Reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija housemate Uriel Oputa has warned fans to stop attempting to shake her hands when they meet her in public.
The 37-year-old gave the warning on Instagram Stories, narrating how a fan recently confronted her in a store while she was running errands early in the morning.
According to Uriel, the fan blocked her and insisted on taking a picture despite her reluctance. After getting the photo, the person then stretched out a hand for a handshake, which she found irritating.
“Stop trying to shake my hands. Y’all are annoying,” Uriel wrote.
She added, “After I’ve said Multiple times, I don’t shake hands. Not because I’m proud or rude, but because I’ve seen too much.”
Uriel further expressed her frustration, saying, “Please, is there a grain cell we need to resurrect? Reboot? Recharge with Nepa light. Because I’m not understanding what’s going on.”
Uriel, who rose to fame after participating in the second season of BBNaija in 2017 and returned as an all-star housemate in 2023, is known for being outspoken about personal space and health concerns.
Earlier this year, the media personality also spoke about her decision to avoid physical contact with people due to hygiene and health awareness.
In another post in June, Uriel addressed critics who age-shamed her, especially some Nigerian men who mocked her for being unmarried at 37.
“Think twice before insulting a woman because she is growing gracefully and beautifully, it is not an insult to age, it’s a blessing… I’d rather grow old than be six feet under with regrets,” she wrote.
She continued, “Don’t mock what you can’t understand.”
Uriel has also opened up about her experience caring for her mother who lives with dementia. According to her, the journey has taught her patience, love, and forgiveness.
“I’m not perfect but I know how to forgive after years of carrying a lot of anger,” she wrote.
She added that the experience shaped her passion for speaking on health and prevention, saying, “This experience is why she is so passionate about speaking on health and prevention, and she wants to make sure others don’t go through what she is going through because it is fucking hard.”
