by Oge Okonkwo

This November 16, 2013, Creative Nigeria is set to rouse the world as we celebrate Lagos, the city of liquid wonder and bring Nigerian entertainment to its place on the world stage through Eko the Musical and Eko Art Exhibition, a series of events celebrating the evergreen enigma of Lagos in theatre, music, dance, prose and art exhibition. Speaking at the stakeholder’s forum held on Saturday 12, 2013. This event brought to you by Century Group, First Bank, Fine and Country and Smooth FM.

The Creative Director of Creative Nigeria Project and an associate producer of Eko the Musical, Lily Adimefe assured Lagosians of an evening of sophisticated entertainment. She said “We have been at this for a little over a year and I am glad all is not set to host Lagos to Eko the Musical, but really it is about introducing history to a young generation of people, who know a lot about Lagos, but don’t quite know Lagos, the 5 centuries of history. We know stories about Lagos, but this is the story of Lagos. For me, I think it is an epoch making event, it is rediscovering legacies of generations past, present and those to come. It is about celebrating the footprints of our heroes born, bred and past. We celebrate the Lagos spirit of tireless ambition, restlessness and unity. We celebrate the emerging chrysalis, the rose swelling in bloom, the concrete jungle aglow with wonder, Eko Akete; Ilu Ogbon. It is a tale of eras connected by the pursuit of love and significance in ‘Eko Akete; Ilu Ogbon’; It chronicles the resilient spirit of ambition, love, perseverance and the bewildering superfluity that Lagos has to offer. It is about how the world around (Lagos) may change but how Lagos was, is and will always be the same” she said.

While speaking at the forum “My Lagos’, Kenneth Uphopho the lead director of Eko the Musical said “It is a privilege for me to be among those hosting Eko the Musical. It is really about the Lagos story. We need to use theatre to reconnect with history, retrieve lost aspects of our culture”.

The associate producer of Eko the Musical, Kemi Lala Akindoju said “There is a lot about cultural Lagos, the depth, the heritage, the culture, the history all of these finding and intersection.

Eko the Musical has be slated to hold on November 16, at the Oriental two shows for 2pm first show, and the VIP second show. Also as part of the KORA week ‘Eko the Musical will also be staged on 17^th of November, by 2pm at the Freedom Park, a special matinee for students.  There will also be an exhibition of fine paintings, sculptural pieces and photographs of Lagos.

No doubt, Lagos is unique with people from assorted cultural backgrounds coming and never wanting to leave, even though she is popularly branded a crazy place to live in. This struggle has created a unique image for the Lagosian!” Despite her rich melting pot quality, she shines still as a center of excellence.  The contrast across centuries; the passage of time and stillness of change; the clash of modernity and tradition; the highs of optimism and the lows of despondency; the credence of hard-work and the redemption of souls; the pitfalls of corruption and the grace of salvation; the upward mobility of her youths, their resonance and sound will be fully engaged.

 

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