*Uthman Shodipe Kicks Too
The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union ( IDU) has expressed displeasures at the way their culture ‘Eyo masquerade’ was misrepresented in the newly released “Gangs of Lagos” movie.
The IDU made this known in a release by its Chairman, Mr. Yomi Tokosi which was made available to NPOReports on Wednesday.
The Jade Osiberu film which was released on Prime Video on April 7, 2023, with a star-studded cast including Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Akpotha, and Iyabo Ojo, has been the talk of the town since its release, charting in several countries across the world.
The film which was the first African Original for Prime Video and part of Osiberu’s three-year overall deal with the streaming platform told a story of the criminal activities of Lagos Island in Lagos State and part of the entities used to tell the story was the sacred Eyo Masquerade.
However, IDU in a statement said eyo masquerade which is an indigenous culture to the Isale Eko community in lagos was illegally and scandalously depicted as being used as a camouflage, decoy and subterfuge for murderers and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko area.
“The attention of the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union ( IDU) has been drawn to the very disturbing violent images in a new movie directed by Jade Osiberu And Kemi Lala Akindoju, Executive Produced By Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, And Kola Aina; And Filmed By Greoh Studios, And Released By Amazon’s Prime Video Nigeria Called Gangs Of Lagos.
“In the movie the unique eyo masquerade indigenous to the Isale Eko community in lagos was illegally and scandalously depicted as being used as a camouflage, decoy and subterfuge for murderers and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko area,” the statement read
Tokosi noted that eyo masqurade had been part of the unique cultural heritage of the Isale Eko community of Lagos since 1854 (169 years).
He added that eyo is known as a masquerade for celebration in Lagos Island and not an instrument of gangs of criminals as illegally and scandalously portrayed in the movie
“Most importantly, the movie has brought the eyo masquerade and the people of isale eko into disrepute, who are now deemed criminally minded in the eyes of right thinking members of the society.
“The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union is very disturbed that the culture and tradition of isale eko can be wantonly exploited in such a despicable and insensitive manner by amazon and prime video to the detriment of the isale eko community.”
He said the illegal and scandalous depiction of the eyo masqurade in the movie is actionable adding that a petition had been lodged by the union with the national film and video censors board (nf&vcb) including other major stakeholders.
Part of the requests in the petition according to Tokosi was that the National Films&Censors Board withdraw the approval granted to the movie-gangs of Lagos and direct the withdrawal of the movie from all viewing channels available to the public.
“The IDU and other community stakeholders will also be considering legal action for the damage done to the culture, tradition and image of the Isale Eko community and the eyo masquerade,” he added
Apesinọla Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa Ọkalaba Ẹkun: Eyo Not Gangsters
A prince of Lagos and the Apesinọla Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa Ọkalaba Ẹkun, Uthman Shodipe, has described as reckless and disgusting the movie, Gangs of Lagos.
In a statement released by him condemning the movie, Shodipe said the “movie is an ugly, hate filled mockery of the Lagosian heritage.”
He said, “In their reckless , disgusting distortion of the sacred illustration of the Lagosian culture the film makers reduced the Eyo masquerade into a gun toting killing machine, clothing their misfit actors in the full regalia of the Eyo and with the Aga depicting some Conclaves.
“This is a total abomination. It is not only a distortion of our culture , it is a dark insidious profiling of our people as criminals and murderers rampaging across Lagos.
“The Adamu Orisha is a treasured cleansing ritual, a sacred rite performed on the passage of an Oba or for their coronation. It is also used to honor distinguished Lagosians as their final rite of transition. Since Ejilu and Malakin , the brothers of Olori Olugbani first initiated the Eyo rite in celebration of Oba Ado Keme, the Adamu Orisha has become a sacred ancestral heritage celebrated with awe and deserving adoration.
“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purificational ritual to usher in a new beginning , a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of our ancestors.”
He condemned what he called the use of the sacred Adamu Orisha Masquerade as an object of terror and loose criminality is to savage and despoil the Lagosian tradition.
“ It is vile, evil, perverse; an utterly sadistic mangling of who we are as peace loving , accommodating and enlightened people,” he said
Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the movie, Shodipe said the National Film and Video Censors Board and all appropriate authorities to ban this blatant mockery disguising as cinematography and impose the most punitive sanctions on the sponsors of this venomous ethnic profiling.
He added, “We also appeal to the Lagos state government, the Oba of Lagos Alayeluwa Oba Rilwan Akinolu, all the custodians of our tradition including the Alaworo of Adamu Orisha and Akinsiku Chief Ademola Dosunmu to rouse up in protective defense of our tradition against the ravages of these agents of condemnable pollution of all that we cherish in this sacred soil of Oba Ado Keme. Ethnic profiling is recognized as a crime against humanity by the International Court of Justice. This provision can also be invoked against these sacrilegious hate baiters.”