Mo Abudu prefers formal titles from young people

Media boss and EbonyLife CEO, Mo Abudu, has shared why she wants younger people to call her formally. She says her traditional upbringing shaped her ideas about respect.

Abudu spoke during a chat with Toke Makinwa on Toke Moments, shared on Instagram on Saturday. She described herself as “very traditional” and mentioned that her grandmother raised her in Ondo.

The media executive stated that she does not like being called casually by her first name, especially by younger people.
“I am very traditional. I was brought up in Ondo by my grandmother. You can’t be calling me by my first name anyhow. I won’t take it!” she said.

Views on Women in Business

Abudu also talked about how women are seen in the business world. She believes that qualities often used negatively to describe successful women are seen differently when it comes to men.

“If I was a man, they wouldn’t say I was a shark. They’re going to say she’s an astute businesswoman,” she said.

On the topic of relationships, the 61-year-old media executive said that “nobody can break my heart.” She insists that heartbreak is no longer something she worries about at her age.

She also mentioned that she would rather date someone her age or older, saying that to earn her respect, “you must have achieved something.”

Workplace Etiquette

Her comments come during a recent discussion about how younger employees should speak to senior executives.

At the graduation ceremony for UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, a trainee was recently interrupted by the bank’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu. This happened after she greeted him simply as “Tony.”

In a video from the event, the trainee was heard saying, “Good morning, Tony,” while speaking to the businessman. Elumelu, however, showed his displeasure and corrected the graduate trainee, asking her to call him “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.”