Movie Review: Egba Omolisabi Descendants Critique Lateef Adedimeji’s New Movie “Lisabi”
The President of the Club of Egba Omolisabi Descendants, Sowunmi Olanrewaju Ebenezer, has expressed regret that Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji omitted certain key points in his recent movie, “Lisabi”.
The Club President stated that Adedimeji’s film neglected to include important aspects of Lisabi’s story, specifically his origin from Itoku and residence in Igbein, saying that the omissions detract from the accuracy and completeness of the movie, which tells the story of Lisabi.
Sowunmi, the Ogidi Omo Egba in his review on the movie equally commended Adedimeji for filming the legacy of the fabled Yoruba hero, Lisabi whose life made a lasting impression not only in Abeokuta but Nigeria at large.
He equally commended Adedimeji for the high-quality production, particularly in terms of costume design and the expertise of the cast. However, noted that the storyline is incomplete and lacks certain crucial elements that are essential to the narrative.
According to him “In the story, certain key points must not be omitted. When Lisabi was ready for his own ‘Aaro, he instructed all members to return to their respective towns and to kill any llari (Oyo Empire’s tax collectors) stationed there. Akodu from Oba was the first to kill an llari, beheading him out of fear. He then took the severed head to Igbein to present it to Lisabi.”
He explained that the story is so well cultured, “In the story of Lisabi, several important events show his key role in freeing the Egba people from the harsh rule of the Oyo Empire. When Lisabi was ready to start his ‘Aaro’ (a communal work group that he secretly turned into a resistance movement), he gathered his people and gave them clear instructions. He told the Egba people to return to their towns and quietly get rid of any Ilari, the feared tax collectors of the Oyo Empire, who represented the empire’s control over the Egba.
There is a person called Akodu. In a brave move, Akodu killed Ilari and cut off his head, a powerful sign of resistance against the Oyo Empire’s oppression. Afraid of what might happen after his actions, Akodu brought the head to Lisabi at Igbein.
This act caused the conflict between Oyo and Egba. When the Oyo Empire heard about the rebellion, they prepared to march on Egba towns to stop it. Knowing the empire would strike back, the Egba leaders, guided by Lisabi, made plans to protect their people. They hid all the women and children in safe places away from the fighting to keep them safe during the war.
Also Lisabi is from Itoku, he was living in Igbein at the time, where he played a leading role in organizing the resistance. His leadership brought the Egba people together and gave them the courage to stand up against the powerful Oyo Empire, marking a key moment in their fight for freedom.
This incident occurred just before the Oyo Empire waged war against the Egba. As the Oyo forces approached, the Egba people hid their women and children in a secure location to protect them.