Play on Nnamdi Azikiwe to be staged in April

A play, Zik, which depicts the life and times of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President, is to be staged in Lagos in April.

The play is produced by Duke of Shomolu Foundation, a Lagos-based theatrical plays producing outfit that specialises in historical plays.

Chairman, Duke of Shomolu Foundation, Joseph Edgar in a statement issued Wednesday in Lagos, said the play would be watched by over one million people globally.

“The play will be staged in six shows in Lagos and will tour Awka, Enugu and Abuja,” the statement said.

Edgar described the play as “the biggest ever stage play in Africa”, adding that the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, would attend the show in Lagos.

Also expected at the show are Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Azikiwe’s family members including Amb. Emeka Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, Uwakwe Azikiwe and Molokwu Azikiwe.

He said that Achebe, in a letter he personally signed, confirmed his attendance of the play, revealing that it is billed to be staged April 9 and 10.

Duke of Shomolu Foundation has emerged one of Nigeria’s prolific theatre production outfits, churning out plays that showcase the lives of historical Nigerian figures.

Azikiwe is the latest in a long line of subjects that include: Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, deposed Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido, among others.

Zik is written and directed by Dr Ikechukwu Erojikwe and produced on behalf of The Duke of Shomolu Foundation by Mofoluwake Edgar, Emeka Agwu- Oju, and Olisa Adibua.