MTNFoundation supports Fela and Kalakuta Queens

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Akeem Lasisi

The MTN Foundation has said that it will sponsor Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, another musical play by the Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions.

MTN, through the foundation, had earlier sponsored shows such as Kakadu the Musical and Waka the Musical.

It says its decision to sponsor Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, which chronicles Fela’s birth, rebirth, activism and marriage to his 27 wives, is part of its philosophy to help to develop the culture and entertainment industry.

At a briefing organised to announce the play that will run between December 23 and January 7 at the Terra Theatre, Lagos, the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro, said, “We launched the MTN Foundation Arts and Culture initiative in 2015 with the hope of facilitating the renaissance of the theatre dimension of arts and culture in Nigeria. The renaissance going on is remarkable and the foundation feels duty-bound to throw its weight behind it.”

According to Okoro, while Fela used music as a righteous and powerful weapon against corruption and oppression, he also became an artistic prophet whose music is still very significant, with most of the messages in his songs  relevant till date.

“It is our wish that youths and theatre productions come up in Nigeria to take the art and culture industry to enviable heights. With the likes of Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, that wish is fast becoming a reality.”

Also, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, said, “It is a huge point of pride for MTN Foundation to have past beneficiaries of the MTNF-Muson Scholarship programme being integral parts of this and other great BAP productions. This further validates the foundation’s involvement in arts and culture.”

Executive Producer and Director, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, Bolanle Austen-Peters, noted that her company was committed to playing a great role in preserving and exporting Nigeria’s rich culture.

“The unique mix of old and young acting talents, and the deliberate effort and commitment of the entire team, translate into this incredible success story and we hope to achieve even greater feats,” she said.

She thanked the management of the MTN Foundation for its continued support of the Nigerian arts and culture sector.