Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi were all in tears, while watching a theatrical display of their biographies.
Mr Joseph Edgar, Executive Chairman, Shomolu Productions Ltd, specialist in historical plays, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. According to him, others that have shed tears while watching the historical plays included Meena, a great granddaughter of Sir Ahmadu Bello, late Premier of Northern Region.
Among plays produced by the outfit are Awo, Emir Sanusi, Sardauna, Aremu and Emotan. The play, staged in Lagos, depicted the life and times of the former military head of state and civilian President of Nigeria.
“Obasanjo climbed the stage and cried; the story touched him, especially the role his mother played in his life.
“When he remembered his mother and the role she played in his life, he broke down and could not control the tears.”
Edgar said that the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, also cried while watching “Emir Sanusi”, a play that focused on his life, ascension to the throne, his removal, and life after he was deposed.
“Emir Sanusi cried because he saw his life in the eyes of others as the play relied heavily on the accounts of ‘Dogarai’ (palace guards).
“He felt that it was an extraordinary opportunity to be alive to witness people discussing what you did before your exit.
“Listening to his staff, especially palace guards, discussing his strengths and weaknesses, really touched the Emir.
“He also felt touched because Nigerians were honouring him in spite of his being dethroned,” Edgar explained.
He also spoke on why Segun Awolowo, grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Premier of Western Region, cried when he watched “Awo”, a play on the late sage.
“Segun cried at the point his grandmother was being told of the road accident that claimed the life of his father, the senior Segun Awolowo, who was Awolowo’s first son.
“The senior Segun, a lawyer, was on his way to Lagos to defend his father on treasonable felony charges when he died in a road accident.
“Junior Segun was in the womb of his mother when the father died.
“The emotional story of the tragic loss of his father threw him into a spin and he broke down.”
Edgar also spoke of Meena, great granddaughter of Ahmadu Bello, who held the title of Sardauna of Sokoto.
“Meena cried when she came face-to-face with the life of her famous great grandfather being depicted in the play “Sardauna”, staged in Abuja.He listed historical plays soon to be staged to include El-Kanemi, Ladi Kwali, Aminu Kano and Maitama Sule. Others are Queen Amina, Sultan Attahiru, Tafawa Balewa, among others. NAN
