Did you know –
That Bolanle Austen Peters gave me the first N200k I started with after I was sacked by Nicholas
That my girlfriend at the University of Ibadan first introduced me to theatre at the famous UI theatre bf she broke my heart and cheated, which made me forget theatre for years
That Bikiya Graham Douglas reignited my passion after inviting me to her first show
That Bolanle Austen-Peters introduced me to William Benson , who has gone ahead to write and direct over 12 of my plays, the largest by anyone
That I walked up to Yemi Shodimu at Lagos TV to beg him to join Isale Eko, my early play, after being a fan since my Shomolu years
That the first sponsorship I got from First Bank, which was N200k
That Bikiya introduced me to Prof Yerima, who has done Aremu, Gowon, Emir Sanusi, Sardauna and is doing Asaba
That Herbert Wigwe is my largest single individual donor
That Chike Iroegbunam , Kola Adeshina, Ken Etete and Anchor Insurance are my most consistent
That the traditional theatre community, especially their leaders, have not accepted me and see me as a mere ‘marketer’
That Obey is looking like the fastest-selling play with over 50 tickets sold in a day, a month bf the campaign opens
An influential confidant who has sworn me to secrecy introduced me to Prof Ojo and she was the inspiration for Ladi Kwali which was writen and directed by Prof Ojo
Alibaba was the first major star who featured in my first Major production
I have hosted four major traditional rulers – Obi of Onitsha, Emir Sanusi, Dein of Agbor and Olu of Warri
We are by far the most Prolific theatre production house in the country today, with over 70 major big-budget plays
That Elvina Ibru was first picked to direct the phenomenal Anonymous Nipples, bf William Benson took it over
That I once went to Benin twice in a day to chase the late Capt Hosa for Emotan and still didn’t see him
That Chief Ibori with a phone call delived over N40m thru four of his boys for Ogiame Erejuwa
That Senator Bamidele Opeyemi is our largest single one-time donor
That His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode is the first sitting Governor to attend my play
Chief Mike Adenuga has never supported any play, even though he is a significant financial supporter of my other works
That Aliko Dangote has only supported once – Emir Sanusi, even though he is a big fan
That Femi Otedola was a significant funder of KASHIMAWO in London
That we are the largest independent employer of labour in the sector
Next year, we will use only female directors for our plays
Come and beat me
Duke of Shomolu