29th March, 2024
By Taiye Olayemi
Leading Nigerian theatre practitioners led by Prof. Ahmed Yerima and Ola Awakan on Friday revealed plans to celebrate Abibatu Mogaji, frontline Lagos businesswoman and mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a stage a play titled “Abibatu Mogaji, the Opera.”
Mogaji, a business magnate and the Ìyál’ọ́jà of Lagos was born Oct. 16, 1916, and died June 15, 2013
The play, “Abibatu Mogaji, the Opera”, is to celebrate the journey to success of one of the most powerful women leaders in the political landscape of Nigeria, and a very successful business magnate,” Awakan, Executive Producer of the play told journalists in Lagos on Friday.
He added that the play is also to commemorate late Mogaji’s 11th year remembrance anniversary as well as a birthday gift to President Tinubu as he marks his 72nd birthday.
Awakan said said the play would be premiered on June 15 in Abuja and June 23 in Lagos and thereafter, go on a tour of major cities in the country.
Also speaking at the press conference, Yerima said his interest in the play was to tell the story of a great woman who withered all storm to become successful, and also raised a child who is now the president of Nigeria.
He said the project was also to celebrate the strength of motherhood by spotlighting the pains, joy, struggle and successes of Mama Mogaji, to highlight the benefits of political mentorship.
“This is also to chronicle the genesis of praise singing in grassroots politics in Nigeria and showcase the revolution of productive structural market business in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)