Big Vai apologies to all traditional religion practitioners

                Two days ago we broke the news about one of Nollyhood actor Jokotoye Oreoluwa a.k.a Bigvai who made a derogatory remarks about traditional religion practitioners in Nigeria.  The news spread like wildfire and generated a lot of response from people especially African traditional religion practitioner from around the world. Some people went to Instagram and Facebook to challenge Bigvai on his comment. 

            Earlier today, information reached us from close source that the news about the comment and our article have reached notable people in the Yoruba traditional religion council and also got to some elders in the Yoruba movie industries. Big vai was told to issue a public apology to all traditional religion practitioner.

         This morning, Bigvai contacted one of the author in Nigerian entertainer to plead his case. He further expressed that he contacted one of the pioneer of Yoruba culture in person of Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon to apologies. According to him, he was only implying that evil exist in all religion.  Maybe what he said was not what he meant, maybe what he wrote was exactly what he meant.  Be that as it may, he expressed how sorry he is now because people contacted him from different country on this very issue.

Here is a screen shot of his Facebook and Instagram below

               I quote the part where he said 'those who had an impression that he was wrong'. Not that he felt he was, I mean. The question on peoples lips is whether his apologies was sincere or was made to get people off his back. Maybe it was even made out of fear of the unknown. 

                   Inquiring mind want to know if the apology was genuine so we asked around. Respond from the people shows that whats more important was that the traditional religion people have a voice. One of the notable Ifa priest from Ibadan, Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode specifically stated that the era of tarnishing the image of traditionalist without respond is gone. 

              Whatever Bigvai motivation was for apologizing, the onus is now on him to show more tolerant and be more open minded on issues of religion.  He is a public figure, and as a public figure he need to be mindful of the kind of things he put out there.  Especially as a Yoruba actor whose career was built on the back of Yoruba movie ancestors like Duro ladipo,  Afolayan (Ade love), Ogunde , Ogungbe and Oyin Adejobi to mention but few. These elders, during their lives were known for movies that are deep rooted in Yoruba culture and religion. They may be turning in their grave right now or just shaking their heads.

        We wish him all the best in his career.

Most Traditional Religion worshipers are behind kidnapping and money rituals.

 " Most of these traditionalists are behind kidnapping. They kill people to do money ritual. So they will now kidnap more Nigerians on their proposed public holiday if granted.hmm"

The above statement was made by Jokotoye Oreoluwa popularly known as BigVai a Yoruba born actor who hails from Ogbomoso, one of the historical town in Yoruba land. The above statement was made today on a post by @instablog9ja on Instagram on the movement by Traditional Religion Council in Nigeria to have Nigeria government recognize August 20th as national holiday for traditional religion practitioners in Nigeria. 

Big Vai

                Big Vai didn't do himself any favor, he basically shot himself in the foot with his antics. Shortly after his statement was posted, it quickly generate reactions from several people who lashes out that the actor is a disgrace to the Yoruba film industry and he ought to know better.          

                 Traditional religion practitioner in Nigeria and around the world have experienced and endure age long of abuse, stigmatization, marginalization and stereotype as the devils worshiper. The movie industry in Nigeria in particular have not helped matter, they are big part of the religion propaganda in the country. The constant display of Ifa priest as the evil doers and Christianity and Islam as savior in their movies is part of the big problem. The misinformation in the stories they produce knows no bound.

What happen to freedom of religion practice as part of fundamental human right? 

What happen to religion tolerance? 

What happens to we are all worshiping the same God?

            Prominent religious leader and pioneer of Yoruba Culture like Prof Wande Abimbola and Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon among others, are force behind the promotion and protection of the ancient traditional practice of the Yoruba people against stereotype. They have fought and still fighting relentlessly to show the world that there is more to the spiritual practice than what the media, movie industries and individuals who uses the religion as disguise to perpetrate their evil deeds portrayed.
                                  The leaders in the community both home and abroad have gone through a great deal of work to be where they are today and secure little recognition, protection and respect they have today. There is high rate of religion intolerance in Nigeria and in the world today. The comments on the post on Instagram shows the stigmatization that traditional Yoruba spiritual practice faces in Africa and Nigeria in particular.

                        It is however shameful and embarrassing to see a public figure like Bigvai make derogatory comment over a trivia matter that is sensitive to a large number of people in Nigeria and abroad. Big Vai as seen in the picture below posted the below picture on his Instagram which display "Omo Yoruba Atata" , a proud Yoruba child.

 It is hypocritical of a so called proud Yoruba son be the same person to express such stereotypical comment about a spiritual system that is of Yoruba culture and practices.
                Shortly after Big Vai saw that his comment have give rise to attacks from people. He retracted by saying he was only implying that there are evil doers in all religious sect as oppose to his first statement which was straight forward.
                Nigeria celebrities need to be weary of their activities online and be conscious of the words they put out there. Most Importantly, they need to be held accountable for their actions at all time. Some celebrities seems to take their success for granted, they forget that social media is unpredictable. It can either be a tool or a weapon. Unfortunately Bigvai decided to use it as a weapon against the traditional religion practitioners in Nigeria.
               We get on social media without thinking, forgetting that once the word is out there and the damage is done it can be unforgiving at times. Irrespective of your religion belief, you must show respect to others who practice differs. Nigeria as a country have witness wars and violence because of lack of religion tolerance. This is a spectacular mess for Bigvai.

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