Ahmed Musa Clarifies Controversy Surrounding Handshake Incident with Kano Governor

• Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa clarifies his gesture towards Kano governor, stating it was a cultural sign of respect
• Musa expresses disappointment over diverging attention from critical national issues to his cultural gesture controversy

Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles striker, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding an incident where he refrained from shaking hands with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

In a video circulated last month, Musa was seen at the Government House in Kano, where he exchanged greetings with the deputy governor but chose to bow instead of shaking hands with the governor.

Following various interpretations on social media, Musa clarified his actions in a statement issued on Tuesday, emphasizing that it was a gesture of cultural respect deeply rooted in Northern traditions.

“It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago has unexpectedly become the centre of attention on social media. Seeing a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion is disheartening. 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, honouring 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 like ARISE TV have jumped on the bandwagon, diverting focus from issues that truly matter- highly disappointing.

“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially those who don’t know me personally. Let’s pause momentarily and reflect on where we direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to our society’s problems rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?

“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case.”