Kehinde Adeleye
The purported abuse and harassment of Nollywood actor Lawori at the hands of Koko Zaria, a member and leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has caused a stir in the online community.
While the details of the alleged incident remain unclear, the involvement of Koko Zaria and his men in the alleged attack has left many with unanswered questions.
Speculation abounds as to why Lawori was targeted, with some wondering if it was a premeditated assault, given his role as the Master of Ceremony at the event.
These and many more questions are begging for answers.
It’s widely known that the Yoruba genre of Nollywood has had a cordial relationship with NURTW, particularly when the former Lagos State NURTW boss, Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, was at the helm. Koko Zaria, a member of NURTW, also appeared in some Yoruba movies, which further strengthened the ties between the entertainment industry and the transport union.
The alleged involvement of Lawori, a known figure in the entertainment and Nollywood industry, raises some concerning questions. It suggests that the incident could be more complex than just a simple altercation, especially given the historic relationships between NURTW and the Yoruba Nollywood genre.
The incident involving Lawori has brought renewed scrutiny on the issue of security and safety for entertainers, who often find themselves in vulnerable positions as they interact with various individuals and organizations in the course of their work.
Following the leadership changes within NURTW, with the emergence of Adekunle Mustapha, known as Sego, MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria have found themselves on opposing sides, with MC Oluomo reportedly feeling betrayed by Koko Zaria’s allegiance to the Sego faction.
It’s worth noting that in the wake of the incident, a group within the Yoruba Nollywood industry has urged both parties, Lawori and Koko Zaria, to resolve their differences amicably, to avoid any negative impact on the relationship between the entertainment industry and NURTW.
Given the potential for further escalation of the situation between Lawori and Koko Zaria, some experts in the entertainment industry believe that it would have been beneficial for law enforcement agencies to intervene in the dispute. They argue that the incident could spark retaliatory attacks from the Lawori faction, creating a volatile situation.
The silence of Adekunle Mustapha, the current NURTW boss in Lagos, on the issue is also seen as a potential factor in the ongoing tensions.
Some analysts speculate that the apparent rift between MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria may be a calculated move to regain the attention of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, who has historically provided support and protection to both individuals.
The recent events between Lawori and Koko Zaria could potentially be seen as a means of creating a stir and gaining the attention of the President, in an effort to rekindle their previous level of influence and status.
Some are also of the opinion that the Lagos State Government under governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner for Culture , Arts and Tourism , Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Seun Osiyemi should also address the situation as it is getting worrisome the activities of the NURTW members, who are known for violence, the actors are now afraid of moving around because of this humiliation and unforseen attack from this miscreants.
