The Lagos government has condemned ‘Gangs of Lagos,’ claiming that the new blockbuster action film portrays the state’s culture in a derogatory light.
‘Gangs of Lagos,’ directed by Jade Osiberu and co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 7.
The film has received positive reviews in many parts of the world, but it has also received harsh criticism in Lagos.
In a statement on Wednesday, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, Lagos commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, said the film is a “mockery of the heritage of the state”.
The commissioner also frowned at Osiberu and Akindoju for insinuating the “Eyo masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.”
“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,” she said.
“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”.
According to Uzamat, the Eyo festival is rarely observed and serves as a traditional rite of passage for obas, revered chiefs, and prominent Lagosians.
The Eyo Masquerade, according to the commissioner, is also used as a symbol of honor for significant historical events.
The development comes around the same time that the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) threatened to sue the film’s producers.
“The movie scandalously portrayed the Isale Eko community and Eyo masquerade in the bad light of platforms for criminal activities,” Yomi Tokosi, the union’s chairman, said in a statement.
