The gorillas at the Toronto-based Canadian zoo have intriguing names that are primarily relevant to Nigerians.
There are Nigerians who find it objectionable to the intriguing naming scheme a Canadian zoo has implemented for its gorillas.
This happened after a social media user going by the handle @iam_mattesh uploaded a popular video to his TikTok.
The video was captured by @iam_mattesh while he was at the Toronto Zoo, which is situated in the Ontario province of Canada.
As seen in the video, the zoo chose names such as Nneka, Ngozi, Sadiki, and other names relatable mostly to Nigerians for the gorillas whose pictures and profiles were being put on display.
Meanwhile, the video sparked mixed reactions as some Nigerians made light of the development, while others saw it as an opportunity to create meme-worthy content.
Some online users, on the other hand, believed that the Canadian zoo’s actions were racist and disrespectful of their ethnicity and culture.
Below are some of the reactions on TikTok and X:
The fact my name is Nneka and my mothers name is ngozi and my uncle,my grandfather and cousin are all called Charles is painful – @KandyGold
omo I no say e day make una laugh o, but that thing day vex me wells – @prosperinno
My sister’s name is Ngozi, my mum na Nneka and my dad na Charlie 😭😭😂😂😂😂- @charles12570
This is Racist it’s funny but not funny – @only_one_dee88
Just imagine someone saying that ‘you look like Canada Ngozi’ 😭- beautyodu
But really, this is blatant racism from them. It’s not suppose to be funny tho. -@smartjoe
nothing you wan tell me…..na igbo man get that zoo or the founder 😂😂- @moreland3033
Ghana thought they have escaped…. but bullet still hit them 😂😂😂😂 – @lee.kim.jisson
Ngozi no pain me , but wetin my Date of Birth Dey do For Nneka picture 😒😂 – @happyloner14
And gorillas for that matter. They couldn’t name the penguins or birds or crocodiles. They should sha stay away from Yoruba names o. – @YeyeOba002
The same way we name our local dogs bully, Jack, etc etc – @FLEXIEMERITUS
So far there’s Charles on the list of gorilla names, I don’t think it’s big issue. Let not drive any yeye agenda here biko. It simply shows they value the animals to extent of giving human names. #AnimalRights – @Osho1_official
In Kano zoo I saw an elephant with the name Giwa – @pontrol_777
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