Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has stood her ground after facing criticism for kneeling on both knees to greet prominent socialite Shade Okoya and other dignitaries at a high-profile event. The moment, captured in a video that went viral, occurred during the 70th birthday celebration of former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel and quickly divided opinions online.
Abraham responded directly on X (formerly Twitter) to a fan identified as Lady Victoria, who had urged her to stop what she called “unnecessary kneeling.” The critic argued that the gesture made the actress appear to belittle herself and invited disrespect, adding that the women she knelt for were not significantly older than her. Lady Victoria also referenced Abraham’s past political support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, suggesting it was time for the actress to “carry yourself with pride and grace.”
The actress did not engage with the political jab. Instead, she made her position on the kneeling gesture crystal clear.
“I won’t stop kneeling to people who value and deserve it, my darling. I will continue to go on my both knees to greet people who value and deserve it no matter the status.”
The video showed Abraham lowering herself fully to greet Shade Okoya, her husband Alhaji Rasaq Okoya, and other respected guests at the lavish birthday gathering. While some viewers praised the act as a beautiful display of Yoruba cultural values of “Omoluabi” — humility and deep respect for elders — others felt it was excessive for a woman of her age and public standing. Critics argued that a simple bow or slight bend would have been sufficient and that needing assistance to stand afterwards went too far.
The exchange has sparked lively debate across social media, with many fans rallying behind the actress for upholding cultural norms in an era where such displays are sometimes viewed as outdated. Supporters described her action as genuine and classy, especially toward accomplished figures like the Okoyas.