The public performance of the nationally acclaimed play, Okikiro (Love of Nation) by award winning Nigerian author, Eki Faith Eboigbe, holds on Friday 2nd December at the Art Theatre, Creative Art Department, University of Lagos from 2:30 pm.
The play is directed by seasoned actor and artistic director, Segun Adefila.
Okikiro is a cleverly written play that draws attention to the perilous times in which youths of today exist. It’s timely and essential exploration of the effects of a society in which there are laws but no values, have on the ethical beliefs of the upcoming generation.
A satiric play with a social-cultural and moral theme, Okikiro is a clarion call to Nigerian youths to play their part in restoring glory and honour to their motherland. It seeks to re-ignite a sense of responsibility, unity, national pride and moral fortitude in the Nigerian youths.
Okikiro is timely, particularly at this time in a Nigeria plunged into socio-economic and political palpitation, which has encased the citizens in despair and uncertainty of the future.
The play portrays the conflict that breaks out in the once peaceful land of Okikiro, and the wisdom with which the youth of the land tackled the seemingly hydra-headed monster to proffer a peaceful resolution, restoring peace to their land and justice to the culprits. It is an ideal forum to illustrate ways to bridge the widening gap between the youth and societal values.
Okikiro projects the message of love, integrity and patriotism in a multi-ethnic and diverse cultural environment like Nigeria, which in urgent need of a messiah to free the country from its long-suffering and seemingly jinxed, ill-fated, retrogressions, and stagnated condition.
The play’s philosophy is to position the youth as the desired, long-awaited, sane, credible, dedicated and passionate role-models with determined positive vision and sense of integrity to resist and reject the pressure of corruption in any form.
Okikiro is poise to ignite the re-awaking of self-esteem, self-worth and profound love and respect towards hope for a better Nigeria.
The producer is committed to creating, developing and producing artistically excellent and culturally diverse projects on the state of affairs in Nigerian community.
About Eki Faith Eboigbe
She is a Theatre Arts practitioner, an alumnus of the University of Lagos, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Fate Foundation Entrepreneurs Business School and Harvard Law School, with work experience in the fields of entertainment spanning more than 15 years.
Eki is an astute TV/Film/Stage Producer and Project Manager in the entertainment industry with records of notable events and productions to her credit. Her work include some of most innovative television programmes and movies, including Forever, Keeping Faith, 30 Days, MTN Project Fame (Season 2)
She is a playwright, influenced thematically by her environment and culture. Her published and performed plays on stage include Temi the Dancer, Dancing Mosquitoes, N20 the Journey, and Okikiro (Love of Nation)
Her love for humanity and deep sense of responsibility to her motherland fuels the need to initiate and implement productive activities, which add value to her country.
She is the initiator of project YETI your answer! (Young Edu-Tainment Initiative), a Community service project for young people endorsed by the Lagos State Ministry of Education; as well as Family Meeting, celebrating the International Day of Families, endorsed by Lagos State Parks and Garden.
Eki was Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Lagos Chapter (2012-2015); Curator/Business Manager of the Living Icons project; Member of Child Protection Network, Lagos; Member of Rotary Club of Lagos; and Creative Director of Entertainment Bus-Stop Limited (Arts and Events renaissance consultancy).
