Taking Routes of Roots: Jagun Jagun Screenplayed Nigeria’s Cabals

 

It is evident, recently, Nollywood Industry has decided to take a u-turn in their depiction of life to their Nigerian audience and that is commendable, knowing they’re just waking up to the crucial role their artistic skills ought to play in mirroring the bad deeds of leaders and identifying with the pains of fellow Nigerians on the streets.

 

Gone are the days of repeated marriage crisis scenes, campus life and historic mirrors of fallen heroes (though these are still good); these days—everyday experience of Nigerians is far more than worse.

 

From the core, the earth sinks and everything else dries up. The minority emerged to save it from the crisis they initially caused. They sought support, and the people tripped in, massively. But, like the Biblical Galatians, the people were sucked out of the truth. They never knew, all was for them to sit at the top and be “a lone racer who is richer, who is better and who is greater while tolerating no other, forever.” They use us and dump us either as thugs or as makers of their wealth.

 

The masses sing excruciating lyrics of hunger. They harmoniously drink from the cup of hardships. Sleep in snatches, living everyday, believing the lying tongues of the leaders and the routine insincere anthems of them that ‘all will be well’. Scam! The truth, nothing will be well unless the Ogundiji of Nigeria falls through the hands of an intrepid and bold Gbotija. That is the only end Nigerians have not reached. Aside from this, Jagun Jagun took the routes of roots to screenplay the main problem of Nigerians.

 

 

The movie, Jagun Jagun features a ferocious and what is appropriate to call, the most feared and the most powerful warrior called Ogundiji son of Ogunrogba who is an instrument of war for the unqualified to be enthroned as kings and a determined would-be warrior called Gbotija, who wish to become a warrior and avenge his father’s death.

 

Ogundiji loves to give orders while Gbotija hates cheating. Both start on a smooth note, with Ogundiji accepting Gbotija to his School of Warriors. Killing of innocent people and fellow warriors who and who don’t trespassed were easy. But Gbotija didn’t talk. He was unconcerned until what makes man go wild — hunger — makes him talk. He was the first to challenge them and with that he won the heart of Iroyinogunkitan, a fake daughter of Ogundiji who was later identified as Agemo, a powerful beast used as a tool of warfare by Ogundiji.

 

Love story sparks. Gbotija ended up unrolling the skirt of Kitan. But during this time, Gbotija, the son of Lagbayi who knows how to speak with trees, has awakened the curiosity of Ogundiji and some other filthy kings enthroned by the warlord. The amazing stunt achieved by Gbotija during the Ori festival was the source of everything. The stunt was only achieved by Ogundiji and there has been no other person, until Gbotija.

Ogundiji hates rivals. Kings hate to lose him too. At least, without him, they may lose their crowns. They sparked his anger and he set out to put Gbotija to three warrior tests which he was sure will not survive. Gbotija survived the three but lost his wife, Kitan and a step father, Gbogunmi, who gave him charms.

 

After this, he was thrown in the know of the real intent of Ogundiji and he set out to end his life. Getting back to the warriors academy, he was broken, vituperative and outspoken. His outspokenness won him warriors, including a lone warrior-wife of Ogundiji, who was instrumental to the defeat of the warlord. Ogundiji put on his war attire, warriors led by Gbotija have already gathered; war broke out. And while everyone was busy wrestling and exerting charms; the betrayed wife—who was already broken after hearing that her adopted daughter Kitan was killed by Ogundiji, her husband—took a knife, more like a charm induced one, stabbed Ogundiji from the back. And while he was writhing in pain, Gbotija struck. Another warrior stabbed him from the back, he knelt, then, Gbotija stabbed him three times for each person dear to him he killed. Ogundiji died and Gbotija limped away.

 

With this, I say coupled with the shaolin practices featured in the movie, I can totally recommend that the movie is top-notch and should be watched by every Nigerian household. It is suitable for both young and old.

 

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