Sons and daughters of Badagry in Lagos have kicked against a new Nollywood movie titled 'Badagry: I Bad I Gree', scheduled for release today.

The flyers for the movie, directed by Davidson Izegaegbe, depict violence, attracting pressure from the Badagry people who believe it has the tendency to portray their ancestral land in a negative light.

In a statement signed by one Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, the people of the land demand that 'Badagry: I Bad I Gree' must only be released with a different title.

Alabi-Hundeyin stated that the claim that the movie was shot in Badagry gives the producers no right to name it after the land.

He also revealed that other Badagry people have written to the authorities against the movie.

He said, "Dead on arrival!

"My attention was drawn to the ugly title of the film below. At first, I thought it was a prank. Then I started seeing it as a sponsored promo. I can't believe one creatively shallow producer will just sit somewhere and choose to malign the image and dignity of one of the most historically precious pieces of land on the continent of Africa. A serene land of peace,e which had spread its mat of welcome to people from all over the globe.

"There were three options I weighed. To get an injunction or petition the NVCB. The body is charged with protecting the dignity of creative output in the country. Rather, I chose a 3rd option, which is to make a personal call to Dr Shaibu Husseini, the DG of that body. A man I had known for decades as an addict of the best of professional practice the creative industry in this country. He immediately gave me some cheering news. That a group of nine people from Badagry has submitted a petition on the film tittle to his office. I didn't ask who they were, but whoever they are, I was proud of them as protectors of Badagry's image. The DG said he immediately got in touch with the producers, who claimed they named it so bc it was shot in Badagry. What a very unprofessional excuse. Many of the films depicting Islamic conflicts are shot in the desert area of California. I also reminded Dr Shaibu of the incident when some people used the revered Eyo masquerade to depict armed robbers, how the people of Isale Eko rose in indignation and got it withdrawn. Dr Hussein needed little convincing. Here's a man who grew out of the best of theatre tradition in Nigeria. From being a pioneer of the National troupe birthed by PA Ogunde in Ososa. A prolific writer of the creativity page of The Guardian, and a member of the Committee vetting and recommending outstanding Films made in Nigeria for the American Oscars! He immediately took the decision that the classification, which must precede release, scheduled for tomorrow, 4th July, is cancelled.

"The only way that film will ever get released in this country is if they change the title. The content is a crime story that has nothing to do with Badagry. The contribution of the children of Badagry to Nigeria's creative and tourism culture is sometimes underestimated. Pa Olatunji from Ajido is the first Nigerian to win a Grammy. My humble self is the youngest Nigerian to direct a film on Celluloid at age 30 , 42 years ago. In fact, my film Iyawo Alhaji, 1992, was the first ever censored by the NVCB. So we have so many sons of the soil who have done exploits in all areas of the creative culture. Producers from anywhere in the world are welcome by the people to utilise the serene and breathtaking scenic uniqueness of Badagry for films and all multimedia projects. But while you are at it, do not malign and trample on the image and branding of the land and its people.

"It is settled!"

ASA