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Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has spoken out against a viral social media post that suggested Igbo men should avoid marrying Igbo women and instead consider women from East African countries. The post, which gained attention following a widely circulated photo of a Rwandan woman reportedly engaged to an Anambra man, propagated a stereotype that Igbo women are prone to making false accusations.
The post read: “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife. Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Responding to the message, Nnaji, who is from Mbaise in Imo State, condemned the advice, describing it as a reflection of misplaced blame and a harmful generalization. In a statement shared online, she said, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
The award-winning actress further emphasized that such sweeping generalizations are unfair and damaging. She drew a parallel between men stereotyping women and women misjudging men, stressing that assumptions based on isolated incidents only perpetuate mistrust and misunderstanding. “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women,’” she added.
Nnaji’s intervention has reignited a broader discussion on social media about the responsibility individuals bear in relationships, the dangers of ethnic stereotyping, and the importance of accountability in personal conduct. Observers note that while online advice often circulates freely, it can have real-world consequences when it reinforces harmful biases.
The post that triggered Nnaji’s response appears to be part of a growing trend on social media where personal grievances or fears are extrapolated into sweeping cultural statements. Many social media users weighed in, echoing Nnaji’s position that blanket assumptions about any group of people are both unfair and counterproductive. Some argued that instead of encouraging men to avoid certain women based on ethnicity, the conversation should focus on promoting mutual respect, consent, and ethical behavior within all relationships.
For Nnaji, the issue is not just about defending Igbo women, but also about challenging harmful narratives that excuse bad behavior under the guise of cultural preference. Her response reflects a commitment to fairness and an insistence that individuals take responsibility for their own actions rather than blaming entire groups.
This latest statement from Genevieve Nnaji adds to her reputation as an outspoken advocate for social justice and equality in Nigeria. By addressing the post directly, she has sparked important dialogue about accountability, respect in relationships, and the danger of perpetuating stereotypes online.
In an era where social media amplifies both positive and negative messages, Nnaji’s call for fairness serves as a reminder that cultural and ethnic labels should never be used to justify unethical behavior or generalize entire communities.
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