Kunle Adelabu
Olusola Ekundayo David, the winner of the IKODASS Play Writing Competition with His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, IKODASS and some of his students at the grand finale of the 2022 Ikorodu – Oga Day. He entered the competition with the play titled, ‘O Wanbe in My Town’.
The winner of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) Play Writing Competition under the Ikorodu Literary Initiative (ILI), has been announced at the grand finale of the 31st Ikorodu – Oga Day Carnival.
Olusola Ekundayo David with the play titled, ‘O Wanbe in My Town’, was announced as the winner by the IKODASS Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, at the Ayangbure palace, venue of the annual community event, on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
With the remarkable feat, David won the star prize of N300, 000. 00, alongside performance and publishing contracts.
Abuchi Modilim with the play, ‘The Metamorphosis of The Mad Musician and His Disciples’ and John Chinyere who wrote, ‘A Lesson Learnt’, came second and third respectively, winning N100, 000 each.
According to the IKODASS technical partners, Promocom, the art scholars in different tertiary institutions graded the seven plays submitted by the applicants.
Announcing the winner to the royal fathers, political office holders, eminent personalities and residents at the grand finale ceremony, Mr Erogbogbo said:
“Recall that when this administration of IKODASS came into office about one and half years ago, we had committed to changing the narratives around Ikorodu. One of the plans through which that is going to happen is Ikorodu Literary Initiative (I.L.I.), which we announced then’, he said.
“At this event today, I am glad to say that winners of the first IKODASS Play Writing Competition under Ikorodu Literary Initiative, will be announced. All entries for the competition focused on Ikorodu because we are unapologetically Ikorodu-centric.
“I want to thank members of the academia drawn from different Universities across the country who sacrificed time to painstakingly read and score each entry for the competition together with all those who have worked assiduously behind the scene to make this happen, especially, the team from Promocom. The announcement of the winners today will only conclude the first phase”.
While stating that the play will be published and taking round the world to be performed and use it to boost Ikorodu’s image, Erogbogbo also solicited for support and partnership for the initiative to a be a success.
“The second phase is the publication of the winning play and the performance of it round the theatres of the world. We are committed to taking the winning play to the major cities of the world because it is a strong way of mainstreaming the correct narrative about Ikorodu across the world’, he said.
“We have come this far. We now need your support and partnership to go all the way. Feel free to talk to me or any exco member of IKODASS or our partners at Promocom about this project. Our doors and arms are wide open”, the IKODASS Chairman solicited.
