Uzo Njoku, the artist accused of cultural appropriation, has slammed the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for endorsing a petition against her Owambe Exhibition.

MyNigeria reported that outrage arose after Njoku shared a flyer and promo video of her upcoming event, with many accusing her of cultural appropriation.

Despite multiple requests and petitions for her to reconsider her actions, which are seen as stealing from Yoruba culture and heritage, Njoku doubled down, leading to calls for protests against the event.

Reacting, the Oba of Lagos, in a petition, said he is keen to avoid any form of disturbance or unrest within Lagos State and its environs.

The petition was forwarded to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and copies were sent to the ministry's Commissioner, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, as well as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe.

It read in part, "Alaiyeluwa has instructed that you take appropriate action on this matter, as he is keen to avoid any form of disturbance or unrest within Lagos State and its environs.

"Furthermore, Alaiyeluwa respectfully requests that your ministry review existing policies, rules, and regulations governing public exhibitions and cultural showcases. That will help ensure that this event, as well as future events of this nature, are subject to proper approval and oversight by your ministry before they are allowed to take place.

"Copies of this letter will be forwarded to the Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; the Area Commander, Area "A" Command Headquarters, Lion Building and the petitioner, Mr Olanrewaju Eboda Olakotan (President) and Mr Oduola Omotola (Secretary) of the Yoruba Youth Council for their information and record-keeping."

After the letter from the monarch went viral, one X user, @PeterClem1989, asked Njoku if it is "true that Oba Akiolu of Lagos rejected your request about the owambe exhibition.'

In response, she said, "You can't reject a request that I never asked him permission for."

When asked about the event, she said it will hold, adding that "Preparations are going well. I have a meeting with a Virtual Reality company who wants to create an online version for people that can’t make the exhibition."

ASA