Bokku Mart, the Nigerian grocery chain, has issued a public apology following intense criticism over a promotional video that social media users widely condemned as “tribalistic”.
The controversial video, which has since been deleted,
featured influencer Defolah making remarks that implied Igbo traders cheat
their customers.
“So you mean I can get beans and garri Ijebu at Bokku
without any Omo Igbo cheating me?” the content creator asked.
“It’s so relaxing to shop without someone pulling you from
the left and right, shouting my colour.”
The comment triggered widespread outrage, with many accusing
the brand of promoting ethnic discrimination and disrespecting the Igbo
community.
In response to the online firestorm, Defolah stated that her
remarks were not intended to promote tribalism.
Addressing the controversy in a statement, Bokku Mart’s
management said it was “deeply saddened and disturbed” by the video.
The company condemned the offensive language, stating it was
“unacceptable and deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values”.
The grocery chain explained that the video was created by an
external influencer and published by a third-party media firm without prior
review by their internal team. The retailer, however, accepted full
responsibility for the incident.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by a video recently
shared online that contained offensive and hurtful language,” the statement
reads.
“The language used in the video was unacceptable and deeply
misaligned with Bokku’s values. While the content originated from an external
influencer and was published by a third-party media firm without prior review
by our team, we take full responsibility for its appearance on our platforms.
“We have since strengthened our content approval and vendor
oversight processes to ensure such an incident never happens again.
“Bokku Mart is more than a retail brand, we are a proudly
Nigerian company built on love for our people and communities.
“Our mission is to make everyday life better for ALL
Nigerians by ensuring access to quality products at affordable prices. We
celebrate our nation’s rich diversity and stand firmly against all forms of
discrimination.”
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