The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Lagos State, Idris Aregbe, has been warned against approving the exploitation of Yoruba culture and heritage by people they claim resent it.
This was after a video surfaced on social media showing him meeting with blogger Noble Igwe and artist Uzo Njoku. The meeting followed several petitions written by different Yoruba socio-cultural organisations to the Commissioner of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, warning against a planned event, titled ‘Owambe Lagos Party,’ scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 22, 2025, to January 24, 2026.
The petitions were written by Think Yoruba First (TYF) and Omoluabi Parapo Conservative against the event organised by Uzo Njoku, whom they accused of cultural appropriation.
In a post on X, TYF Secretary General, Bukola O. Adeniji, revealed that Commissioner Benson-Awoyinka had received their petition.
“We wish to inform the general public that Hon. Toke Benson has officially received our petition regarding the cultural appropriation of Yoruba Adiir, and she has assured us that the matter will be duly addressed by her office,” Adeniji said.
This was as he urged Yoruba people not to “relent in protecting and preserving our cultural heritage for generations yet unborn.”
The organisation, which berated Njoku for scheduling her exhibition to coincide with Lagos State’s planned Yoruba Week, urged her to live by her own words on X – “Respect the culture and values when the owners of the culture tell you that you are wrong.”
While the Yoruba organisations and concerned parties awaited an official statement from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, they were appalled by a video of Njoku and Noble Igwe meeting Idris Aregbe, who serves as a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Noble Igwe captioned the video on X: “Had a good meeting with Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture & @uzoart.”
Displeased by the video, TYF’s Public Relations Officer, Ogbeni Oluwole Lewis, warned Aregbe against approving Njoku’s event because he risks being reminded of his action someday.
Using the handle @Montero1016, he said, “Dear Idris Aregbe @IdrisConnecting, do not become another GRV coz u are one step away from doing that. Yoruba culture is bigger than ur boss, ur party, Asiwaju & even Great Awo. If u approve of the pilfering of our culture and heritage, we will put u in the same WhatsApp group as GRV. It may take a few years, but we will remind u about this someday. Forgiveness ended with our parents’ generation!”
He added, “Yorubas must be the ones telling their story and profiting from exports of their culture. Others should face their less famous cultures and leave us alone. I hope he has the guts to do that or he’s tilting towards a Chinedu-esque career!”
also displeased by the meeting, an Osun Monarch, Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, HRM OBA OMOTOOYOSIL M.AKINLEYE, lamented that njoku Labelled Yoruba Culture as Lagos Culture.
He shared on X, “Lagos culture doesnt exist, and Miss Uzo from far east is not going to create one for us. Yoruba culture or nothing.”
In another post, he said, “Those who associated themselves with Yoruba haters will never be great on this land. We will remember your name and your fathers name and awon alale o ni gbe yin.”
On his part, @CreativeAbbey1 warned Sanwo-Olu’s aide against playing politics with Yoruba culture, saying, “@IdrisConnecting Listen to what they are telling you. Our culture is not something you will use to play politics or use as entertainment for your friends. Whatever decision you are making, please make it right because youve got all eyes on you.”
@adenlevicky said, “You met with two individuals with deep-seated resentment toward the Yoruba people, alongside someone determined to misappropriate our culture. Don’t allow them to derail your promising political career and tarnish your reputation.”
@bobowajah said, “I hope you don’t join the outsiders to carry out their revived version of Lagos history. It will ruin your political journey and stain your boss’s name.”
