Epe Tourism Gets Boost As Solomon Bonu Hands Over Epe Theatre

By Babatunde Kaka

The Epe Theatre is a World-class Facility Found Overseas- Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo.

Papa Ajasco, others, lead cultural troupe in stage performance.

We Will Take Full Responsibility and Convert The Theatre to Cash- Hon. Adeniyi Soliu.

Without a doubt, one of the failures of successive Nigerian governments has been in setting up and ensuring the maintenance of a national performance venue for the arts and culture; and this is critically so in view of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage enshrined in its culturally diverse heterogeneous people.

Of course, there is the National Theatre at Iganmu, which has more or less been left to lie fallow since playing host to FESTAC ’77, with successive administrations even exploring the possibility of auctioning off the closest thing the country has to a performance venue for arts and culture.

This is why it came as a welcome development for the good people of Epe, whose tourism potential received an incredible boost with the official handing over of the Epe Theatre, a state of the arts facility with all the requisite amenities of the day, dedicated to hosting theatrical performances to the entertainment denizens and tourists alike.

As gathered by Eko Hot Blog, the event was sparsely attended by members of the community owing to the surge of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Notable dignitaries present at the unveiling included the Alara of Ilara kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, representatives of Oloja of Epe, Eredo LCDA Chairman, Hon. Adeniyi Soliu, APC Welfare Officer, Alhaja Bankole, Former Eredo LCDA Vice Chairman, Hon. Kenny Kadri, Epe Local Government Chief Press Secretary, Mr Mark Osifeko. Others are NYCN Epe Branch Chairman, Hon. Ladele Oluwaseyi, JEMDAS Chief Missioner, Imam Quadri Rabiu, youths, women leaders and fun-seekers.

In his remarks, Mr Solomon Bonu, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism and Culture said that the hand over ceremony was merely to provide a sneak-peek of what to expect from the ultra-modern facility. He explained that the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has to a large extent prevented the facility from operating at optimum capacity.

He also regretted the looting and vandalization of a replica of the Theatre in Oregun, which was overrun by a bunch of hoodlums during the heat of the EndSARS protest in Lagos.

READ ALSO: We Need More Industries, Infrastructure In Epe, Oba Ogunlaja Appeals To Lagos Govt

“Our mission in Epe today is to officially stage different performances having been previously commissioned and now handed over, for people to catch a glimpse of what to expect. This theatre has been commissioned for a while but some of the activities expected to kick-off were not feasible due to the COVID 19 pandemic. All of us are aware of what is obtainable during covid and as it stands, the second wave of COVID is surging gradually. If not, this place is supposed to be filled up to capacity. Four theatres were built by the government, the one at Oregun was unfortunately looted by hoodlums before being burnt during the EndSARS crisis.

“Let me reiterate that government property also belongs to us. It is meant solely for our growth and development. You will agree with me that our biggest theatre stars started their career on stage. Papa Ajasco for instance has been in the game for many decades and we also have young people who are looking up to him by learning how to stage theatre is being acted”, he said.

Handing over the facility, Mr. Solomon invited the Alara to the stage and officially did the honours of the handing over on behalf of the executive governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He stated in no uncertain terms that the facility is for the benefit of the Epe people who would be granted unrestrained access to enjoy all the theatre has to offer.

The Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo in his remarks, appreciated the Lagos State Government under the distinguished leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for handing over the monument to the good people of Epe for use. The Royal enigma and tax guru thanked all kings in the division for their incredible support and congratulated the good people of Epe for having the theatre which he described as world-class.

” I appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire State Executive council for this laudable project. While coming in, I never expected a world-class facility of this kind is in this community. This kind can be found overseas and I must give kudos to the government for presenting us with this facility. The seats, the A.C, the 3D wall designs and other materials of comfort are world-class and working in good conditions “, he said.

Also reacting to the development, Hon. Adeniyi Soliu backed the short address of the Alara of Ilara Kingdom. He thanked the SA on behalf of the five Local Government Chairmen in Epe Division and pledged the commitment of the division in ensuring that the facility is managed for the benefit of Epe people and to also maximize its revenue generating capacity.

” We assure you of taking full responsibility and we assure you of converting it to cash and revenue. It will become a major monument in Epe. Let me assure you that our youths understand that all of these things are patrimonies handed over to us by our founding fathers and the current government. We will take it seriously, maintenance will be perfect, we assure you that the five Local governments will be ready to support day to day running and maintenance “.

” In addition to that, regularly, I will hold a meeting with the five local government chairmen to set up Tourism and Culture Unit so that we can link up with the state to see how we can constantly bring programmes here so that people will understand it exists and teach our youths, mothers and fathers the cinema culture and Epe will be very lively “, he said.

Hon. Soliu seized the opportunity to restate his administration’s commitment to championing the cause of the Sungbo Eredo World Heritage site which he confidently described as very dear to his heart and as the most important tourist attraction in West Africa. He also promised to have a robust discussion with the Ministry to push the agenda forward.

Apart from the Papa Ajasco led cultural performance which rolled back the years to the legendary Hubert Ogunde days, other theatre groups, cultural displays, dance and comedy performance were staged by locals from around the community. Kuyem Theatre Troupe (KTT), Eredo Apepe Cultural Troupe, Epe Masquerade Dancers, MC Paloma and a host of other performers displayed their theatrical inclinations to the delight and excitement of the audience.

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