We live in a world where context is lost so easily, where we will rather demonize people than understand the motive behind their action or the larger picture, way too many times this happens and the narrative shifts. Let me stay on course here.
A video surfaced online where the Honourable commissioner for Tourism in Lagos state, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka was asking a citizen not to record a scene. Now, that video has generated some controversies with several personalities weighing in to judge if the altercation was right or wrong. I don’t enjoy going to the courts, less sitting as a judge over moral matters. I will do you one better – i will show you the full picture of what happened, how it led to that point and just maybe, that will make you see the matter in a different light.
The day in question was meant to be an ordinary, unscheduled inspection of the JJ Randle Center for Yoruba Arts. The intention was clear: to observe the center in its natural state without the pretense often associated with scheduled visits. She just wanted authenticity and transparency, values that are crucial for maintaining the integrity of cultural institutions.
During this visit, the Commissioner uncovered a disconcerting reality—a section of the center had been unlawfully converted into a canteen. This unauthorized exploitation of public resources was not just a violation of the center’s purpose but a breach of public trust. The Commissioner, acting within her jurisdiction, ordered an immediate shutdown of the illegal operations. Her actions were driven by a duty to protect the sanctity of a cultural heritage site and ensure that it remains a space dedicated to the arts.
She knows the law of the land and the moral compass of the government she is privileged to serve forbids the using of public infrastructre as a means of chasing illegal gains. A government building is not supposed to be used for personal gain and that was the hill she was standing on.
By virtue of her office, she is also well acquianted with the financial regulation laws; the code of conduct amongst many other documents stipulate how a civil servant must behave and it was to rein in these excesses that the honourable commissioner acted passionately.
The video that surfaced, however, told a different story. Stripped of context, it painted a picture of conflict and authoritarianism. What it failed to capture was the backstory of corruption and misuse of public resources. The individuals behind the canteen, resisting the shutdown, chose to manipulate public sentiment by selling a skewed narrative to an online platform.
Adding a layer of complexity, one of the individuals involved was not a mere bystander but a government employee. This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity and accountability of those entrusted with safeguarding public resources. The focus on the Commissioner, who was merely doing her job, diverts attention from these critical issues.
This individual, it would later be revealed to be the Personal assistant to the CEO/Center Director of the JJ Randle Center; Mr Qudus Onikeku. He has set the record straight that the Honourable Commissioner only ordered his PA to stop filming and one of her team members was the one responsible for the assault, not the commissioner herself. With the sensitivity of the issue at hand, it should be crystal as to why a video recording is the last thing allowed.
The broader context reveals a Commissioner dedicated to transforming Lagos’s tourism landscape—a commitment evidenced by the internationally acclaimed success of “Detty December.” Yet, instead of celebrating these achievements, she finds herself under scrutiny for actions rooted in a desire to uphold the law and preserve cultural integrity.
This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the power of social media to shape narratives, often at the expense of truth and fairness. It highlights the need for a more discerning approach to public discourse—one that seeks to understand the full picture before passing judgment.
In the end, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to let the truth be overshadowed by partial narratives, or do we commit to seeking out the whole story? In the case of Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the answer could redefine our approach to accountability and justice in the digital age.
