Regina Chukwu, a Nollywood actress, has broken her silence following harsh ethnic condemnation for using a Yoruba name.
The Yoruba singer, who was there at Funke Akindele’s A Tribe Called Judah movie premiere, had shared a video of her at the event on her TikTok channel, with the comment, ‘Arike Ni Mi’.
Many of her Igbo followers flocked to her comment area to remind her of her heritage, which she ignored.
Regina responded to it on her Instagram page, saying that she has Yoruba loved ones who have welcomed her thus it’s only natural that she has a Yoruba name.
She added that her man gave her the name and she cherishes it so much. She further recounted how while growing up, her landlord gave her a Yoruba name on her naming ceremony.
“So I posted this video on TikTok with that ARIKE NI MI’ caption and some people have been on my neck reminding me that I am Igbo (which I obviously can’t forget) but I have loved ones who are Yorubas and they have accepted me wholeheartedly so it’s proper I have a Yoruba name but in this case, it’s name.
Storytime
I was born in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos, i grew up to be called ABOSEDE by an eldërly landlord on my street, one day I asked my mum why does that man call me Abosede and my mum told me cos I was born on a Sunday and that man (baba Sunday) personally gave me that name on my naming and ever since, he addressed me as such
Now to the ARIKE
My Man gave me that name and I cherish it so much
So ARIKE NI MI, gbogbo eni to ba ri mi ko ma kemi.
Meanwhile pls follow me on TikTok @regina.chinedu.chukwu”.
