Lagos State Government has revealed its displeasure with the promoters of the “Gangs of Lagos” film/series over what it called “cultural misrepresentation” and portraying the culture of Lagos in a derogatory manner.
While reacting, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the Ministry, as the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film/series as a mockery of the Heritage of Lagos.
Recall that Prince Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu, the Apesinọla Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa Ọkalaba Ẹkun, a cultural group, had earlier condemned the film and called for its instant withdrawal.
Shodipe-Dosunmu described it as “ethnic profiling, sacrilegious and outrageous trash.”
Meanwhile, Akinbile-Yussuf expressed her disappointment with Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, the promoters of the film for portraying Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while wearing the full traditional regalia.
She said: “We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.
“It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State”.
The state government maintained that “the Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.”
Akinbile-Yussuf, stated that “the Eyo Masquerade is equally used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events.
“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of the ancestors of Lagosians.”
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