Continuing in its tradition of promoting the rich Nigerian culture and heritage, MTN Foundation sponsored a series of noteworthy theatre productions, rounding off the year 2019 on a high.
The December productions began with Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens, a musical drama centered on the life and activism of legendary Fela Kuti. The production held at Terra Kulture and had multiple runs into January.
The train continued with Five Maids of Fadaka produced by Ayo Jaiyesinmi, which tells a contemporary story of the travails of parents in ensuring a good life for their children.
For the first time, Joseph Edgar’s Emotan was staged in Lagos after an impressive outing in Benin earlier in the year.
Emotan tells the story of a well-respected food trader during the reign of Oba Uwaifiokun and Prince Ogun, who later took the name “Oba Ewuare the Great” after becoming the Oba of Benin.
History has it that Emotan assisted Oba Ewuare in reclaiming the throne as Oba of Benin after several years in exile.
Exploring the rich history of our heroes past, the MTN Foundation sponsored OMG: The Musical produced by Ayo Ajayi, who is a graduate of the Muson School of Music scholarship programme funded by MTN Foundation. OMG beautifully captures the story of three Nigerian activists, Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti, Margaret Expo and Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, who fought against injustice and pushed for emancipation of women in the society. For guests at each production, it was a beautiful experience to see Nigerian history dramatised.
The Arts and Culture cause of MTN Foundation is dedicated to retelling Nigerian and African stories, promoting family and national values and empowering skilled professionals within the country’s arts and culture ecosystem.
The tradition of empowering and supporting varying arts and culture productions started in 2010 with sponsorship of acclaimed productions such as Waaka, Saro, Fela, Legends, Oba Esugbayi, Our Son the Minister and many.
In 2019, the Foundation has sponsored over 10 theatre productions including Sound Sultan’s Broadway styled Jungle Story 2, Agbarho the stage play, the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF), Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST), and Life in My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF) and many more.
