The corridor in Lagos, Nigeria became once full of an target audience captivated by the vibrant artwork surrounding them, as great solo drama “Iloya” unfolded on stage.
“Iloya” is a Yoruba word meaning “the dash begins” and the repeat sheds gentle on the realities of us face whereas pursuing their dreams and the device they accumulate peace with the outcomes.
The performance – starring Segun LafUp Ogundipe as Makan – depicts a coronary heart-wrenching memoir of a consuming younger Nigerian, a prime-class graduate of petrochemical engineering, who had to cope with challenges facing as a lot as date Nigeria – from job crisis to housing shortages – in the shortly-paced metropolis of Lagos.
After securing a banking job in Lagos, Makan invites his girlfriend, Shade, to join him, correct for her to betray him in methods that break his spirit. Lost in the chaotic shortly lifestyles of Lagos, he is conned time and again, and joined the ‘Japa’bustle – searching for the proverbial greener pasture in Europe.
The play is Segun LafUp Ogundipe’s device of addressing the yelp of skills drain in Africa and the that that that it’s doubtless you’ll maybe per chance imagine that that that it’s doubtless you’ll maybe per chance imagine picks for survival.
“This play, ‘Iloya,’ offers in reality about financial battle, brain drain, and the fixed dash to discovering self, in the most uncommon device,” said Segun.
In a twist of fate, the protagonist at last lands in the UK, where he discovers that his dreams could were realized at home. as a letter from multinational firm, Shell, offering him his dream job, became once hidden by Shade.
The performance reaches an emotional crescendo with a poignant tune, reminding the target audience that regardless of the entice of leaving the nation, one’s aspirations could furthermore be executed in their place of beginning if given the appropriate opportunities.
Following the performance, target audience individuals praised the manufacturing.
“I leer this play, ‘Iloya’ as a sturdy political commentary that correct speaks to something that’s at the coronary heart of every person in this nation at the moment,” said Sunkanmi, one attendee.
“Iloya” made its debut in Cape metropolis South-Africa and Sheffield, UK respectively. The stage play returned home where it became once conceived, for an uncommon viewing in Ibadan, Nigeria’s southwest forward of the UK cities tours for summer season of 2025.