Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga is big on morals
The plot of Omo Ghetto: The Saga revolves around the thrilling character of Lefty aka Salewa. It’s one of the Nollywood actions and adventure genres, an exciting movie to watch. It is also a Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa and JJC Skillz film. Omo Ghetto gained popularity for its intriguing storyline, and because it is evidence of real society and palsy-walsy circumstances.
The blockbuster movie mirrors life on the streets of Nigeria. It exhorts living in the slums, while actively revealing the contrasting lifestyles of the identical twins, Ayomide and Salewa in which Jenifa plays the role of Ayomide, a sophisticated and polished model-like sister and Salewa is the rugged tout and leader of Askamaya Bees, also played by Jenifa. This distinction emphasises that no two people are the same, not even identical twins.
Despite her life in the ghetto, Lefty expresses aversion and discontent towards vices like drug peddling. She laments her displeasure after seeing a 14-year-old getting chased for carrying drugs. However, as ‘Omo Ghetto’, she must respect street codes and not rat the boy out to the police.
Omo Ghetto: The Saga trailer. Credit: YouTube
Conversely, the condemnation of vices as presented in this movie is only half-baked and sketchy. Lefty and her gang – Busty, Chomi Choko, and Nikky engage actively in criminal activities or roll with others who do. From illegally demanding money for territory, incessant fights, and moving with yahoo boys, numerous crimes continue to unfold.
To further heighten the theme of corruption, the police force, under the leadership of Officer Dede carries out illegal activities. Stone, who is responsible for phone theft and internet fraud, is not brought to book because of his rapport with the policeman. Instead, the people who can’t afford to pay bribes are remanded for the crimes of others. This is a realistic portrayal of a terrible society where people’s stomachs churn from fear at the sound of the word popo.
On the flip side, Ayomide is enthusiastic about value creation, family, and positive impact. She is in touch with the educated population and likes to impart knowledge through her speeches. Her empathy eventually lands her in trouble. In her struggle to bring Salewa home, she gets abducted and a ransom must be paid to Stone’s group to fast-track her release. This is the climax of the plot as it sets the grounds for more intense action.
We become familiar with the fact that drugs, prostitution, violence, corruption, and many other vices are intertwined. They are related in the manner of ‘cause and effect’, and they rule the trenches. Relationships and groups in these areas are built on trust or the lack of it. The more connected you are, the more streetwise.
Also, we must applaud the energy, action content, and elements of comedy employed in the kidnap search scenes. The skillfulness of the Askamaya Bees in their brawl against the men’s group is highly commendable. You cannot help but be intrigued by the act while laughing out loud at the likes of Busty – she is the comic relief in this movie. This flick also re-introduces Funke Akindele as an exceptional producer and actor, especially in cooperation with her ex-husband JJC Skillz, who is also an expert.
Double-sidedness in the movie does not end in the characters of Salewa and Ayomide. The police are also presented to have upright and law-abiding officers, unlike Officer Dede, who is made to face the law. This goes a long way to create balance in the plot. The aim is not the elimination of atrocities, but to create awareness of the need to choose positive values over vices.
This didactic but comic movie is unique and there is obvious evidence of the great quality in terms of production, and the cast is remarkable for professional acting. We are not surprised at the millions of views it has continued to draw. It ends with justice getting served. I enjoyed the movie; I’m sure you will, too.
Clara Gaiya, an entrepreneur, writes from Lagos.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
