Entertainment
Cash “Aye-ko-ooto” Onadele: A Roaring African Voice Calling for Change through the Arts
Cash “Aye-ko-ooto” Onadele: A Roaring African Voice Calling for Change through the Arts
By Bolaji Israel
Sahara Weekly Reports That The arts and their promoters have long served as powerful voices for inspiring and enforcing radical changes across social, political, economic, and cultural landscapes.
Nigeria, and Africa more broadly, has suffered from poor leadership characterised by corruption, nepotism, widespread poverty, stunted development, inequality, loss of identity, erosion of cultural values, and a troubling craving for foreign lifestyles, among other social maladies.
These issues have marred the promising trajectory of a nation with over 200 million people, rich in both natural and human resources, especially since the onset of its current fourth democratic era in 1999.
One of the literary voices leveraging the power of the arts—particularly drama—to inspire change in Nigeria and Africa is Cash Akinyemi Onadele, also known as Aye-ko-Ooto. He is a prolific writer and a culture-aware philosopher, poet, and playwright.
His passion for literature was nurtured by his childhood experiences with his farmer grandparents, who filled his early years with captivating stories. This foundation sparked his interest in literature, and despite earning a Master’s degree in Agronomy, he ultimately found his voice in the realm of the arts.
Onadele firmly believes that the erosion of cultural identity has distorted the mindset of many Nigerians, leading them to embrace foreign influences—revised histories, religions, lifestyles, foods, music, and addictions—instead of the indigenous practices that have proven their worth for centuries before European colonisation.
Through his art, he passionately calls on Africans to return to their roots and heritage as a critical first step towards achieving comprehensive social and economic development. He asserts that a lost mind, devoid of identity, cannot effectively contribute to nation-building.
Despite spending considerable time in Europe and America gaining valuable experience and writing extensively, Onadele has remained true to his African roots, a theme that permeates his impressive body of literary work, which includes over 109 collections of plays, poetry, and prose.
His latest play, “Eni Ogun” (The Noble Warrior), produced with the support of the business sector led by FirstBank, was performed in July across Lagos and Ogun States at iconic venues such as the Muson Centre in Lagos Island and the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, in celebration of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
Through the play, Aye-ko-ooto not only celebrates Soyinka’s artistic exploits but also tackles critical issues of leadership, identity crisis, culture, values, class, history, and corruption in Nigeria through the lens of history, aligning with Soyinka’s radical ideologies.
The protagonist—a representation of Professor Soyinka—is the young and charismatic Oluwole Lowo, a noble prince and warrior who, despite his preference for a private life of hunting, teaching, and romance with his intended, Olasope, becomes the conscience of society, catalysing a seismic shift in leadership and community dynamics.
Set in the colonial era of 1884/1885, the fictional play delves into themes of colonial invasion and subjugation, love, leadership, cultural beliefs, religion, and corruption.
Onadele weaponises the protagonist’s struggles as a potent catalyst for the community’s collective demand for positive change, ultimately leading to the natives’ triumph over their oppressors.
The over two-hour play, an adaptation from the drama emerges as a clarion call for Nigerians and Africans to unite, shed foreign identities and practices, rediscover true histories and heritage, embrace indigenous customs and cultures, advocate for responsible leadership, and strive for an egalitarian society characterised by development.
In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, the playwright unveiled the philosophy underpinning the play: “Every soul has a shell,” inspired by Wole Soyinka’s play, “Death and the King’s Horseman” (1975).
He stated, “I distilled the essence of this quote and wrapped literature around it to explore the persona. The story is rich and layered. My aim was to celebrate a dramatist with a drama. I sought the deeper meaning of the quote, combining romantic comedy with beautiful literature, all interwoven with the story of our people.”
Aye-ko-Ooto elaborated on the underlying philosophy: “Every soul has a birthplace, representing identity; every soul is nurtured, reflecting culture; every soul is loved, embodying passion; and every soul has a noble purpose tied to tribal citizenship. When faced with adversity, every soul must summon the courage of character. Ultimately, every soul carries a message, and that message is your inheritance.
“The essence is clear: if you fail to find your identity, neglect your citizenship, and do not stand up for your values in troubled times, you leave your children without an inheritance.”
Onadele described Wole Soyinka as an enigma—a literary cult hero, cultural icon, champion of freedom, and an unwavering advocate for justice, who also holds a deep affection for children. He shared a personal connection with Soyinka, emphasizing the playwright’s commitment to preserving cultural artifacts as an undeniable ambassador of culture.
To promote the Yoruba language and culture, Aye-ko-Ooto intentionally wrote parts of the play in Yoruba, encouraging European audiences to engage more deeply with the language.
In response to the alarming decline in cultural awareness and identity among young Nigerians, the playwright urged the government to embrace ethnography—a principle that prioritizes narratives rooted in African stories. He advocated for increased funding, including prizes and grants, for works celebrating African culture over those with foreign plots.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians to treat artists and their promoters with respect, rather than viewing them as beggars, while encouraging greater support for the arts based on merit.
Onadele, who also has a background in Artificial Intelligence (AI) from his time in Europe, recalls how being exposed at an early age to the works of renowned Nigerian author of Yorùbá heritage, Chief Daniel Olorunfẹmi Fágúnwa (commonly known as D. O. Fágúnwà), inspired his own interest in writing. For him, the Yoruba native voice adds authenticity to storytelling.
According to Onadele, who has built the world’s largest library of individual poetry produced by any single author, every success story has humble beginnings.
Earlier this year, Aye-ko-Ooto was in his element at the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF), dubbed Africa’s largest cultural picnic, where he conducted a two-day mentorship session with undergraduate students from the Creative Arts Department at the University of Lagos on the first day at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos.
Onadele also hosted another mentorship programme for pupils from various public primary schools.
The prolific writer engaged young people on the value of literature while unveiling an endowment for literary prizes in both Yoruba and English languages. It was a rich, educational, and inspiring experience for participating students, as Onadele shared insights from his journey as a writer, despite having a BSc. and MSc. in Agronomy.
Through Adubiifa Network Company (ANC), a multi-media literary, theatre, and movie company, he employs performance theatre as a means to drive change.
His productions have gained recognition from major players like the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).
Onadele’s name continues to resonate in the literary space, where calls for major shifts and changes in Nigeria keeps growing louder.
Entertainment
Just In: Nigeria’s Most Anticipated Movie, Issakaba ‘The Returns’ Supports ISFF Awards
Just In: Nigeria’s Most Anticipated Movie, Issakaba ‘The Returns’ Supports ISFF Awards
Ambassador (Dr.) Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s latest multimillion naira production, Issakaba ‘The Returns’, has thrown its weight behind the 2024 International Students Films Festival, ISFF, holding at the University of Portharcourt, Rivers State.
Issakaba ‘The Return’; remains the most anticipated movie in the history of Nigeria, and was produced and directed by Africa’s most consistent filmmaker, Dr. Lancelot Imasuen with the support of several notable Nigerians like; Emmanuel Winner Utomi of LIAM Ltd, Prince Paul Agbonlahor of Lahor Group worldwide and ‘Diran Adeyinka
WithinDlens Limited.
The return of this great movie that stairs evergreen actors like; Sam Dede, Iyabo Ojo (Queen Mother), Francis Onwuchie, Chidi Mokeme, Reginal Daniels, Sani Danja, Alex Osifo Omiagbo, Charles Okafor, Nosa Rex, Phyna Otabor of BBN, Itele, Kashimawo who played the great Issakaba Seer and several other notable Nollywood stars; is now one of the greatest support of the Film Festival that will be hosted by University of Portharcourt in Rivers State, from September 16 – 20, 2024.
The Student Film Festival will also be an avenue to honor veteran film and television greats, both living and dead, who made indelible marks on the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood.
With a keen eye to celebrate these all-time veterans of cinema, Edo-born filmmaker, Amb. (Dr.) Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (aka D’Guvernor), will be using the second edition of International Students’ Film Festival (ISFF), a campus-based travelling film festival, to celebrate the living and late legends where awards will be named after them. Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, hosted the festival’s first edition in 2023.
Nollywood ace screenwriter Emem Isong has Emem Isong Misodi Award for Best Screenplay named after her, just as Iyen Agbonifo has Iyen Agbonifo Award or Best Costume category named after her, Cleopatra Starret has Cleopatra Starrets Award for Best Make-Up named after her and Sir, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion Award for Best film on Culture also named after him. Also, four fallen heroes of the industry are up for honour with awards dedicated to their names. They are Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi of African Independent Television (AIT) for pioneering a television platform for showcasing films and soap operas, Chico Ejiro for his prodigious output as a filmmaker, Sadiq Daba and Enebeli Elebuwa for their pioneering roles as astute actors and Capt. Hosa Okunbo for his role as film financier and major entertainment supporter.
The students’ films nominated for the nine award categories include Le Kadji, Dazed and Adaeze for Best Screenplay; Budge, Adaeze and Score for Iyen Agbonifo Award for Best Costume; Adeaze, Score and Dazed for Cleopatra Award for Best Make-Up; Obiora (Dominic Nweze as Obiora), Budge (Shedrach Sunday as Zazo) and Solitude (Ibinabo Fortune as Kelvin) for Enebeli Elebuwa Memorial Award for Best Actor (male) while for Female actor category, there are Adaeze (Jane Chidindu as Adaeze), Are You Human? (Ekienabor Sarah) and Score (Trinity Ugonabo as Nelo). Also, there’s Sadiq Daba Memorial Award for Best Short Film that has Dazed, Budge and Solitude, Capt. Hosa Okunbo Memorial Award for Best Feature Film with The Pirates, Praeda and Once Upon a Time at Ruth’s as nominees; Chico Ejiro Memorial Award for Best Director and has Budge, Dazed and Solitude as nominations; Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Memorial Award for Documentary with 40 Years a Memory, The Rise and Ndito-Ufen as nominated films.
Amb. Imasuen said the motivation for setting up the student-based festival is to lend credence to his passion of empowering young people with skills in the industry where he has made a name for himself. He said he doesn’t want empowerment to be a mere slogan, but something that can be made real in the lives of young people who are willing to learn the rudiments of filmmaking. Secondly, he said the award component of the festival is designed as a celebration of both the living and practitioners who are fallen heroes and heroines of the industry, and to point the minds of young people towards emulating their achievements with a view to surpassing them in their craft.
Fatimber: A Journey from Badagry to the Stage.
Sahara Weekly Reports That Eebudola Fatai Oguntola, popularly known as “Fatimber,” is a fast-rising artist from Badagry, Lagos. Born into a family of seven, Fatimber’s love for music was nurtured at home, where his father often played legendary artists like Fela Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, and Shola Allison. Growing up in such a musically rich environment sparked his passion, and by the age of 10, Fatimber was already gathering kids in his neighborhood for impromptu performances. His early exposure to diverse sounds laid the foundation for his musical journey, which saw him writing his songs by age 15 and recording his first track, “Reason,” at 24.
For Fatimber, music has always been more than just entertainment—it’s a means of communication. From a young age, he felt music was his calling, and he vividly remembers telling his parents he would become a musician when he was just 10 years old. Despite initial concerns from his mother, his father’s support encouraged him to pursue his passion. Over time, Fatimber came to view music as a powerful tool to express his thoughts and feelings, fueling his energy and drive.
When creating new music, Fatimber’s process is deeply personal. His mood, environment, and experiences shape the direction of his songs. He dedicates specific hours each day to writing lyrics and composing melodies, ensuring his music is a true reflection of himself. However, like many artists, he faced challenges along the way. “Finding my sound and getting people to connect with my music were big hurdles,” he admits. But through persistence and self-belief, he was able to overcome these challenges and build a loyal fanbase.
Collaboration has also played an essential role in his growth. Working with other artists has broadened his creative perspective and enriched his musical approach. “Everyone has a different way of doing things, and I’ve learned a lot from collaborating with others,” Fatimber says. His biggest influences in the industry include both legends and contemporary stars, from Fela and King Sunny Ade to Olamide, Wizkid, and Burna Boy.
Fatimber is currently excited about his new single, “Eko Miami,” which is available on all streaming platforms. He’s also hard at work on his upcoming EP, which fans can expect soon. “I’m excited about what’s coming next,” he shares.
In his final message to his fans, Fatimber expressed deep gratitude. “To all my fans worldwide, I love you guys. You are the realest. Thank you for all the love and support, and I promise I will never let you down.”
You can connect with Fatimber on Instagram, Snapchat, X, and TikTok under the handle @fatimber_rtn.
Ajia Marks His Birthday With Message of Encouragement to Nigerians
Asks Nigerians to Take Charge of Their Destiny
Drops hashtag #NigeriaWeDeserve
Sahara Weekly Reports That The President/CEO of Funab Group of Companies Ltd, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, marks his 45th birthday with a strong call for credible leadership that can harness Nigeria’s vast potentials for prosperity.
The call was made in his birthday message, released by his Director of Communications, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan. In his message, Ajia emphasized the urgent need for sociopolitical and economic reforms to address the myriad of challenges facing the nation towards paving the way for a brighter future for all Nigerians.
With a firm belief in the transformative power of effective governance and sustainable economic development, Ajia firmly believes that the problems the nation is facing are surmountable, maintaining that the problems are primarily sociopolitical and economic in nature, as such if adequately and effectively addressed would bring succour to the people.
Furthermore, Ajia highlighted the importance of cohesive and strategic interventions to steer the nation towards sustainable development.
“As I celebrate my birthday, I present to you a vision for a Nigeria that thrives on the principles of justice, accountability, and inclusive growth,”.
Ajia pointed out that the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies in leadership while expressing deep concerns on the quality, sincerity, commitment, and patriotism of those in leadership positions. Ajia, however, urged citizens not to be overwhelmed but rather take charge of their own destiny.
The Ilorin-born politician said, “We still have the power to make things better for ourselves, our families, and our communities, despite leadership challenges. We must raise our voices, take action, and work together to build a better Nigeria.”
He called on Nigerians, especially the people of Kwara State, to embrace their collective power and strive for positive change.
Ajia’s message resonates with many, as the country faces numerous challenges.
Funab President urges Nigerians to raise their voices on issues affecting their communities, take action through volunteerism and community service, support local businesses and initiatives that can promote development while embracing their collective power to work together for positive change.
He therefore advised Nigerians to share their thoughts and ideas on how to build a better Nigeria using the hashtag #NigeriaWeDeserve. “Let us work together to create a brighter future for all.”
As a respected business leader and philanthropist, Ajia’s commitment to Nigeria’s development is evident. His birthday serves as a reminder that individuals can make a difference and contribute to the country’s growth.
Ajia’s vision for a prosperous future hinges on the collective efforts of all Nigerians, and he calls for unity and collaboration across sectors to implement these solutions effectively.
With a clear roadmap for progress and prosperity, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment where transformation and growth are within reach, awaiting the unwavering dedication and concerted action of its leaders and citizens alike.
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