By Eniola Daniel
25 October 2024 |
12:45 pm
Just lately, Nollywood actor and movie producer Faithia Williams, also called Fathia Balogun, introduced Efunroye: The Unicorn, a film. The announcement raised eyebrows amongst many Nigerians, with outstanding critics like David Hundeyin objecting that the movie may set off feelings and open contemporary wounds about slavery and Nigeria’s darkish previous. Hundeyin acknowledged that slavery was accepted…
Just lately, Nollywood actor and movie producer Faithia Williams, also called Fathia Balogun, introduced Efunroye: The Unicorn, a film.
The announcement raised eyebrows amongst many Nigerians, with outstanding critics like David Hundeyin objecting that the movie may set off feelings and open contemporary wounds about slavery and Nigeria’s darkish previous.
Hundeyin acknowledged that slavery was accepted throughout Efunroye’s time, and viewing a slave dealer as inherently evil entails complicated logic. Nevertheless, he argued that utilizing the defence that one can not choose 1860 by Twenty first-century requirements is akin to white individuals in South Africa saying that apartheid wasn’t that dangerous.
He additional alleged that some individuals rewrite historical past to swimsuit globally insignificant political pursuits. He warned that after people try and rewrite the whole historical past of Africa and the African diaspora to guard a neighborhood determine, individuals will reject it in giant numbers.
Different Nigerians argued {that a} movie about Efunroye Tinubu is as problematic as imagining how Jewish Germans would really feel if a German filmmaker created a supposed inventive interpretation titled Adolf Hitler: The Unicorn or Heinrich Himmler: The Unicorn.
Who Was Efunroye Tinubu?
Efunroye Tinubu (1810–1887), also called Ẹfúnpọ̀róyè Ọ̀ṣuntinúbú, was a strong Yoruba feminine aristocrat, service provider, and slave dealer in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria.
She was politically and economically influential in Lagos in the course of the reigns of Obas Adele, Dosunmu, Oluwole, and Akitoye, serving to the latter two achieve political energy. She married Oba Adele and used his connections to ascertain a profitable commerce community with European retailers, dealing in slaves, tobacco, salt, cotton, palm oil, coconut oil, and firearms. She allegedly owned over 360 private slaves.
Following the British victory within the Discount of Lagos, the British eliminated Oba Kosoko from the throne and changed him with Akitoye, who was backed by Tinubu. Akitoye signed the 1852 Treaty with Nice Britain, which required Lagosians to abolish the Atlantic slave commerce. Nevertheless, Tinubu secretly continued her dealings in slavery with Brazilian and European retailers, with Akitoye’s consent.
British consul Benjamin Campbell denounced Tinubu’s financial dominance and covert slave-trading actions, which led to conflicts between Tinubu, the British, and rival Lagos retailers. After Oba Dosunmu ascended the throne, Campbell pressured him to exile Tinubu to Abeokuta. Whereas in exile, she provided munitions to Abeokuta throughout its conflict with the Kingdom of Dahomey, incomes the title Iyalode of the Egbas.
She died in Abeokuta in 1887. Tinubu Sq. in Lagos, which options her statue, is called after her, and one other statue of her stands in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Fathia’s Protection
The actress stated the reactions generated by the announcement of Efunroye: The Unicorn underscore how passionate Nigerians are about their historical past and nation. “I’m deeply grateful to each my loyal followers and non-fans for the overwhelming help this challenge is receiving.
“With over six million views on my publish, I don’t take your help as a right—your curiosity and suggestions are actually appreciated.
“Nevertheless, the fervour and feelings surrounding this challenge, particularly on Twitter, whereas inspiring, have led to some misconceptions that I wish to make clear.
“Firstly, Efunroye: The Unicorn isn’t a promotional piece meant to glorify or whitewash a divisive historic determine like Madam Efunroye Tinubu, nor does it carry any political intent or affiliation. This movie is solely a piece of inventive interpretation and storytelling.
“As a filmmaker, my aim is to deliver Nigerian tales to life on display, and that is no exception. The film goals to current Madam Tinubu’s life in a balanced and nuanced method, showcasing her triumphs, challenges, and complicated legacy. It’s not an try and reshape or glorify historical past.
“Like all historic figures, Madam Tinubu’s story is layered, and this movie goals to seize each her strengths and controversies.
“I wish to emphasise that Efunroye: The Unicorn is, firstly, a inventive expression meant to entertain, educate, and spark considerate conversations. It’s not a documentary or political assertion.
“As with every inventive work, it attracts from historical past but in addition takes inventive liberties to make the story extra participating for contemporary audiences.
“I imagine that via this movie, we are able to discover vital elements of our historical past. Nevertheless, it’s important to grasp that it stays a piece of fiction impressed by actual occasions.
“To make clear additional, Efunroye: The Unicorn has not but been filmed. The challenge is at present in its growth and pre-production phases. My staff and I are dedicated to making sure that this story is instructed authentically and impactfully.
“This can be a vital challenge, and we’re working diligently to make sure it involves life with the care and a focus it deserves.
“I deeply respect the fervour this film has stirred, and I hope that when it’s launched, viewers will strategy it with an open thoughts and respect it because the murals it was at all times supposed to be.”
Hundeyin’s Response
Hundeyin argued, “Describing somebody as ‘a ruler who rewrote historical past’ and ‘a Unicorn’—each optimistic descriptors denoting energy, reward, and honour—creates backlash for a purpose. You may’t declare that you just didn’t intend to glorify or whitewash a divisive historic determine when that’s precisely what the language suggests.
“And our individuals will settle for it as a result of, as soon as once more, English is difficult. Aside from blatantly glorifying and whitewashing this individual, how precisely is Efunroye Tinubu divisive? Who is split about who she was and what she represented as a slave dealer?
“By this logic, are we now going to have King Leopold II: The Unicorn, Adolf Hitler: The Unicorn, or Clifford Orji: The Unicorn? The place does this nonsense cease? The place is the road drawn? Does this society haven’t any requirements?
“Who requested for this story? If one wished a Nigerian historic ‘lady boss’ story, there was Queen Amina of Zazzau, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, or feminine Òrìṣà. There are numerous tales that have to be instructed earlier than a foreigner will get his fingers on them and casts Cuba Gooding Jr. and Taraji P. Henson.
“Why, of all of the attainable tales to inform, was the choice made to create a interval piece a few slave dealer?
“Do we now have no historical past or tales past slavery and slavery-related themes? And if we completely wanted to inform a slave dealer’s story, why on earth name her The Unicorn?”
Bimbo Thomas’s Response
Responding to the controversy, Nigerian actress and movie producer Bimbo Thomas stated, “She has her causes for making such a film, and I feel everybody has the correct to create what they need and when they need.
“That is storytelling. There are twists and turns in storytelling, so we don’t know the angle she’s coming from as a filmmaker. It is probably not the angle persons are anticipating. We are able to’t absolutely criticise the movie till it’s produced.”
