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FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has announced its sponsorship of the Lagos command performance of “Eni Ogun – The Noble Warrior,” a theatrical production honoring Professor Wole Soyinka. This performance is part of the celebrations marking the 90th birthday of the global literary icon and national treasure.
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Produced by Cash Onadele and directed by Oriade Adefila, “Eni Ogun – The Noble Warrior” will be performed at the Muson Centre on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
This sponsorship is a testament to FirstBank’s First@art initiative, which aims to support the Nigerian arts and cultural sector, fostering the growth and development of the nation’s creative economy. It also recognizes the significant contributions and achievements of Prof. Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate.
“Eni Ogun – The Noble Warrior” narrates the historic tale of the natives’ successful defeat of colonial forces. The story seeks to reposition historical truths, highlighting the repercussions of cultural invasions and the fight for freedom against powerful colonial oppressors. The protagonist, Oluwole, a princely noble warrior, is likened to Wole Soyinka, showcasing similar traits of resilience and humanity throughout his 90-year journey.
Toye Arulogun, the Executive Producer of the performance, stated, “FirstBank is supporting this special production of ‘The Noble Warrior’ as a tribute to a national and global literary icon, in line with the philosophy of the First@art initiative, which is dedicated to supporting the creative arts and promoting cultural development.”
FirstBank’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Folake Ani-Mumuney, expressed, “We are proud to be part of this special tribute to Professor Wole Soyinka, a true literary giant whose contributions to literature and humanity continue to inspire us all. FirstBank’s sponsorship of ‘The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun’ is our way of demonstrating our appreciation for his contributions to Nigerian literature and culture. For 130 years, FirstBank has been enabling success in the creative industry through our First@arts initiative, and ‘Eni Ogun’ is another opportunity to reinforce this impact and support small businesses.”
First@arts is FirstBank’s platform dedicated to consolidating its efforts in the arts, supporting the entire creative arts value chain, providing financing, showcasing successes, and enabling customers to explore the wealth of opportunities within the creative industry. One of the unique initiatives under the First@arts umbrella is FirstBank’s DecemberIssaVybe, which provides opportunities for memorable homecoming experiences, including festivals, family reunions, and communal engagements, bringing exciting and memorable experiences to friends and families of the Bank during December.
