Nigerians react as Canadian zoo names gorillas Nneka, Ngozi, other relatable names

Nurudeen Shotayo 12:58 - 30 June 2024

That's my mother's name - Nigerians react as Canadian zoo names gorillas Nneka, Ngozi

The Canadian zoo located in Toronto chose interesting names mostly relatable to Nigerians for the gorillas.

Some Nigerians are taking exceptions to the fascinating naming system adopted by a Canadian zoo for their gorillas.

This followed a viral video posted by a social media user with username @iam_mattesh on his TikTok.

@iam_mattesh recorded the clip during his visit to the Toronto Zoo, located in the Canadian province of Ontario.

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.

However, there is another category of netizens who viewed the Canadian zoo's action as racist and disrespectful to their culture and ethnicity.

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. -
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

@iam_mattesh
Why this people no rate us 😭😩🤣🤣 #zoo #ngozi #iam_mattesh #nneka #canada_life🇨🇦 #canada🇨🇦
♬ original sound - Kvngmattesh