Popular Nollywood actress, Regina Chukwu, has reacted to the backlash that followed her newly found Yoruba name despite being Igbo.
The mother of two said she was faced with heavy tribal criticisms for calling herself a Yoruba name.
The Yoruba screen goddess, who was present at Funke Akindele’s A Tr!be Called Judah movie premiere had shared a video of her at the event on her TikTok page, with the caption, ‘Arike Ni Mi’.
Her caption didn’t sit well with many of her Igbo fans, who took to her comment section to remind her of her ethnicity.
Now reacting to it via her Instagram page, Regina stated that she has loved ones who are Yorubas and they have accepted her wholeheartedly so it’s proper 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 at 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 elderly 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”, she wrote.