By Onoja Baba
The historic effort to transform one of the Igala Kingdom’s most celebrated legends into an internationally acclaimed theatrical production has received significant endorsements from the traditional institutions of the Attah Igala and the Achadu Oko Attah Igala and Prime Minister of Igala Kingdom, strengthening what the producers describe as a multi-year cultural diplomacy initiative aimed at preserving African heritage while projecting Nigerian creative excellence onto the global stage.
The endorsement came during a courtesy visit by the production team of ‘Onoja Oboni: The Musical’ to the palaces of both the Attah Igala and the Achadu Oko Attah on Friday in Idah, Kogi State, where the delegation formally sought the blessings, guidance and support of the kingdom’s traditional leadership ahead of the musical’s premiere in Abuja.
The delegation, led by Builder Dr. Attabo Onu, informed the royal institutions that the visit followed an earlier communication requesting an audience with the palace to present the vision behind the project, secure official endorsement and invite the monarchs to attend the stage performance scheduled to hold in Nigeria’s capital.
Introducing members of the team, Dr. Attabo explained project is initiated by a Nigerian U.S based playwright, Paul Ugbede in collaboration with Thatch House Theatre initiative Abuja.
Attabo noted that beyond producing a stage play, the initiative seeks to preserve the rich history of the Igala people, inspire younger generations through the story of legendary warrior Onoja Oboni and position indigenous Nigerian narratives within contemporary global theatre.
He also requested royal blessings for the project, successful implementation of the project and the continued guidance of the traditional institution throughout its execution.
Receiving the delegation, the Achadu Oko Attah Igala, His Royal Highness Ali Yusuf Attama Ameadaji III, Onu Ogbo and the Prime Minister of Igala land, who later joined members of his Council of Chiefs in the palace, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely cultural intervention deserving of support.
Rather than immediately granting endorsement, the monarch requested a detailed presentation of the project, explaining that he would not lend his support to any initiative unless he was satisfied that it was truthful, historically responsible and capable of making meaningful impact.
Following an extensive presentation delivered on behalf of Executive Producer Paul Ugbede by Dr. Abraham Templeman Abeneche, the royal father expressed satisfaction with the vision of the project.
He observed that while no individual possesses exhaustive knowledge of every historical figure, the aspects of Onoja Oboni’s story known within the kingdom portray a man of uncommon resilience, hope, courage and commitment to his people.
According to the monarch, those virtues remain relevant in contemporary society and deserve to be passed on to younger generations through responsible storytelling.
He urged the production team to undertake rigorous historical research throughout the creative process to ensure that the musical reflects authentic Igala history rather than fictional distortions.
The monarch also advised the team to continually consult traditional custodians whenever clarification becomes necessary, stressing that historical accuracy must never be sacrificed for artistic convenience.
He cautioned members of the production against embellishment or deliberate alteration of historical facts, insisting that there should be neither falsehood nor unnecessary sugarcoating in telling the story.
Speaking on earlier behalf of the Achadu Oko Attah, Barrister Chief Aliu Okeme, the District Head of Ofu-Onu Omache, praised the initiative as a worthy investment in cultural preservation.
He prayed for divine provision of financial resources required to execute the ambitious project successfully and reaffirmed the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote Igala heritage.
He assured the delegation of his support and pledged to attend the Abuja premiere, while praying for unity among members of the production team and across the Igala Kingdom.
Traditional prayers were later offered by Ali Ebiloma Agenyi Achadu, while Builder Dr. Attabo, delivering the vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the monarch and members of the palace council for receiving the delegation and embracing the vision of the project.
Earlier, the delegation had also visited the Palace of the Attah Igala, where members of the monarch’s Council of Chiefs received the team on behalf of the royal institution.
Addressing the visitors, palace representatives conveyed the Attah’s blessings, noting that although the monarch was not physically present, he was spiritually represented throughout the meeting.
The palace reiterated that every genuine effort aimed at preserving and promoting Igala traditions would always receive the support of the royal institution.
During the ceremony, Patrick Ameh Achor Oboni, the Omolobo Attah, performed the traditional breaking of kola nut and offered prayers for the success of the production.
He declared that the throne’s blessings remained with the project, praying for unity among the production team, peace across Igala land, long life for the Attah and abundant resources for the successful execution of the initiative.
He also encouraged members of the team to remain receptive to the wisdom and guidance of elders as the project progresses.
At the centre of the initiative is ‘Onoja Oboni: The Musical’, a large-scale theatrical production inspired by the legendary Igala hero whose courage, leadership, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to his people have endured across generations.
Speaking with the media after the visitions, the organizers said that unlike conventional theatre productions, the project has been conceived as a long-term cultural ecosystem combining live theatre, education, digital innovation, cultural diplomacy, youth development and international collaboration.
According to them, the production is expected to reach millions of people through live performances, national tours, media partnerships, educational programmes, digital campaigns, cultural festivals, international collaborations and interactive mobile gaming.
“One of its most innovative components is the planned development of an Android and iOS mobile game that will transform the story of Onoja Oboni into an interactive experience centred on leadership, strategic thinking, resilience and overcoming adversity,” they said.
The producers believe this digital approach will introduce younger audiences to African history using technology familiar to contemporary generations while extending the life of the production beyond the theatre stage.
The project also seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy by creating opportunities for playwrights, actors, musicians, designers, historians and other creative professionals.
Plans have already been outlined for a national performance tour covering Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Enugu, the latter serving as a symbolic homecoming destination because of the historical connections between the Igala and Igbo peoples.
Beyond Nigeria, organisers have unveiled an ambitious international strategy that includes performances in the United States and the United Kingdom between 2027 and 2028.
The production is also expected to engage diplomatic missions, foreign cultural institutions, development organisations and international partners as part of broader efforts to promote Nigerian culture through cultural diplomacy.
A significant international dimension of the project is its partnership with the Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University Bloomington in the United States.
Under the arrangement, outstanding new dramatic works emerging from the initiative will be considered for presentation at the prestigious At First Sight New Works Festival, where they will undergo professional development and performance by Indiana University students, creating rare international exposure opportunities for emerging Nigerian playwrights.
The initiative further includes a National Student Playwriting Festival designed to identify and mentor young writers across Nigeria through workshops and script development programmes involving experienced theatre practitioners from both Nigeria and the United States.
Executive Producer Paul, also brings considerable international cultural experience to the project through collaborations with the Indianapolis Public Library on Ogbaniko: Stories from Home and the Indy Africa Book and Film Festival, initiatives focused on promoting African literature, film and cultural heritage internationally.
Providing strategic direction to the production is an advisory board comprising respected theatre professionals and cultural scholars from Nigeria and the United States, including Ana Candida Caveiro of Indiana University, acclaimed American playwright Andrew Black, veteran Nigerian cultural journalist Jahman Anikulapo, Lagos and Abuja Fringe Festivals Convener Kenneth Uphopho and Beeta Arts Foundation Director Bikiya Graham Douglas.
According to the producers, these partnerships position ‘Onoja Oboni: The Musical’ not merely as a theatrical production but as an evolving platform for cultural exchange, heritage preservation, creative entrepreneurship and international engagement.
As global interest in indigenous storytelling continues to grow, the endorsement by the Igala traditional institutions are expected to lend additional cultural legitimacy to a project whose ambitions extend beyond entertainment to education, diplomacy, tourism promotion and the preservation of one of Africa’s enduring historical legacies.
