“Kashimawo,” a play on late Chief Moshood Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, is to be staged in March.
The play, produced by the Duke of Shomolu Production, is to be staged in Lagos State in March 2024.
According to a statement by Mofoluwake Edgar, Managing Director of the Duke of Shomolu Foundation, the play will bring to life Nigeria’s symbol of democracy.
Edgar said in the statement: “The play will delve very deeply into Yoruba mythology in an attempt to tell the story of this remarkable Nigerian whose very colourful life and ultimate sacrifice birthed the democracy we now enjoy.
“Abiola is a symbol of democracy; he signifies our collective dream of a great country with a free people.”
The statement warned, however, that the play would disappoint audiences as it would not address the issues of Abiola’s politics.
It said: “The play will focus on the essence of life; it will delve into trying to understand the evolving spirituality around a life that was destined for greatness.
“The effervescent Yoruba folklores and the entertaining philosophy embedded in his rich repertoire of proverbs, which delineated and guided his life, will form the guiding push of this play.”
Written and directed by Prof. Rasaki Ojo, a foremost theatre director currently Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Arts and Culture, “Kashimawo” is expected to introduce the mythical characters that formed and guided the personality of Abiola.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ojo also wrote and directed “Fajuyi”, a play on the late Colonle Adekunle Fajuyi.
The play was staged in both Ekiti and Lagos States with Governor Biodun Oyebanji attending both shows along with his cabinet and other prominent members of the Fajuyi and late General Aguiyi Ironsi families.
“Kashimawo” is also expected to attract prominent members of the Abiola family amongst other such prominent Nigerians, the statement said.
It added that the play is being sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
Other sponsors include Lagos State Internal Revenue Service and Unified Payment.
Abiola, a philanthropist, died while struggling to actualise his mandate after retired General Ibrahim Babangida, then military President, annulled what many believed was a free and fair election.
The Federal Government had since recognised him as the winner of the June 12 election and declared the date as Nigeria’s Democracy Day
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