Nigerian rapper Vector has been bashed by a cross-section of Nigerians on social media for criticising the portrayal of the ‘Eyo Masquerade’ in the movie “Gangs of Lagos”.
The Jade Osiberu film which was released on Prime Video on April 7, 2023, with a star-studded cast including Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Akpotha, and Iyabo Ojo, has been the talk of the town since its release, charting in several countries across the world.
The film tells a story of the criminal activities of Lagos Island in Lagos State and part of the elements used to tell the story was the sacred Eyo Masquerade.
Vector, who was born and bred in the Lafiaji part of Lagos Island, established that the movie would have still been good even if the Eyo was not used the way it was in the blockbuster movie.
Taking to his Instagram on Wednesday, the rapper educated the public about the Eyo Masquerade which he said is known for peace and prosperity.
He wrote: “I was born at the Onikan health center, lafiaji, Lagos island and all i have seen during the Eyo festival every time they’re out is, they stop by at ours and prayed wishing prosperity for my family.
“Most of our friends like the Olugbani’s who are direct Eyo Ologede gatekeepers ( @hypeengine_mcbalo ) are not gun shooting criminals using culture as a disguise.
“As teenagers, i’ve had friends (underneath the regalia )chase me with the staff ( Opambata ) because i knew they would take advantage and show me shege lol.
“My idea of what the Bajulaiye is is totally different from murderous criminality.
“Going by what the term gang means, it is disrespectful to define the Eyo in the same light.
“In light of what i have experienced about Eyo, i wish prosperity to the hands that have labored although the movie would still be good without referring to Eyo as a (criminal) “gang” in lagos.
“There is a reason they say “mo yo fun e, mo yo fun araa mi”
Vector’s stance has since generated different reactions form some social media users with many bashing him for crtiticising how the ‘Eyo masquerade’ was depicted in the movie.
See some reactions below:
Nigeria is full of hypocrites. When Americans make movies and depict Africa without water, you people complain.
A movie was made about Peter Obi being stingy, all of you were angry. You said the movie misrepresented obi. Why didn't you guys think it was fiction?
Hypocrites!!! https://t.co/rBpuuOxoLr
— ochion (@ochion5) April 13, 2023
Eyo was portrayed as a criminal gang?! Nah, some of you are stupid. https://t.co/QA1SZZuRrO
— Ms. Asa Nwa (Chi Baby)????️???? (@AfricanCeleb) April 13, 2023
It’s quite sad that as an artist you can’t separate real life from fiction. Disgraceful even https://t.co/CvhdRgTlJr
— Bizzaire (@Kchi_2k) April 13, 2023
Walahi, the Nigerian film industry is trying fr.
This faux morality check that they have to face all the time is tiring. They did not refer to the Eyo as a criminal organization but see the way a movie adaptation is making all of you foam in the mouth. https://t.co/iOk7ohIHxy— human. (@ErinmaIbe) April 13, 2023
You dey fall people hand sha.
Because normally men dey reason you as deep thinker.
Is there any movie where a disclaimer isn't given that characters are fictitious and not aimed to be real? https://t.co/zwYBOaijMa
— Gabriel Eikwu (@gabriel_eikwu) April 13, 2023
You are supposed to be intelligent and different from the pack. Sigh!! https://t.co/3M9mBP5L0p
— Chibueze (@Chi_Bu_Eze_) April 13, 2023
But in every movie, criminals can disguise as anything — military, imam, Nun, revd father, traditionalist, masquerade etc. to perpetuate evil.
It doesn't mean those listed entities are evil. Its just a movie. It's not tarnishing Eyo culture https://t.co/W1xMjUEyPy
— Chimera (@Jero_obem) April 13, 2023
This is so disappointing giving that he has told tales and dropped imaginary bars all his life. See as you dey do? ???? https://t.co/RhzzJjNCmb
— ALÁKORÍ ÈKÓ ⚡️ (@gboyeezy) April 13, 2023
I can list at least 10 movies that depicted Catholics in bad light. I mean, one was even done about the pope, but we clearly aren’t outraged because WE KNOW IT’S JUST A MOVIE!
You used to be one intelligent human mehn! https://t.co/d1ObdmHPaU
— Cross˚ (@Elkrosmediahub) April 13, 2023
If we are to use this logic then the police would also complain cos they have also been portrayed in a bad light in some movies. It’s fiction. They even put a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie saying the characters do not rep real life peeps. https://t.co/iiPRuVzk6R
— Ebuka (@iamruchees1) April 13, 2023
