Metsi, Dear Kaffy Add Flavour To Lagos International Theatre Festival — Guardian Life — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

First Financial institution Guarantees Extra Help For Artistic IndustryThe stage efficiency depicting Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Metsi (Water), a world play from South Africa and Pricey Kaffy, a stage play carried out by veteran Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko and actress Uzo Osimkpa launched dignitaries to the richness of African tradition value celebrating and selling at this yr’s Lagos Worldwide Theatre Pageant.

By the language of drama, songs and spoken phrases, the maiden version of the competition introduced collectively movers and shakers, traders, and practitioners within the leisure business.

The competition, an initiative of founder, Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters and sponsored by First Financial institution of Nigeria (FBN) showcases Nigeria’s tradition and creativity by way of numerous performances, manufacturing and creative expression, highlighting the nation’s cultural heritage and artistic expertise and featured awards.

With the theme, Tradition Unmasked, the Lagos Worldwide Theatre Pageant, actually unmasked the great thing about tradition. On the occasion, Nigerian playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka; theatre director, Segun Adefila and veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel obtained awards for his or her contributions to the business.

Bolanle Austen-Peters mentioned the competition was developed not solely to advertise cultures however to make all of the talent units within the artwork sector come collectively as a group to create a wider ecosystem for the humanities business to thrive.

“We’re excited that we’re bringing the theatre group collectively in Nigeria. I’m honoured to be doing this. Theatre is coming again. There are many theatre corporations which are represented however extra infrastructures are wanted as extra individuals are participating in theatre.”

Talking on the choice for the competition, she mentioned: “For a very long time I didn’t need to do that however being within the frontline, I realised the necessity to get all people collectively. This can be accomplished yearly. By this, jobs are created, expertise are transferred.

Additionally talking, the veteran actor, Francis Onwochei, mentioned: “What is occurring now’s a strategic merger of issues occurring concurrently; stage performances and tv manufacturing are happening all over.”

Talking in the course of the occasion in Victoria Island, Lagos, Chief Govt Officer, First Financial institution Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, mentioned through the years, FirstBank has been deliberate about its assist for the inventive arts, a creating sector with nice potential to drive the nation’s financial progress.

“We’re all witnesses to the waves that Nollywood and the Nigeria music business particularly, are making everywhere in the world; we’re proud to have been a pivotal a part of the success of this business and now we have continued to be deliberate about our assist for it. “Very lately, we sponsored the “Oke Langbodo” stage efficiency which had over 1000 folks in attendance and “Eni Ogun”, the Noble Warrior, a stage efficiency held in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka.

“Our dedication to the inventive business is as previous because the Financial institution’s existence. Nevertheless, by way of the First@arts initiative, now we have continued to innovatively create greater platforms for rising our sponsorship of your complete worth chain of the inventive arts business, offering the much-needed financing, promotion, and sponsorship programmes to facilitate the successes of the business.

“FirstBank’s partnership with the Lagos Worldwide Theatre Pageant aligns with our dedication to foster creativity and innovation; promote cultural heritage and variety; and assist expertise improvement and youth empowerment.

Talking in the course of the occasion, CEO, Channels TV, John Momoh, mentioned: “A competition of this magnitude wouldn’t be doable with out the tireless efforts of the organisers, the dedication of our proficient performers, and the assist of our sponsors and companions. However many thanks are due and certainly an amazing debt of gratitude, to a girl whose imaginative and prescient, ardour, and unwavering dedication have introduced us to this defining second: the outstanding Bolanle Austin-Peters. Her work has not solely redefined the Nigerian stage however has additionally breathed new life right into a theatre business that was as soon as on the point of obscurity. By her trailblazing productions and dedication, Bolanle, has reminded us of the immense energy of storytelling and the position of the humanities in shaping our society.”