…as play immortalizing his mother premieres in Aso Rock
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that his administration would invest in the nation’s arts and culture sector, describing it as essential for the education of children and the benefit of humanity.
Speaking at the presentation of a stage play, “Abibatu Mogaji: The Play” the, President lauded the producer, Ola Awakan, for his thorough research and thoughtful presentation of the life of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
The President, who shared fond and emotional memories of his childhood and the values instilled in him by his mother, thanked the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication.
He promised to support the arts and culture sector, recognizing its importance in preserving Nigeria’s heritage and promoting its rich cultural diversity.
The President, who had to leave the State House Conference Centre midway into the presentation, pleaded for the understanding of guests, saying he had another meeting with other ECOWAS leaders, whom he said had been waiting for the meeting for three days.
He, however, handed the remaining part of hosting of the evening to Vice President Kashim Shettima, and his son, Mr Seyi Tinubu, to continue with attending to those who had come to honour the memory of his mother with him.
“I’m living Mama’s grandson, who didn’t partake in my first breakfast with Mama because my first restaurant was her breast, my first toilet was on her lap, and my first-ever bedroom was on her back. There is no way I could have been this old without that care.
“I thank Ola Awakan, he’s a very great researcher, producer and thoughtful person to have come up with this and I can see some faces of Mama’s children; Tunji Alausa and the rest of the people are here.
“I will invest in the play, nothing could have been better than rewarding a very thorough research.
“I can see Adams Oshiomhole there, they know her, many of you here know her. Tough, she’s a disciplinarian and I thank God for the gift that I had from her and that gift is an enduring one; character, determination, never to give up.
“I’m so grateful to all of you in large numbers, I will have enjoyed the audience more with you. I’ll find another opportunity to do that, but I asked for this assignment. Through your exercise and commitment, you gave it to me.
“Only 48 hours ago, they renewed my mandate as the Chairman of ECOWAS. So if they now give me assignment, I don’t have a choice, but do it.
“So Seyi, you didn’t partake in my breastfeeding, I enjoyed it better than you, so enjoy the play. I thank all of you immensely, from the bottom of my heart. I hate to have to go because that’s a great mother that I had, I know her.
“Ola Awakan and Yerima, and the members of the cast, I say thank you. We will invest in Nigeria’s culture and art for the education of our children and for the benefit of mankind and all of you.
“I thank you for sparing your evening to celebrate my mother, a great woman. Thank you”, he said.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Adams Oshiomhole and Tunji Alausa, who were also celebrants of the President’s mother’s legacy.
Meanwhile, the Producer of the play “Abibatu Mogaji: The Play”, Mr. Ola Awakan, has emphasized the need for Nigeria to focus on vital aspects such as mentorship, resilience, and good governance.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the play, Awakan noted that the character of Abibatu Mogaji embodied these essential qualities, which were crucial for the development of society.
According to Awakan, the play aimed to immortalize Mogaji’s legacy and use her attributes to inspire generations of Nigerians, both present and future.
“The nation needs to work on some vital points and those points are mentorship, resilience, good governance on the society. So these features are actually there present in the character of mama Habibatu Mogaji and we looked at it that the best way we can reach these features to the society
