In the wake of the untimely demise and funeral ceremony of the late organizing secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Toba Ajiboye, who is better known as Toba Ijaya, social media users are discussing the theme and narrative that played out in the 2023 Nollywood film, Gangs of Lagos.
Specifically, the moment Ijaya’s daughter spoke warmly of her father at the funeral ceremony raised eyebrows and concerns. In her non-colloquial accent, it was apparent that she didn’t grow up in Nigeria, and this sparked reactions from social media users who reside in Lagos State, especially vicinities such as Fadeyi, Mushin, and some parts of Surulere.
ALSO READ: Inside Soso Soberekon’s Traditional Wedding to His Lover [ VIDEO]
While the young lady described her father as a superhero and an instrumental figure in making her an established woman, social media pundits mentioned that her father is one of the people who have instigated conundrums, chaos, and pandemonium across various parts of Lagos State and other states in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. This just explains the volte-face of Nigerian leaders and how they are apathetic about the well-being of their wards; instead, they send their children overseas and turn other innocent kids into political thugs, vagabonds, and never-do-wells.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE:
Gangs of Lagos: Mirror of a Failed Society
The movie, Gangs of Lagos, has been described as one of the best movies to emerge from the Nigerian cinema in recent times. Unlike other modern movies that are focused on the themes of romance, career, and gender equality, Gangs of Lagos delved deep into the dark aspect of the political sphere.
Specifically, the film explains the nefarious games that unravel in the nighttime0 Commentsoliticians and members of their cabal do not see their fellow citizens, wards, and young lads as human beings deserving of a good life; instead, they are pawns in their vicious game. The objective of the politician or the political thug is to do their dirty work and discard them when they are irrelevant or die in the line of action.
Meanwhile, these same leaders send their offspring overseas to study and have a better life, as seen in the case of the late NURTW organizing secretary, Toba Ijaya.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE:
What Happened in the Movie?
In 2023, Nigerian movie producer and scriptwriter Jade Osiberu released Gangs of Lagos, a blockbuster movie that sheds light on the harsh reality of the events that take place in the underworld of Lagos State.
Set primarily in Lagos Island, a densely populated neighbourhood in Lagos, the film follows the story of Obalola Akande (played by Tobi Bakre), a bright, promising young man who became entangled in the crossfire of being used as a political thug or leaving the life behind to become a cybersecurity personnel; however, due to how he has been raised alongside his childhood friends, Pana/Ify (played by Chike) and Gift (Adesua Etomi-Wellington), Obalola had no choice than to wait behind and fight for his place in the hierarchy of power.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE:
Genevieve Nnaji: The Curious Case of Nollywood Actress’s Mental Illness in 2022
Gangs of Lagos: Story of the Slaves and the Slave Masters
The film explores how poverty, political patronage, gang culture, and cycles of violence shape their lives.
Young men such as Obalola, Ify, Terrible, Nino, and Kazeem were exploited by the slave masters. They were introduced into the system to carry out the duties of their masters as political thugs; meanwhile, the children of the taskmasters are taken overseas to live a better life.
Reflecting the vicious cycle in the Nigerian political sphere, the slaves are the young people who are trapped by poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunities. They are often manipulated into doing dangerous work for others.
Ify, one of Obalola’s childhood friends, was brutally murdered after failing to kill a barber at the request of his puppet master, Kazeem Olaotan. His death would instigate the gang war that would take place in Isale Eko, leaving several casualties in the gory scene.
In the end, this shows that young lads find it tedious to leave the nefarious debacle of being a political thug. While some seek freedom like Ify, others thirst for power like Kazeem Olaotan; however, attaining both objectives despite being on different spectrums of the parallel line comes with a price.
Meanwhile, the slave masters are the powerful political figures, gang leaders, and elites who exploit these young men for personal gain, using them as instruments during elections and criminal activities.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE:
Netflix’s The Polygamist Stars, Gugu Gumede, S’Dumo Mtshali, feature on CNN African Voice
Conclusion
The film suggests that many who appear powerful were themselves once victims of the same system, creating a cycle where the oppressed can become oppressors.
In the end, the only way out of the heinous gang culture is either to take someone’s life or to take your own life. The vicious cycle never concludes; interestingly, even if you eventually become a leader in various parastatals such as NURTW, your life can still be cut short. The game has no conclusion.
Below is a screenshot of the conversation between young Obalola and Teniola. While Teniola will depart for the United Kingdom to further her studies, Obalola will remain within the shack of Isale Eko to battle it out as a political thug to her father, Kazeem Olaotan.
Read the conversation below:
