Wàkáá: A musical periscoping Nigeria

As part of the Independence Day celebration, Abuja residents were treated to a six-day dose of Wàkáá!: The musical by Bolanle Austen-Peters Production from September 25th to 29th and then on October 2nd.  The performances which held at the Regent School and climaxed at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel had a potpourri […]

As part of the Independence Day celebration, Abuja residents were treated to a six-day dose of Wàkáá!: The musical by Bolanle Austen-Peters Production from September 25th to 29th and then on October 2nd. 

The performances which held at the Regent School and climaxed at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel had a potpourri of audiences from every day Nigerians to the political class and elites including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Senate President Bukola Saraki. 

The satirical piece, woven around the lives of young graduates and their experiences – good and bad – of love, friendship and family ties among others, critiqued Nigeria’s leadership with a combination of humour and several scenes which called for reflection and redress, all delivered in drama, dance, music and costumes. 

As guests threw their heads back in laughter accompanied by applauses, echoes of ‘wow’ and cheers, they were jerked back to reality as Wàkáá! replicated events which have set Nigeria back like the deceit of politicians, corruption and internet exploration for love, as well as unemployment and poverty which are some of the major factors that have fuelled brain drain in the country and led to massive exodus for ‘greener pastures’ across the Mediterranean even if it means a certified medical doctor ends up working as a security guard in a London-based company. Afterall, he is abroad. 

Wàkáá! was also a platform which showed off Nigeria’s raw theatre talents and exposed many new faces on the block. Youngsters like Patrick Diabuah who played the character, Tosan, featured alongside masters like Bimbo Manuel who played the corrupt stomach infrastructure-focused Chief Sagay with promises to provide everything for the electorates free of charge if elected. But typical of the Nigerian story, does nothing and dares to vie for a second term. 

Seemingly oblivious of his non-performance, his second campaign is riddled with aspirations of buying a Bombardier jet to avoid traffic gridlocks and a helicopter to enable him have aerial view of the challenges in his state; the height of frivolity and underestimation of the intelligence of the populace. 

Amidst the accolades it has received from the likes of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who watched it, ‘Wàkáá!’s call for good governance and accountability was loud and clear. 

Wàkáá has shown no less than 57 times since it premiered and has been watched by audiences in Nigeria and London.