Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa, has broken his silence on reports that he refused to shake hands with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.
Musa said his action was a sign of cultural respect, expressing shock that it was taken out of context.
A viral video had shown Musa refusing to shake hands with the governor after shaking the deputy governor.
In the footage, the former Super Eagles star bowed to the governor instead of shaking his hands.
But, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Musa said: “It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago has unexpectedly become the center of attention on social media.
“It’s disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion. 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, honoring 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 I must say.
“What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?
“I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all. And with this, I rest my case.”