Recline awhile on harvests of feats and muse on the odds of those yet undone- Wale Obadeyi.

Sat musing on my birthday (July 15), of how far I've come and the distance still before. Managed to present plays with the President of Literature and the President of Nigeria in attendance at separate times.

In this picture, I (partially hidden, in the suit) introduce Ponmile Oloyede (in glasses, right), then President of the Students Union of the University of Lagos, to Professor Wole Soyinka after a Command Perfomance of my play, "Who's Afraid of Wole Soyinka?" in October of 1998 at the Muson Centre, four days after the Professor's return from an extended exile. In the background, with the cap, is Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former M.D., Daily times and Soyinka's former student, now close friend and ally. Behind him is Ola-Okun Soyinka, the Professor's first son, a medical doctor.

Meeting The Man in Abuja after a command performance of my play, Gbanja Roulette, where he was the guest of honour. Gbanja is now part of the academic curriculum at the University of Ibadan. 

The 27th of July was the birthdate anniversary of Funmilola Iyanda, the presenter of New Dawn on NTA. Guests at the surprise party at her residence included Patrick & Iretiola Doyle, Najite Dede, Sola Salako and many others. In the picture, Funmi stands with the singer -D'Banj "Make I tell you d koko" 

The Inheritors (written and directed by Wole Oguntokun)- This stage drama first performed in December of 2003 at the Muson Centre and starring a matriarch of the Nigerian Theatre, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, will be re-staged featuring another legend of the Nigerian stage, Joke Silva, on Sunday the 27th of August. Tickets will cost N2000 each and I.D. card-bearing Students can get in for N1000 apiece. Venue is the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre and show times are 3pm and 6pm. For enquiries, call 234-1-897 1691, 234-1-813 6229 or 234-(0)806 317 9796

Funmi Iyanda the Queen of the "New Dawn" on the NTA Network, and I, Christmas 2005. Its the 27th of July as I write and its Funmilola's birthday. Again this year as in the previous one, there is a surprise party planned for her. 

Theatre League Nigeria- TLN is an association of independent and functioning Theatre Houses in Nigeria. From left- Bunmi Davies (Afrotainment), Tyronne Terrence (Rosewood Productions) , laspapi (Jasonvision) and Kayode Peters (KP Cypress). 

Remi Lagos, the fashion designer and Carl "the Wolf" Raccah, music producer: Ikeja-Lagos. 

My Cat (Mr Smith) and I- June 2006 

The Royal Court Theatre in London and the British Council facilitated a theatre workshop that took place at the JK Randle Repertory Theatre, Onikan, Lagos on Monday the 10th of July. Elyse Dodgson (left of picture), an Associate Director of Royal Court met with Nigerian playwrights, directors and producers. Seated Centre is Jogwu Adah of the British Council (Nigeria) and Niji Akanni (right), the theatre and film director. 

From left: Akeem Raji (Collective Artistes), Najite Dede (Actress and Director of the Vagina Monologues in Nigeria) and Toyin Oshinaike-(front line actor and theatre advocate).  

From left at the Royal Court/British Council Theatre Workshop: The writer- Ita Hozaife (Dr. Grave Digger; Hire more Grave Diggers), The actress- Omonor Imobhio (Vagina Monologues, Gbanja Roulette, The Other Side), Bunmi Davies-Theatre Producer and Artistic Director (Afrotainment Productions) and Sege (sic) Adeniji (Afrotainment) 

Larry Williams, the poet and veteran actor of soaps like "Winds against my soul" and "For better, For Worse" (in glasses) and Folu Agoi (far right) pay attention to a speaker.

Nduka Otiono- Journalist, University lecturer and former General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors ( far right) stands next to Ebereonwu (in the cap) the film director, actor and playwright. 

The Cultural Activist and writer, Dagga Tolar (left) engages Vikky Kankara the poet (seated) in conversation.

The Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) on Sunday the 2nd of July, organized a party in Festac Town, Lagos, to celebrate the 70th birthday of Benson Idonije, Nigeria's leading music critic and once manager of Fela Anikulapo's band, Koola Lobitos. Friends, his family and the Arts World turned out to felicitate with a great man.
In the picture, he stands with Toyin Akinosho, Secretary General of CORA. 

The elders gathered in honour of Benson Idonije- (From right) the pioneer broadcaster, Femi Asekun, music legend Steve Rhodes, Ayo Ositelu- sports commentator and now a local government chairman, and the song writer and highlife singer, Tunde Osofisan. 

Fatai Rolling Dollar, "Won kere si number" plays for Benson Idonije. Idonije was a major factor in the revival of Fatai's music career. 

Oriri, the new music phenomenon, performs at the Benson Idonije event. Y.S. Akinnibosun who played with the Afro Beat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, for many years is in the background of the picture. 

Theatre 15 of the University of Lagos, last Sunday, June 2, presented Hell's Invitation, a stage play on the dangers of the HIV Virus, directed by Kayode Peters. Theatre 15 was formed more than two decades ago by 15 students of the university long before the school authorities thought of developing a Creative Arts Department. At one time, T 15 held sway in all things drama at Unilag then came a decline and now a resurgence. Notable among its products are the P.R. Consultant-Sola Salako, the TV and Stage Director, Kayode Peters, Theatre Producer and Director Bunmi Davies, the Comedians-TEE A, Teju Babyface, Koffi and Wale Gates, and many others. 

Sisters- Ahmed Yerima's play hits the London scene. Showing on the 6th, 7th and 8th of July, it features Joke Silva, Iyabo Amoke, Teni Aofiyebi and Bukky Ajayi, at the Hackney Empire.