Broadcast Journalist and dramatist, Ola Awakan says plans have started to bring on stage a play to immortalise Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji for this year’s 11th remembrance anniversary.
The play, “Abibatu Mogaji, the Opera”, which is written by the renowned dramatist Prof Ahmed Yerima, 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, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This statement was made at the audition ground in Lagos to pick actors, singers and dancers for the play.
Awakan said the production by Artswax Communications shall be premiered in Abuja on June 15th and June 23rd in Lagos for Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s 11th year remembrance anniversary, after which it will go on a tour of major cities in the country.
According to the playwright, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, his interest in the play is to tell the story of a great woman who withered all storms to become successful, and also raised a child who is now the president of Nigeria.
The Executive Producer, Ola Awakan added that the project is to inspire young women across Nigeria and Africa at large by dwelling on the successes of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, and to set a right path for women who aspire to become great in the political space.
Nollywood actors Adebowale Adedayo also known as Mr Macaroni and Korede Ajayi who came to visit Prof Ahmed Yerima, admitted that they are happy for the precedence of the veteran playwright in telling good stories to inspire women, and his contributions to the development of live theatre in Nigeria. They added that his choice to write this new play will also inspire more ladies to greatness.
The project is also to celebrate the strength of motherhood by spotlighting the pains and joy, struggle and successes of Mama Mogaji, to highlight the benefits of political mentorship, chronicle the genesis of praise singing in grassroots politics in Nigeria and showcase the revolution of productive structural market business in Nigeria.
The Executive Producer said the unveiling of the project is also a birthday gift to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he marks his 72nd birthday.