The custodians of Eyo masquerade in Lagos, under the aegis of Isale Eko Descendants Union, have raised alarm over the portrayal of Eyo masquerade in a new movie, Gangs of Lagos.

The new movie, which is currently enjoying quality streaming on Amazon’s Prime, was produced by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju.

In a release signed by chairman of the union, Yomi Tokosi, and made available to B=Nollytrailers, the custodians of the masquerade, which has become a cultural symbol of Lagos State, frowned at depicting it as a criminal decoy all in the name of art and commerce.

ALSO READ: ‘Itesiwaju Oje’ Colourful display of masquerades as Lagos marks World Egungun Festival (Photos, Video)

Read full statement below.

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.

FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT THE EYO MASQUERADE HAS BEEN PART OF THE UNIQUE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE ISALE EKO COMMUNITY OF LAGOS SINCE 1854 (169 YEARS) AND THE EYO IS KNOWN AS A MASQUERADE FOR CELEBRATION IN LAGOS ISLAND AND NOT AN INSTRUMENT OF GANGS OF CRIMINALS AS ILLEGALLY AND SCANDALOUSLY PORTRAYED. 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.

THE ILLEGAL AND SCANDALOUS DEPICTION OF THE EYO MASQURADE IN THE MOVIE IS ACTIONABLE AND A PETITION HAS BEEN LODGED BY THE IDU WITH THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NF&VCB) INCLUDING OTHER MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS.

THE IDU HAS AMONG OTHER THINGS REQUESTED THAT THE NF&CB 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.

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The Eyo Festival, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, Nigeria. In modern times, it is presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist event and due to its history, is traditionally performed on Lagos Island.

Adamu Orisha Play