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VENO TV Editorial TikToker, Tradition and Human Dignity: Culture Must Never Become an Excuse for Abuse
Date: 05-08-26

By Kayode Adoide

The controversy surrounding TikToker Wasila, who reportedly disguised herself as a man to witness and film the Oloolu masquerade procession in Ibadan, has generated mixed reactions across the country. Ahead of the festival, the Olubadan Palace had publicly reiterated the longstanding traditional prohibition against women seeing the Oloolu masquerade and warned against filming or photographing it.

Reports and images circulating on social media claim that she later underwent a traditional cleansing ritual after allegedly experiencing unusual bleeding. While these claims have been widely shared, not every detail has been independently verified.

There is no dispute that culture is an integral part of our identity. It preserves history, strengthens communities, and passes cherished values from one generation to another. Every society has the right to protect its cultural heritage.
However, the protection of culture must never come at the cost of human dignity.

Whether Wasila violated a traditional rule by entering a restricted cultural space is one issue. How she was subsequently treated is another. If any individual is humiliated, degraded, intimidated, or subjected to abuse in the name of tradition, society must pause and ask whether such actions reflect the values we wish to preserve.

Traditions are strongest when they command respect through wisdom and understanding, not through fear or public humiliation. As societies evolve, cultural practices should continue to uphold justice, compassion, and respect for every human being.
Respect for tradition and respect for human rights are not mutually exclusive. Both can coexist when communities engage in dialogue, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that cultural practices do not violate the dignity and worth of any person.

VENO TV Editorial Position: Our cultural heritage deserves preservation, but every Nigerian—regardless of gender, belief, or background—deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Culture should unite, educate, and inspire, never become a justification for degrading another human being.

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