Bovi Apologizes for Comments on Gentle Parenting in Public U-Turn
Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugbomma has issued an apology after making controversial comments about gentle parenting. Earlier, Gistreel reported that Bovi had advocated for parents to embrace the gentle parenting approach in raising their children. However, in a surprising turn, the actor has now apologized for his remarks, acknowledging the differing opinions on the parenting method and expressing regret for any offense caused.
Bovi Apologizes for Gentle Parenting Comments Amid Backlash
Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugbomma has issued an apology after sparking controversy with his comments on gentle parenting. During an appearance on the Honest Bunch Podcast, Bovi shared that he does not beat his children, revealing that his son often breaks their television when angry, but he chooses not to punish him physically. Instead, Bovi said he lets his son be, in line with his belief in gentle parenting.
However, the comments quickly drew criticism from netizens, many of whom accused Bovi of failing to address his son’s anger issues and of raising a potentially violent child. The backlash prompted Bovi to apologize for his choice of words in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. In the tweet, he clarified that people are free to raise their children as they see fit, but emphasized that his father never beat him, and he would follow the same approach with his own children.
Bovi wrote, “I don go trigger angry people because of the phrase I used, ‘For the fun of it.’ Make una no vex. In trying to color my point, I’ve offended a shallow mob. You don’t have to agree with me. If you have children you want to beat, enjoy. My papa no physically beat me and I turned out almost ok.”
Despite the apology, reactions from netizens continue to pour in. Some expressed concern over Bovi’s parenting philosophy, with one user, @Neduzzy, stating, “Breaking tv 3 times is sure sign that you have failed in whatever you are doing in the name of training your child. That’s a high level of anger issues.” Another user, @winnerbennaba, sarcastically added, “I’m glad you acknowledge that you ‘turned out almost ok.’ Apparently, you’re not totally okay.”
Others, like @DamilareOdulesi, questioned whether Bovi’s podcast remarks were intended as comedy, pointing out that allowing children to misbehave without correction is not acceptable. “If you think that’s the right way to go, that’s your opinion. But for public sanity, we will correct an erroneous opinion,” they said.
The ongoing debate highlights the diversity of parenting approaches, with Bovi’s gentle parenting stance continuing to divide opinions across social media.