Gangs of Lagos film, a mockery of our heritage- Lagos govt
The Lagos State Government has criticised the producers of the “Gangs of Lagos” film/series for “cultural misrepresentation” and derogatory portrayal of the state’s culture.
As a response from the state government, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, stated that the Ministry, as the governing body and guardian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film/series as an insult to the Heritage of Lagos.
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Earlier, Prince Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu and the cultural group Apesinla y ba Alakt Pupa kalaba kun had condemned the film and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Shodipe-Dosunmu referred to the film as “ethnic profiling, sacrilege, and outrageous garbage.”
The commissioner, meanwhile, expressed her displeasure with the film’s promoters, Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, for portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain dressed in traditional regalia.
Instructively, the Eyo Festival is rarely observed and only occurs as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs, and illustrious Lagos natives, whereas the Eyo Masquerade is used as a symbol of honour for such individuals and significant historical events.
According to Akinbile-Yussuf, “We are of the opinion that the production of ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is extremely unprofessional and deceptive, and that its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intent to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.
“It is an unfair characterization of a people and culture as barbaric and evil. It depicts a murderous gang rampaging throughout the state.”
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The state government asserted that “the Adamu Orisha, also known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only occurs as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs, and distinguished Lagosians.”
Akinbile-Yussuf emphasised that “the Eyo Masquerade is also a symbol of honour for significant historical events.”
“It signifies sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a summoning of new light, while honouring the Lagosians’ ancestors.”
Lagosians are not gangsters, according to Eyo guard Shodipe-Dosunmu
In a previous statement, Shodipe-Dosunmu described the film as an irresponsible, revolting perversion of the sacred symbol of Lagos culture.
According to him, a film is currently being promoted by a person named Jade Osiberu and another person named Kemi Akindoju. The supposed film is an ugly, hate-filled parody of Lagosian culture.
“In their reckless, repugnant distortion of the sacred illustration of the Lagosian culture, the film makers transformed the Eyo masquerade into a gun-wielding killing machine, dressing their misfit actors in the full regalia of the Eyo and with the Aga representing some Conclaves.
“This is a complete outrage. It is not only a distortion of our culture, but also an insidious dark portrayal of our people as criminals and murderers rampaging throughout Lagos.
“The Adamu Orisha is a revered cleansing ceremony, a sacred rite performed upon the death or coronation of an Oba.
“It is also used to honour notable Lagosians as their last rite of passage.
“It is vile, evil, and perverse; a completely sadistic perversion of who we are as peace-loving, tolerant, and enlightened individuals.
“We demand the immediate removal of this sacrilegious and offensive garbage.
“We demand that the National Film and Video Censors Board and all relevant authorities ban this blatant parody posing as cinematography and impose the harshest penalties on the sponsors of this vile racial profiling.
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