Aiye-ko-ooto’s ‘The Noble Warrior’ returns to Glover Hall July 11
By Editor
WRITTEN in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka, The Noble Warriors extols the personality traits of the inimitable professor of literature who turns 91 on July 13, 2025 and raising the bar in this sophomore edition with the addition of more dance, drama and drums into an already mesmeric storyline. Eni Ogun is a suspense-filled Black musical theatre production.
This July, lovers of inspiring stories and enlivening theatre productions in Lagos are in for a big treat. It’s the re-enactment of the internationally acclaimed stage play The Noble Warrior (Eni Ogun), written by Nigerian-American playwright, poet, and producer, Cash Onadele, also known as Aiye-ko-ooto. Scheduled to run from July 11 through 13 at the historic Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, the production will feature two shows daily— Matinee at 3.00pm and Champagne at 6.00pm. Samuel Osaze serves as the Programme Director.
At a recent briefing in Lagos, Cash Onadele stated that Syndk8ml has received endorsements from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). While anticipating more sponsorships, partnerships, and endorsements, Onadele noted that the 2024 production was a success under the artistic direction of Segun Adefila. He hopes to build on that momentum to ensure African creativity thrives on a global scale, continuing to celebrate the enigmatic literary legend annually.
Aiye-ko-ooto also shed light on plans to engage the next generation of theatre lovers, saying, “Actually, there is currently a plan”, outlining initiatives to bring the production to the University of Lagos, and potentially the University of Ibadan. “With UNILAG’s ample seating capacity, all tertiary institutions in the vicinity could attend. Students with valid ID cards will benefit from significant discounts, making this rich cultural experience accessible to a wider youth audience. This initiative, focused on youth development and integration, is a key way the production aims to give back. We are actively seeking sponsors to bring it to fruition.”
Premiered last year in Abeokuta at the Cultural Centre and in Lagos at the prestigious MUSON Centre, The Noble Warrior returns bigger, blacker, and better—enhanced with fresh dimensions and seasoned with more dance, drama, and drums, making it even more spellbinding and suspenseful for audiences across all social strata.
Programme Director for The Nobel Warrior Mr. Osaze Samuel (left) and playwright Mr. Oladele Onadeko (Aiye-oko-ooto)
