The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, has stated that Lagos is a cultural melting pot, amid calls for the rejection of an event believed to be a cultural appropriation of Yoruba culture and heritage.
The event is being organised by an artist, Uzo Njoku, who many believe is trying to erase the Yoruba culture and heritage from which her event borrowed.
Several Yoruba socio-cultural groups have written petitions to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture against the event. Online petitions have also been signed, surpassing the required ten thousand signatures for an apology from the artist.
While responses to the actions were awaited, a video surfaced on Sunday showing Idris Aregebe, who serves as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s adviser, holding a meeting with Njoku and blogger Noble Igwe.
This enraged many Netizens, especially after they saw past social media posts from Njoku and Noble Igwe, which they found offensive to the Yoruba ethnicity and leaders.
Noble Igwe had in the past shared on X, “Exactly what we discussed at our last Umunna meeting. I’m withdrawing my kids from their school because their head of school is Yoruba. I closed my account at Zenith Bank because of their head of marketing. It’s really tough dealing with this alliance.”
Njoku had also shared, “Y’all, I trekked from Ikoyi to VI with my suitcases. That’s my driver. Thunder punish Tinibu”
After seeing the social media posts, many Netizens wondered why Sanwo-Olu’s aide, who has been appointed to oversee tourism, culture, and arts, would be seen entertaining people with such a mindset, especially when cultural appropriation is in question.
Reacting, Aregbe issued a statement saying he is committed to fostering a cultural diversity that makes Lagos a true cultural melting pot.
He said, “As an Omolúàbí Yoruba and a public servant, my role is not to fuel controversies but to provide diplomatic guidance and solutions that address concerns while ensuring that the dignity and cultural values of the Yorubas are not undermined.
“I would like to reiterate that our culture is sacred and enduring, and I remain committed to promoting and protecting it while fostering the peaceful cultural diversity that makes Lagos a true cultural melting pot.
“Let us not be divided by misinformation or hasty assumptions. Dialogue and understanding remain the best path to strengthening our unity as a people.
“God bless Lagos State, God bless Lovers of Lagos and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Reacting to the statement, an X USER, @Momony1, said, “You end up saying nothing.”
@DeeOneAyekooto said, “Lagos being an investment destination in Africa is open to reasonable, decent and respectable visitors from within and outside Nigeria; however, LAGOS reserves absolute right to its cultural heritage.”
@AEAdeola said, “Hmmm, we have a big political and cultural problem in Yorubaland. Elédùmarè gba wa.”
@Mautiin01 said, “This one dey play smart boy. Man do C Ronaldo. He didn’t address the issue one bit.”
@de_generalnoni said, “Study the room, bro. This post looks like pandering…. Are you saying people who play ethnic ba!ting are allowed to play v!ctims?”
@street_proff said, “You did not address the questions raised. Do you, or do you not, approve of her appropriation of our cultural values? First, she has openly abused and condemned the person and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even going so far as to call on thunder to strike him. Do you agree with her assertion that President Tinubu is incompetent and deserving of such condemnation?
“Second, do you consent to the persistent misspelling of Ówànbè as Owambe, despite repeated efforts to correct her?
Third, do you approve of her imprinting Igbo words onto a revered Yoruba traditional attire—the Adire?
“Fourth, do you condone her deliberate and malicious omission of crediting the Yoruba people as the original custodians of the cultural items she intends to use? Fifth, it has been alleged that your public association with her stems from your personal relationship with your partner, who is Igbo. Is this true? These are the issues. These are the questions.”
