Broadcasting
MTN Foundation Brings Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman to Terra Kulture
The MTN Foundation, in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions is bringing Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman to the Terra Kulture stage.
The play which is scheduled to hold on May 13 – 16 features seasoned actors including Mawuyon Ogun, Olarotimi Fakunle, Moshood Fattah and Fares Boulos (Oyibo Rebel).
Death and the King’s Horseman is a story about colonialism and a clash of cultures which is based on a true incident that happened in Oyo State in 1946.
It tells the story of the ‘Elesin Oba’, the king’s chief horseman, who is mandated by custom to commit ritual suicide after the death of the King and Simon Pilkings, the colonial district officer, who when the king dies, decides to intervene and stop the Elesin Oba from committing ritual suicide, in what he sees as a barbaric custom.
This partnership is in furtherance of the MTN Foundation’s goal to preserve Nigerian stories while positively showcasing Nigeria’s many beautiful cultures.
Death and the King’s Horseman is one of the three theatre productions the Foundation has supported in the first half of this year. Others include Tony Wants to Marry, a drive-in theatre performance in Lagos and Abuja and Ibiom: When Doves Fly, a stage play in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on the specific relation of Death and the King’s Horseman to the Foundation’s goal, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, stated, “Death and the King’s Horseman is a very important Nigerian story.
“It is based on true events and is written by one of Nigeria’s most respected writers. It also centres a very interesting theme of cultural relativism and begs the question of whether there exists an objectively moral culture.
“Stories such as these which do not only entertain but compel reflection on who we are, what our values are or were must not be lost.
“At the MTN Foundation, we believe that while we continue to evolve as a collective, we must not lose sight of our history and culture.
“This is one of the reasons we have remained committed to both the preservation and positive projections of our stories by supporting their being handed down from generation to generation.
“In addition to the three productions already sponsored in the first half this year, we are also sponsoring OMG: The Musical and Flower. We are excited to see how these great stories will be received.”
Bolanle Austen-Peters has also shown commitment to this vision and since establishing the Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, stayed true to telling stories that are both authentically Nigerian and culturally important.
She has, however, never failed to acknowledge the role of the private sector in ensuring these stories are told excellently and express gratitude to MTN for its work in seeing to their actualisation, in spite of the challenges in the pandemic, “I want to thank MTN and all the MTN team for their continued support.
“It’s very difficult for anyone to sponsor anything in this season but somehow we all made this work.”
Death and the King’s Horseman joins the long list of successful projects the MTN Foundation has partnered with Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions on including Wakaa the Musical, Saro the Musical, Oluronbi the Musical, among others.
The organisers have emphasised strict commitment to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the State and Federal Governments and have urged everyone who intends to attend any of the shows to come wearing their face masks.
Trust Otorudo, Regional head of Smart Treasure, Lagos Operations, has said that among other reasons he found fulfilment in service to humanity, which aligns with one of the core attributes of Smart Treasure Investment, an investment platform. He noted that, this attribute fueled his passion and dedication for the platform, hence the reason he is committed to it.
By March 29, 2025, Otorudo will be one year with the ST platform and already he has touched many lives in philanthropic and charity works. This is aside all the financial and material benefits he said he has been able to achieve through his involvement with the ST project- with a great percentage of the amount committed to the ST charity course.
“Smart Treasure has made giving an easy habit for everyone who is a part of it, it comes natural to us,” Otorudo said.
“For nearly one year I have been with ST Team, it has been a very fulfilling relationship with different forms of activities. I have practically moved from being a needy to giving back to the society and this is as a result of my encounter with ST Team and I am forever grateful for that.
For Otorudo, the fact that the lives of people are being transformed for the better is enough motivation for him, and he expressed it this way: The ability to touch lives is my motivating factor- to give out to widows, the less privileged and those in need.
“At ST, we are not anti-government but partners in progress to help build an egalitarian society we can all be proud of, knowing that the government cannot do it alone.
“We cannot all be in position of power to affect lives but we can contribute to the growth of humanity through changing the lives of people, one person at a time. Which makes all the difference,” he averred.
Prior to his joining the Smart Treasure, Trust worked as a banker, contract staff for an insurance company, had a stint as a journalist and served as youth Corp member with the Nigerian Army, where he said the virtual of discipline, hardwork and service to humanity was instilled in him.
Presently, a VIP level 9 member, Otorudo advised those who were yet to register to the ST project to do so, if they are interested in changing their financial status.
He is presently on the list of Nigerians who will be visiting Dubai this July for an all-expenses paid trip, courtesy of ST Team. This is aside the numerous gifts he has been rewarded with, a car, an iphone and other high end gifts for his dedication and hard work.
Since 2023, Smart Treasure has involved itself with various charity works aimed at closing the gap between the rich and the poor in the society.
Among the ongoing projects are, ST Tech Academy, where members are being empowered with Information Technology skills; support to orphanages and schools for special children; and most recently, the salary subsidy initiative and an agricultural farm project aimed at feeding Nigerians from the proceed of agric farming.
Save the Consumers, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has condemned MultiChoice for reducing prices for its DStv and Gotv services in South Africa while hiking the same in Nigeria.
The NGO described the move as as discriminatory and exploitative.
In a statement on Sunday, Aliyu Ilias, executive director, Save the Consumers criticised the 21 percent increase in subscription fees.
The group highlighted the contradiction in MultiChoice’s pricing policies, pointing out that while Nigerian consumers are being charged more, South African subscribers are enjoying price reductions of up to 38 percent along with additional channels and improved services.
The NGO also accused MultiChoice of defying Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), directive to suspend all price adjustments pending an ongoing investigation.
“This action is not only insensitive and exploitative, but also blatantly discriminatory,“ Ilias said.
“Even more troubling is the company’s simultaneous enhancement of service offerings and reduction of prices for South African customers.
“In South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products, added new channels, and introduced features that improve the user experience, all while acknowledging the financial pressures faced by South African households.
“This double standard, lowering prices at home while increasing them in Nigeria, amounts to economic discrimination and reinforces long-standing concerns about MultiChoice’s exploitative approach toward the Nigerian market.
“It is indefensible for MultiChoice to cite inflation in Nigeria as justification for the hike while offering consumer-friendly pricing in South Africa.
“This reflects a disturbing double standard, with Nigerian consumers continuing to suffer under a near-monopolistic market structure that MultiChoice exploits with impunity.
“While MultiChoice claims the price hike is necessary to deliver “world-class content,” Nigerian subscribers still face persistent challenges that remain unaddressed despite repeated complaints.
“These include repetitive content, frequent service disruptions, and poor value for money.
“Rather than resolving these issues, MultiChoice has chosen to penalise its loyal Nigerian customers with higher prices, once again proving that profit, not service or fairness, is its primary motivation.
“Meanwhile, South African subscribers benefit from reduced pricing, such as the “Add Movies” bolt-on slashed by 38% to R49, alongside additional channels and enhanced streaming features.
Ilias also said the justification by Byron Du Plessis, chief executive officer (CEO), MultiChoice, that the changes are due to “financial pressures faced by households further demonstrates the company’s hypocritical and disingenuous treatment of Nigerian consumers, who are themselves grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis”.
“This double standard—lowering prices at home while increasing them in Nigeria—amounts to economic discrimination,” he added.
The recent demand by Abuja Municipal Area Council’s (AMAC) for a business owner in the area council to pay a N500,000 levy for owning a television set has sparked outrage across AMAC.
Nyesom Wike Minister, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria
The demand notice, which surfaced online, has triggered widespread criticism and legal challenges over excessive taxation in Nigeria.
The controversy began when AMAC issued a demand notice to Tela Network Ltd, an Abuja-based infotech firm, requiring it to pay N1 million in arrears for 2023 and 2024, a N500,000 fine, and a N500,000 levy for 2025—totaling N2 million.
The notice directed payment to a designated bank within 14 days.
In response, Tela Network Ltd, through its legal representatives, contested the levy, arguing that the company does not engage in radio or television broadcasting and should not be subject to such charges.
The firm requested AMAC to clarify the legal basis for the demand.
AMAC defended its position, citing a 2012 by-law that classifies businesses into tax categories. The council maintained that “Computer Service Generally” falls under Category B, requiring an annual TV/Radio license fee of N1 million.
The levy has drawn sharp criticism from Abuja residents and legal experts. Many describe it as an unfair financial burden, especially in light of Nigeria’s economic struggles.
Residents argue that taxation should be tied to service delivery, questioning why they should pay exorbitant fees for television ownership when public services remain inadequate.
Social media users have also condemned the levy, with many calling it excessive and exploitative.
A legal expert, Iroh, representing Tela Network Ltd, described the law as draconian and suggested it should be challenged in court.
He acknowledged that while AMAC has the authority to make by-laws, the levy’s implementation appears arbitrary and oppressive.
Liborous Oshoma, human rights lawyer criticized the tax, stating that such levies disproportionately affect low-income individuals while the wealthy often evade enforcement. He urged residents to challenge the demand legally.
Efforts to reach Emeka James, spokesperson, AMAC, were unsuccessful, further fueling speculation and frustration among the affected parties.
Authorities Seize 1842 Devices in African-Wide Cybercrime Crackdown
Police Arrest 4 Bank Staff over Alleged ₦270m Fraud, Money Laundering
Enza Raises $6.75m Seed Funding to Boost Embedded Payment Solutions Across Africa
NIMC to Prosecute Nigerians Printing ‘NIN Cards’, Says Only Slip is Legal
FG, UK FCDO, and Ghana Partner to Launch Sankore
Broadcasting2 days agoNGO Blasts MultiChoice for Tariff Hike in Nigeria, Slash in South Africa
News2 days agoNIPOST Explains Clamping Down on Illegal Logistics Services in Enugu
E-Business2 days agoOtti, Abia State Gov Promises Internet Access for all Abia Communities in 9 Months
News2 days agoNESREA Urges Nigerians to Dispose Batteries Properly to Avoid Hazards
Telecom2 days agoTelcos Mull Introduction of Different Tariff Plans for Different States
E-Financial2 days agoCITN Seeks AI to Curb Revenue Leakage in Nigeria’s Tax System
News2 days agoTony Elumelu Foundation Grants $15m to 3,000 African Entrepreneurs
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Declares War on Capital Market Fraudsters