Asaba is my new love interest. The beautiful land with one of the most erudite kings who retains so much influence and love globally
Asaba has a dark history. A harrowing past whose bones you can still pick if you take the time to go there and dig very gently into its soil
The pain is still very apparent. You can see it in the eyes of every true-blood Asaba man
Edgar, there is no Asaba family that did not lose someone.
Edgar, my father and his brother hid on the roof
They said the war was over that we should all come out and sing and dance and welcome the troops
It was sorrow, tears and blood as Fela would say at the end of the day.
Reconciliation, rehabilitation and the other R have not totally soothed the pain
Edgar, we will fight you-he says. A young Phd holder who was suckling at the point but was told the story by his father who was there
Edgar, don’t try it. Don’t leverage our pain for ur personal gain he cries
My brother, I say to him, you should know me. Asaba will be my 33rd story and it will tell a poignant story that should finally bring closure
Like we did with Fajuyi, where we brought Donald Fajuyi and Isaac Ironsi on stage and made them hug in tears with the crowd joining them in collective tears. We will bring Nigeria to its knees in hallowed respect for the courage, resilience of the Asaba people
Prof Yerima has written one of the most emotionally charged script that i have seen. His Asaba will bring tears into the hall
I canmot wait to cry. We need this tears so that they will remind us of the need to avoid such carnage and embrace true leadership and huge love
Asaba for me signifies, the pains of Nation hood, the trauma of rebirth and the resilience of a people who have vowed to remain un bowed and uncowed as they forge ahead.
Yday I went to see the car he was killed at the National museum
I put my fingers thru the bullet holes, looked thru were he sat and imagined the volleys that passed thru his body and car
And then as I walked away with tears in my eyes, i wondered – was this retribution? Is there a link?
Whatever, Nigeria must say sorry to Asaba and we will, at the end of the Play by standing up and in united tears look towards Asaba and say – we are sorry.
Anybody can come and beat me after that, I really do not mind cos it will be a beating well deserved
Asaba is written and directed by Prof Ahmed Yerima and will play the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre this December 2025
Come with your tissue paper and be ready to cry and hug any Asaba man in the room
It would be free entry to any bonafide Asaba man, woman and child.
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: June 11, 2025
