Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo led other prominent Nigerians, including the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Chief Gbenga Daniel, among others, to accord honour to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Dideolu.
The event was a film presentation/drama, titled: “Awo: The
Man, His Jewel And…” The presentation by Duke of Somolu Production, which took
place at Glover Hall, showcased the political life and times of the sage and
his wife, Hannah, who papa himself described as Jewel of inestimable value.
Others present at the event were: wife of the vice
president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Professor A. B. B. O. Oyediran, Alhaja Abah
Folawiyo, Mrs Ayotola Ayodeji, Mr Tunde Kelani, Co-producer of the drama,
Barrister Ladi Soyode among others.
Speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila lauded the producer,
Edga, saying what he saw with the presentation was “immortality.”
While noting that it was common to have people who had
passed being brought alive through books, drama and others, and not really
through music, Gbajabiamila said the takeaway he had of the sage from the
presentation was that “once upon all the time, there was a man,” and not the
common saying of “once upon a time, there was a man.”
He said, “Let me very quickly commend Edga on the production
tonight. What I see is immortality. You hear people brought alive through
books, drama, others, but not really through music. That is what has happened
tonight. Papa wore many caps today.
“I have many takeaways, I am excited. My conclusion is once
upon all the time, there was a man. I am glad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has
said the Ibeju-Lekki axis of the State is prospering richly because of the
prophetic utterances of the late sage and Premier of the old Western Region,
Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement on Sunday evening
after watching a stage musical drama performance titled ‘Awo: The Man, His
Jewel And…’ produced by The Duke of Shomolu, a theatre company run by Joseph
Edgar.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the uniqueness in what was presented
on “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” was bringing back memory of Ibeju- Lekki
where Awolowo was incarcerated and the blessing the Premier of the Western
Region showered on the community, which had come to reality.
The play “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” which took place at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, showcased the political life and times of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, late Chief (Mrs) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who the late sage himself described as ‘Jewel of inestimable value.’ The play was directed by renowned director, Makinde Adeniran.
WELCOME ADDRESS BY LADI SOYODE
In my capacity as one of the co-producers of this event It
is a great honour to welcome you tot his ceremony ,this production is a
celebration of the life and times of Papa Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mama H.I.D
Awolowo.
Made possible by the efforts and commitment of the Duke of
shomolu productions Prior to the decision to collaborate with the Duke of
Shomolu productions I was in talks with a number of prominent international
studios on the production of a Hollywood movie on Awo whilst dwelling upon the
enormous task of raising the millions of dollars required for the endeavour .
Through a mutual friend and accomplished performer Ms Elvina
Ibru I was brought into the world of the Duke of shomolu and his goal of
reviving theatre through telling the stories of our culture and historical
personages.
It was a true case of double or perhaps more appropriately
multiple coincidences because my sister H.E (Mrs) Dolapo Osinbajo had also
written a complete script on Papa that shall be presented to the public in a
not too distant future.
However there is something that needs to be emphasised about
this particular perspective of Awo it is not simply focused on the philosopher
and statesman and his pragmatic approach to social engineering.
But it’s beamed through the lenses of his wife Mama H.I.D
Awolowo, this approach offers a simply human narrative to the turbulences and
victories of a family man devoted to the cause of “freedom for all, life more
abundant and a wife that stood by him through thick and thin.
As one of a number of grandchildren that was privileged to
share ordinary moments and extraordinary days under their guidance.
And through lineal providence became one of the passengers
on the journey of two giants,cradling in the nest from which eagles flew.
Observing proceedings from the quiet side “far from the
maddening crowd.
We became custodians along with other members of the
household of the story of Papa and Mama,the authenticity of the script was
paramount with many sessions held with members of the Awolowo family, alongside
detailed study of the autobiographical books of chief Awolowo and other
reliable sources.
All of this combined with the ingenuity of the script writer
and director Mr Makinde Adeniran we present to you:
This story of a devoted Husband and his loving Wife , a
dutiful Father and industrious Mother who during their darkest hours could
defiantly display courage and held on, in the faith that a glorious dawn will
always come on the morrow.
In this spirit together they marched through the gates of
history and have now become legends.
Once more you are welcome and I trust you will find most
refreshing the historical drama.
“Awo the man, his jewel”