap.”
However, Obi Akamel, another user, responded to the video, saying, “I watched this again, and it was actually the Ooni who offered the handshake first. Edochie is a god on his own.”
