WS@90: The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun set to premiere in Abeokuta, Lagos

As part of activities celebrating the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Adubiifa Network Company (ANC) – a multi-media literary, theatre, and movie company – is set to exhilarate Nigeria’s drama and theatre space with the public presentation of the play, The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun. The play is directed by Oriade Segun Adefila, while Cash Onadele, also known as AIYE-KO-OOTO, is producer and Toye Arulogun, Executive Producer. A collaboration between Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) and Adubiifa Network Company, the stage play is billed for a premiere on July 15, 2024 at 6:00pm in Abeokuta at the Hubert Ogunde Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre. There will be four shows in Lagos at the MUSON Centre on July 20 and 21 with two shows daily at 3:00pm and 6:00pm. With a carefully selected cast and technical crew, this celebrative cultural heritage play showcases the protagonist brand persona likened to Wole Soyinka and highlighting similar personality traits as a fighter and the humane warrior in his 90-year sojourn on earth. The story is that of Oluwole – a princely noble warrior who desires a private life hunting, teaching, and romancing his intended, Olasope. Little did he know that Olasope’s fervent wish would be the subject of a bet between the wizard and the witch of the land. Oluwole’s new goal is to rid his homeland of the British. This followed (his adversary) Gbadamosi’s prompt for Major Scott to deflower Olasope, his intended. The spine of the drama: Only one arrow, the conscience, doubtful or delicate, pierces the crossroad of corruption, colonialism, and the crown. The production of this commemorative tribute to Wole Soyinka is expected to tour selected cities across Nigeria after these initial shows in Abeokuta and Lagos. NAL Celebrates Prof Emeritus Soyinka At 90th Birthday AN International Symposium to celebrate the 90th birthday of Professor Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel laureate in Literature, is being organised by the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), the event, themed, Eni Ogun: An Enduring Legacy, will hold on July 11, 2024, at 10:00am in the J. F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos. This symposium, organised in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE), aims to honour Professor Soyinka’s lifetime of unique and inspirational achievements. As a distinguished Foundation Fellow of the Academy, Soyinka is celebrated for his powerful words, extensive literary works, and consistent advocacy for justice, good governance, and the dignity of Nigerians and black people globally. The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including Professors Yemi Osinbajo, Niyi Osundare, Tunde Adeniran, Olu Obafemi, Bereket Selassie, Ahmed Yerima, Mabel Evwierhoma, Florence Orabueze, Tanimu Abubakar and Razinat Mohammed Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y ‘Poetry Meets Music’ In Paris THE global celebration of 90th birthday anniversary of Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, which began June 6, 2024 in Florence, Italy, moved to France on Sunday, June 9, 2024 as Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y (AI) presented ‘Poetry Meets Music’ at the iconic Eiffel Tower, Paris. The Paris show featured the multi-award-winning Afropop queen, Jemiriye, and the Vision of the Child (VoTC) rising star, Princess Marinay. The extraordinary event, a continuation of the ambitious Europe Roadshows of the celebration, is part of the elaborate programme designed to commemorate the 15th edition of the yearly Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) in honour of the laureate’s arrival on the nonagenarian rung of his illustrious life, and career as a global cultural icon and humanist. The Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y project, an initiative of the Vision of The Child (VoTC), celebrates the enduring legacy of Soyinka, whose profound influence on literature, culture, and civil/human rights is globally recognised. Established in 2012 under Soyinka’s visionary leadership, VoTC has fostered creativity, education, and social transformation in, and among thousands of young minds. Africa I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y represents Integrity, Diversity, Economic Development, Nationhood, Trade, Innovation, Talent, and Youthfulness, according to the WSICE2024/WS90 Project Director, Foluke Michael. After its European tour, the AI will also berth in London where it will join the WSICE main programme outlines at The Africa Centre. Here it will be accompanied by other exhibitions including: WS: A Life in Full, showing historical images and portraits of Soyinka over the ages; NINE Seasons of KONGI – paintings and drawings inspired by the celebrant’s life and career. There will also be a display of rare copies of Onitsha Market Literature, which is a passion collection project of Soyinka. Comprising two components: “Enduring Legacy: The Africa Spirit” (exhibition) and “The NINE Seasons of KONGI (Wole Soyinka),” the AI is a unique platform showcasing African values through the eyes of its youth and entrepreneurs. “This award-winning project aims to promote African values and trade, inspired by VoTC’s themes of good governance, democracy, and a culture of integrity,” added Foluke Michael. She continued, “The Enduring Legacy exhibition highlights Soyinka’s contributions that transcend borders, addressing universal themes of freedom, resilience, and identity. The NINE Seasons of KONGI (Wole Soyinka) honours his legacy through 90 poetic performances and cultural events across nine countries: Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and the Republic of Benin. The poetic performances will continue across selected locations in Nigeria at the end of June. “In 72 hours, poets Princess Marinay and 10-year-old Mofifunoluwa Atilola have performed 12 selected poems of Wole Soyinka before live audiences at historic sites in Florence, including Piazza Del Duomo, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and Academia Galleria. The roadshow continued in the Tuscany region of Italy on June 8, spanning Siena, Panzano, and Greve in Chianti. On June 13, marking a 30-day countdown to Soyinka’s 90th birthday, a live painting event was held in Florence by the master artist and culture administrator, Tola Wewe and multi-talented Princess Marinay. The duo will depict the legacy of Wole Soyinka by reimagining Michelangelo. This was followed by the VoTC Creative Hub event in Nigeria later in June and a final exhibition in Lagos and London in July. The climax will be an auction and Africa trade session in August 2024. “Beyond celebrating Prof. Soyinka’s birthday, “African I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y” aims to launch a virtual exhibition and Solution17 Creative Academy, nurturing exceptional talents and creativity towards Africa’s growth, development, and prosperity,” stated Michael The post WS@90: The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun set to premiere in Abeokuta, Lagos appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.