The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale, says it is wrong to castigate people that chose to bleach their skin, adding that it amounts to an infringement on their human rights.
The monarch said this in a statement on Monday, April 8, against the backdrop of the recent ban placed on skin bleaching products by the government of Rwanda.
“Every action has its causative and effects. As an informed mind, the duo factors are considered before the application of cosmetic products while the decision is personal,” said Adewale.
“Recently, the government of Rwanda pronounced ban on skin bleaching products on the claim that the materials are harmful to human body.”
The monarch also insisted that individuals should be left to handle the consequences of using cosmetic products.
He added that using skin bleaching or body enhancement among the Blacks should not lead to castigation, bullying or a change of identity.
“Appearance is a personal interest. Even, the white people do a process called tanning to enhance their looks, applying products to look brown just as black men in Africa apply bleaching products to look white,” the Iwo monarch said.
“Such a decision of skin treatment is a personal decision of which restriction is an affront on the personal right. And denial can never stand the test of time in a developed nation.
“Contact lens is equally body enhancement product. Must we ban contact lens because it will give our eyes colour? The world is digital.
“Body treatment is a personal decision. As an identity, we need not shun the grace of our era. Go for the best products while treating your body.
“Everyone has a personal reason. As an African, you can decide to make your skin lighter through body enhancement products in as much as you please yourself just like the white men are tanning to look darker or brown. It is your choice in as much it doesn’t change your identity or who you are. Your look is your personal asset.”
