The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, has strongly criticized the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’ for its portrayal of the Eyo as criminal gangs engaging in brutal murders and terrorizing innocent citizens.
In a three-page letter addressed to Amazon Prime Nigeria and Greoh Limited on June 28, 2023, the monarch expressed his deep concerns about the film and urged the immediate removal of all references to the Eyo from the movie.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Highlighting the damaging impact of the film’s depiction, Oba Akiolu stated that it has tarnished the reputation of the Eyo brand by associating it with acts of terror, chaos, and murder.
The monarch further asserted that the movie’s portrayal could also lead to doubts about the authenticity and cultural significance of the Eyo, deterring potential tourists and visitors from experiencing this cherished cultural heritage event.
Oba Akiolu accused the film producers of exploiting the complete attire, indistinguishable image, and traditional appearance of the Eyo, which are integral parts of the cultural heritage of the indigenous people of Lagos, for their commercial gain without obtaining proper permission or acknowledging the authority of the Oba of Lagos.
Additionally, the monarch alleged that the film violated the rights of the indigenous people of Lagos as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.
He emphasized that this declaration safeguards the indigenous right to preserve and promote cultural traditions, including visual and performing arts, ceremonies, and other aspects of cultural heritage.
In light of these grievances, Oba Akiolu demanded an immediate end to the use and portrayal of the Eyo in the film, citing the violation of indigenous intellectual property rights and the defilement of sacred rites.
As a condition for peaceful resolution, the monarch instructed the film producers to promptly remove all references to the Adimu Orisa – the Eyo – from ‘Gangs of Lagos.’
Furthermore, within a period of 14 days, the Oba of Lagos called for the submission of a compensatory proposal from the film producers to address the infringement of intellectual property rights related to the cultural heritage that has been exploited for commercial purposes without proper authorization.
