Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Popular Nollywood Director, Muyideen Oladapo, (A.K.A Lala) has announced the stage opera of ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ at Terra Kulture in Lagos.

The opera, written by Dr. Taiye Adeola, will feature a collection of top Nollywood actors and actresses including Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Branch, Dr. Tunji Sotimirin, Omowunmi Dada and Lizzy Jay.

Addressing the media in Lagos on Tuesday, Lala, who also directed the stage performance of Ola Rotimi’s play ‘Kurunmi’, said the collection of stars for the opera was a deviation from the norm, as the audience will be seeing them in another element for the first time ever. He added that the play has a 40-page script and over 140 pages of music, while the performance will feature over 80 actors and crew members.

‘Opera is a play in the form of music and art where the singers and instrumentalists perform in a theatrical way. Every line will be acted out in the form of a song. I chose to perform ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ because the message mirrors society. It’s a story that gives hope to the common man in their pursuit of destiny,’ he said.

Commenting on the play, Dr. Sotimirin assured the audience of a spectacular experience, citing that ‘This is a tiny script with a unique, significant message and dialogue being rendered for a spectacle to behold. This is to celebrate the common man’s voice to equip themselves.’

The Choreography Director, Segun Adefila,explained that the story which is about destiny and character teaches how man can influence the voice of the gods to bring destiny to life.

Speaking at the performance rehearsal, the Music Director, Adeaga Mofopefoluwa, said ‘The Gods Have Spoken is a peculiar play with a unique message for the audience. We’ve been working on the music scoresheet written by the writer and the arranger of the play, orchestrating the performance of this play. I assure the audience of a captivating performance different from what they’ve experienced.’

The producer, Olamide Oladapo, hinting that the performance will also feature something special, urged the audience to be on the lookout, ‘This is a satire and total theatre: dancing, acting, singing, with actors saying their lines in the form of songs. This will captivate and engage the audience. And I would like to add that we have something special coming on stage. I want everyone to watch out and come see,’ Oladapo said.

The opera of ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ will be at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on October 18 and 19.

On Tuesday, September 30, the energy was off the charts at Fired and Iced, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as Spotify officially launched its Greasy Tunes Café. This three-week experiential pop-up celebrates the connection between Nigerian culture, food, and music. The venue, packed with a mix of media, influencers, podcasters, music artists, and fans, set the perfect scene for the brand’s immersive new experience.

This campaign is backed by new Spotify data showing that for Nigerian Gen Z, music and food are core pillars of daily life, with Afrobeats dominating their listening habits from morning to night. Greasy Tunes Café brings this insight to life: customers can order local Nigerian meals and instantly receive a personalised Spotify playlist or podcast, curated in real-time based on their food choices.

The evening featured two exclusive fireside chats that provided intimate insight into the campaign’s vision. Spotify executives Bea Theron, Experiential Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Victor Okpala, Artiste and Label Partnership Manager for West Africa, introduced the strategy, with Theron stressing that the café is an immersive experience built on the pillars of culture, music, and food. She emphasised that Spotify’s role is clear: supporting creatives and prioritising the hyper-local storytelling essential to celebrating the people of Lagos.

‘Tonight proves the power of the youth: they build the culture here in Nigeria. The Greasy Tunes Café is our future-facing model, blending the force of Afrobeats with the authenticity of local cuisine. This isn’t just a party; it’s a strategic move to establish the new cultural future of Lagos,’ said Theron.

Okpala expanded on the café’s programming, noting that it will serve as both a launchpad for local talent and a centre for education. He highlighted plans to spotlight diverse emerging artists, citing names like Fola and Adekunle Gold. Okpala also announced specific educational moments, including an October 11th screening of a documentary on Afro-Nigerian Afro-funk and the Eyo masquerade, underscoring its commitment to Nigeria’s rich culture and musical heritage.

Following the executives’ discussion, the spotlight shifted to two of the platform’s biggest recent names: Spotify RADAR and South African artist Thakzin, and Afrobeats artist Fola, who rank among the platform’s most-streamed emerging artistes of the 2020s.

Anchored by themes of authenticity and dedication, the artistes’ fireside chat offered raw insight into their creative journey. Fola shared that success was anything far from overnight, stressing that background doesn’t define the future. ‘You have to put in the work; that is my truth,’ he said. ‘Nothing about my journey is overnight. The love I’m receiving fuels me, and my goal is clear: I’m going to take Afrobeats to the next level.’

Thakzin, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of emotion in his sound. ‘For me, music is about translating real-time feelings into rhythm,’ he explained. ‘If you’re going to push new sounds, you have to go harder, always, because that’s how you break through and move people.’

After the fireside chats concluded, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as DJ Dami Osinubi kicked off the party with electrifying sets. Guests moved to the music, captured moments, and enjoyed a true taste of Nigeria through the local food and drinks. The launch served as the perfect kick-off for the campaign, setting a high bar for the celebration of music, culture, and community ahead.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has commissioned the newly upgraded Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Kumo.

In Kumo, the First Lady received a rousing welcome as residents, youths, trade groups and students trooped out in their numbers, lining the streets to celebrate the historic commissioning.

In her remarks, Oluremi Tinubu lauded the Gombe State Government for its massive investment in healthcare, which laid the foundation for the hospital’s upgrade from a general hospital into a world-class Federal Medical Centre.

‘This facility is a clear demonstration of what visionary leadership can achieve. It will significantly improve access to quality healthcare services and stands as a testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ the First Lady noted.

She expressed optimism that Gombe would sustain its trajectory of progress and reaffirmed her commitment to amplifying the voices of the people at the national level.

‘I believe Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who has his people at heart, will continue to support our initiatives for the betterment of Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots,’ she said.

The First Lady further stressed the importance of traditional institutions in national development, calling on religious, traditional, and community leaders to partner with government in sustaining peace and driving grassroots growth.

Earlier, Senator Oluremi Tinubu paid homage to the Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Atiku, at his palace in Kumo.

In recognition of her contributions to humanity and the developmental strides brought by the Tinubu administration to Akko, Gombe and Nigeria, the Emir conferred on her the revered traditional title of ‘Sarauniyar Yakin Akko.’

The Emir described the commissioning of the FMC as a historic milestone that opens a new chapter in healthcare delivery for the people of Gombe State.

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, Member representing Akko Federal Constituency, commended President Tinubu for the numerous interventions in Gombe.

He reiterated the position of Gombe as a stronghold of the APC and pledged continued support for the President’s administration, assuring the people’s readiness to back his re-election bid in 2027 to consolidate ongoing gains.

EXACTLY a week ago, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, taking the title Arusa 1, being the first to be so crowned in the Arusa family of Isale Osi, Ibadan. Though a week has passed since Olubadan’s coronation, telltale signs of the ceremony remain conspicuous in the big city. Banners, billboards, lamppost banners, and signposts of different colours and sizes still adorn the streets, thus making the corners and the streets continue to wear the celebratory mood that preceded September 26. They are all signs that the revered monarch, Oba Ladoja’s ascension to the throne was welcomed by the young, the old, the high and the lowly, the indigenes and residents alike. The scenes around his celebration are such that have not been replicated around the coronation of any such top-class monarch in recent years.

But the widespread acceptance of Oba Ladoja’s reign also comes with huge expectations. There is no denying the fact that all of the indigenes, the residents of Ibadan and friends of Ibadan, who supported the coronation events, whether with cash or kind or with their physical presence, have one expectation or the other of the new monarch. Discussions around the streets of Ibadan and in enlightened circles indicate that many are of the view that Ladoja would deliver the goods to the ancient city. There are those who believe that with the Oba, having shown capacity and vision as governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, the assurance is there that he would take Ibadan to greater heights.

Prof Toyin Falola, a renowned professor of African Studies, who currently chairs the Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in Humanities at the University of Texas, Austin, United States, was the guest lecturer at the first coronation lecture organised in honour of Oba Ladoja as the coronation processed flagged off last week. The professor of History, who spoke on the topic: ‘Ibadan History: Issues in Tradition and Modernity,’ told his audience that the personality of Oba Ladoja who had been successful in business and politics would bring development to Ibadan. He further submitted: ‘Though he is not the governor, the expectation of the people of Ibadan and the state is high because he has the power to influence things to be achievable.’

Falola’s message was not lost on anyone in the gathering, and those who picked up copies of the lecture afterwards. The growing trust deficit on democracy and governance among the people has failed to reassure them that the governance model would solve their problems. Many top Africans, former leaders, and scholars have also continued to raise issues about service delivery under the democratic procedures adopted by Africans. Not a few Nigerians have raised issues with service delivery in the country, which turned 65 on Wednesday. The grumblings about democratic growth, service delivery under democracy, and the capacity of the system of government to ensure the growth they need apparently fired the instinct of many in the traditional system bequeathed by their forebears. The Ibadan monarchy, one of the surviving legacies of the Yoruba/African political system, appears to provide the fillip for the people to invest their hope once again, and that should largely account for the zeal, the ceremony, the widespread unity of purpose with which every strata of Ibadanland participated in the coronation process.

The chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, would also reinforce the people’s belief in Oba Ladoja when she spoke at the reception held in respect of the coronation on Sunday. Speaking at the Civic Reception put together by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigene (CCII) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Awolowo Dosumu told the monarch to ensure his reign reignites an Ibadan renaissance. Reflecting on the scenes that pervaded the coronation ceremony, she said it was ‘the renewal of the spirit of Ibadan.’

She commended Oba Ladoja for offering to restore Ibadan’s old glory, ensure a crime-free society, and foster a city where leaders act with integrity and make the indigenes and residents feel at home, adding that: ‘These are not just words. They are a manifesto of purpose, a call to action, and a covenant with the people.’

Awolowo Dosumu also directed her message to the monarch, the Mogajis, and the people, urging the chiefs and all stakeholders to work with the Kabiyesi to achieve the lofty tasks ahead. She said: ‘As we honour Kabiyesi, we also rededicate ourselves to that vision. Let this coronation not only be the celebration of a new reign but the beginning of a new renaissance for Ibadan.’

At that same event, a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, spoke about the huge expectations on the shoulders of Arusa 1. He told the monarch to build on the administrative legacies of Late Oba Akinyele and Oba Oloyede Asanike, adding that the two monarchs made significant impacts in the growth of Ibadan. He specifically praised Oba Akinyele for bringing wisdom and scholarship to bear on the palace during his reign, while, according to him, Oba Asanike’s sense of humour and native intelligence guaranteed the stability of Ibadanland.

He submitted: ‘Oba Ladoja should learn from Olubadan Akinyele, who brought wisdom and scholarship to the palace. Also, he should learn from Olubadan Asanike, who chose humour and native intelligence to bring change and stability.’

The first words of Oba Ladoja upon receiving the staff and instruments of office on September 26 also did not let the people down. He spoke to President Bola Tinubu as a friend and repeated the key demand of the Ibadan people for Ibadan State. He even asked the people to rise and thank the president for accepting the request. Besides that, the monarch has also expressed his readiness to ensure that institutions operating within Ibadanland contribute to the city’s economy by providing jobs for the people. He also said at the Civic reception that he planned to grow the economy of not only Ibadan but Oyo State as a whole, adding that he would ensure an enabling environment for investors.

He said: ‘The major assignment before me as Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland. The status of Olubadan is not about the wearing of status but ensuring the all-round growth of the town. To achieve this feat, I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintain their pace-setter status.

‘We are all governing Ibadan. I am just the coordinator. You people are the small Olubadans; I am the big Olubadan. Ibadan will be greater by God’s grace and with your support. I am now the king of all religious groups in Ibadan. We have never had a record of religious crisis in Ibadan because members of the various religious groups are represented in each family in Ibadanland. Ibadan is a fertile land for investment and economic growth. It shall continue to be well with Ibadan.’

With those words coming from the new Olubadan, it is not in doubt that he is well abreast of the tasks ahead. The Olubadan must bring his weight to bear on the growing social vices, which are becoming commonplace not only in Ibadan but in our society across the land. Ibadan is also home to several moribund companies and dying industrial estates. Ogun State is already leveraging on the access provided by the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to site several multi-million industries; Ibadan and Oyo State can take a cue. Not a few residents and indigenes who celebrated the ascension of Oba Ladoja to the throne would be thrilled to see the monarch take efforts in reviving most, if not all, of the dead industries which made Ibadan thick in the days of old.