Ozain vs. Masquerade Custodians: Traditionalists, in new video, summon Comic actor over controversial skit

Ozain found himself at the center of a storm as fierce backlash erupted over his latest skit, which touched on the deeply revered Yoruba masquerade tradition.
Custodians of the sacred practice, incensed by what they see as a reckless portrayal, have called on the comedian to stand before them and justify his actions.

Popular Yoruba comedy skit maker, Hussein Mubarak Kehinde, widely known as Ozain, has landed in hot water with the Ìjọ Ọjẹ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association, Nigeria and Overseas, over a controversial video mocking sacred Yoruba masquerade practice.

In the now-viral skit, Ozain plays the role of a wealthy man being chauffeured when a masquerade, accompanied by its handlers, approached him for money. While he generously handed cash to the entourage, he pointedly refused to offer anything to the masquerade itself.

The scene took a sharp turn when Ozain’s character began taunting the masquerade, unleashed insults and even dared the person behind the mask to reveal their face.

SEE THE CONTROVERSIAL SKIT BELOW

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The video sparked a wave of reactions, some laughed, others bristled. But among those who took offense were the custodians of Yoruba culture, who viewed the skit as a flagrant act of desecration against an age-old spiritual tradition.

Outraged by the mockery, the Ìjọ Ọjẹ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association, a powerful masquerade cult, swiftly issued a summons to Ozain and his entire team.

In a charged video statement on Thursday, the association’s president, Ọmọ’ba Adéọlá Ayoola, delivered an ultimatum that Ozain and everyone involved in the production must appear before the Olórí Alágbáà, the head of masquerades, at Ogungbaja’s house in Ibadan, no later than Friday, March 14, 2025.

Speaking in Yorùbá, Ayoola stated, “We are expecting Ozain and his team at the house of Olórí Alágbáà at Ogungbaja’s house, Ibadan, between now, 6 minutes past two in the afternoon, and tomorrow, the 14th of March 2025, to come and explain the intention behind the video. We implore you to answer this call.”