A media aide to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has offered N500,000 ($365) and an ambassadorial role to a young United Bank for Africa employee who faced widespread backlash after addressing the bank’s chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name.

Ossai Success, the governor’s senior special assistant on media, made the offer in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying he would also sponsor the woman’s trip to Asaba for the fourth Delta Social Media Summit on August 27.

The package includes return flight tickets, five-star hotel accommodation and a guided tour of development projects in Delta State, Ossai said.

He also offered her VIP access to the summit and a brand ambassador role for the annual event.

“I know the internet can be harsh. Depression is real, and words cut deep,” Ossai wrote.

“She made a mistake, but we don’t need to t*rment her daily; she needs our support.”

The young employee became the subject of online discussion after a video from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony showed her addressing Elumelu as “Tony” while asking a question.

Elumelu initially appeared to take the remark lightly but later told her he preferred to be addressed as “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE”.

“Okay. No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE,” he said.

The woman immediately corrected herself and continued her question, addressing the businessman as “Mr Elumelu”.

The exchange was widely shared on social media, prompting mixed reactions.

Some Nigerians backed Elumelu’s insistence on formal address, while others argued that using first names was common in some corporate environments and that the employee did not deserve the scale of criticism directed at her.

Ossai said the public reaction had gone too far and appealed to people who knew the woman to encourage her to contact him.

“If you’re reading this or anyone knows her, please ask her to DM me. I will give her a good time and a platform to tell her story,” he said.

“Let’s turn this pain into purpose. She won’t be disappointed.”

He also thanked Elumelu for what he described as highlighting a need to reinforce respect in society.

The incident occurred as UBA celebrated 374 young professionals who completed its Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, which the bank described as part of efforts to develop the next generation of leaders across its African markets.