For a thespian like Pa Ben Tomoloju, nothing ever written can truly quantify the man he is. For me, the day i learnt the words of the 'epo biriki' song was the day i began to thirst for the kind of creativity that births something so beautiful. In this festive season, this greatness personified, Ben Tomoloju, turns 60 on December 18, 2014.
Without doubt, Mr. Tomoloju has contributed to the development of arts and culture in our country. In particular, he pioneered culture journalism in Nigeria and elevated it to an art. Besides, he mentored so many in arts reporting and turned the pages of The Guardian into a rigorous intellectual forum.
Many among those whose lives he has touched therefore consider this an opportunity to celebrate a man who has dedicated his life to the promotion of arts and culture in our country. According to Jahman Anikulapo in his post on facebook, 'the goal is to use this occasion to celebrate Tomoloju and speak to the cultural values he has promoted in the last four decades. In this regard, we have lined up a number of activities for this occasion, namely: a public lecture, book presentation and stage performance of his plays'
Three Books will be presented at the main event on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20. They are
(1) FLOWERS" INTROSPECT -- a collection of Tomoloju's School Days plays
(2) JANKARIWO -- the first Nigerian print of his famous play; and
(3) BEN TOMOLOJU: ESSENTIALS OF A CULTURE COMMUNICATOR -- a collection of Reflections and Essays on Ben Tomoloju's Intervention in Arts & Culture Journalism.
Below is the full outline of the programme as announced by Jahman Anikulapo.
DAY 1: FRIDAY, Dec. 19 @ Freedom Park and UNILAG, Lagos
Dance Drama @ Amphi Theatre, Freedom Park, Lagos
5pm: "JOURNEY SO FAR: A Dance for Ben T", by a collective of dance Troupes & Guild of Nigerian Dancers (GOND)
6pm: Drama Presentation @ Amphi Theatre, Freedom Park, Lagos
6pm: "CATACLYSM", directed by Oluwafunmilayo Olubukola: feat: Theatre Students, Lagos State University
7pm: "JANKARIWO", directed by Victoria Adeniyi; feat: Theatre Arts students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife)
Venue: Arts Theatre, University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba
DAY 2: SATURDAY, Dec. 20 @ University of Lagos, Akoka
1pm: Birthday Lecture: Thoughts on the Nigerian Media in a Deadly Season, by Prof Tony Afejuku (Univ. of Benin)
Chaired by Prof, Niyi Osundare (Univ. Of New Orleans, USA)
Venues: Afe Babalola Hall
3pm: Books Presentation -- JANKARIWO; FLOWERS' INTROSPECT & BEN TOMOLOJU: ESSENTIALS OF A CULTURE COMMUNICATOR
Special Guest: Baba Fred Agbeyegbe
Venues: Afe Babalola Hall
5pm: Cocktail Reception @ Arts Theatre Foyer
7pm: Drama Presentation @ Arts Theatre, UNILAG
MujeMuje directed by Michael Ajimati feat. Creative Arts students of UNILAG
Special:
7pm: JANKARIWO, directed by Victoria Adeniyi; feat: Theatre Arts students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife)
Venue: Freedom Park, Lagos Island
DAY 3: SUNDAY Dec. 21 @ Freedom Park, Lagos
4pm: Arthouse Forum by Committee for Relevant Art, CORA
(Special: Screening of 60th Documentary Interview with Ben Tomoloju)
6pm: CONCERT & POETRY,
by Seun Olota & ExTasi Band; Segun Adefila & Crown Troupe of Africa
7pm: Flowers Introspect,
directed by Bayo Adesewo; feat. Arojah Royal Theatre Company, Abuja
8pm: IPHIGENIA FINDS AIYELALA;
directed by Sina Ayodele; feat. Theatre students of Lagos State University, LASU.
Do make it a date and be part of the rendering of paeans for a thespianic pedagogue of our time.
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