Reactions trail Anthony Joshua’s meeting with Buhari in UK

Following the meeting of the world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua with President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with Nigerians in London, some Nigerians have taken to their social media handles with mixed reactions.

Anthony Joshua had prostrated to President Buhari after presenting his titles to the Nigerian leader, a typical gesture to show respect for elders in Yoruba culture.

The world heavyweight champion defeated Mexican star Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia on December 7, to reclaim his heavyweight’s belts in style.

A presidential aide Bashir Ahmed had tweeted first photos of the event:

RESPECT; @anthonyfjoshua, the world heavyweight champion greeting President @MBuhari after a meeting of Nigerians in Diaspora put together by @nidcom_gov. pic.twitter.com/y5IHJ6F4f1

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 18, 2020

The World Champ @anthonyfjoshua pic.twitter.com/PtjiPOp9cz

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 18, 2020

The move had angered some Nigerians who obviously could not distinguish sentiments from reality with the following tweets:

How can Anthony Joshua get an opportunity to end Nigeria's problem, Baba go dey prostrate for Buhari

Oluwa Wetin dey prostrate like this? ?? https://t.co/K6iTfzN97J

— Kene_is_Manuel #Igbomade (@kene_manuel) January 18, 2020

I just hope Anthony Joshua @anthonyfjoshua will not lose this belt in his next fight because we know how it usually end when you have a contact with @MBuhari pic.twitter.com/uza6lhSc9B

— Towolawi Jamiu (@jharmo) January 19, 2020

But most of the negative tweets were met with commensurable replies in the comment threads with some arguing that it is only normal for a youth to show some respect to his elders which is the practice in Africa.