Baba Wande’s movie ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ set to be adapted as stage play

‘Ti Oluwa Nile’, the hit Yoruba movie by Kareem Adepoju, popularly known as Baba Wande, is set to be adapted as a stage play.

The ace actor came through with the project in 1987. In 1993, the film originally directed by Tunde Kelani made its cinematic debut.

‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ intricately weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and societal complexities, drawing viewers into a world where greed collides with tradition, and justice is sought through supernatural intervention.

It follows the gripping saga of two individuals who conspire with a corrupt chief to illegally sell ancestral land to a petroleum company for personal gain.

However, their deceit is met with fierce resistance from the community and the intervention of the oracle, embodying the land’s sacred deities.

As the true ownership of the land is revealed and consequences unfold, the chief finds himself entangled in a web of challenges that test his fate and traditional standing, leading to a climactic showdown that will determine his ultimate destiny.

In a statement, Baba Wande said the project will now be rebranded as ‘Asiyanbi: Ti Oluwa Nile’.

He said its transformation into a stage play was made possible by Aroba Groove, the cultural organisation.

“This is an historic project, even though I am the owner of the story, I must confess to you that I am more than grateful to be part of this project,” he said.

“If I am not mistaken and with my experience, this is the first time in this country that I am witnessing a story that has been adapted to a film been re-adapted to a stage play, I have not seen or heard it before in this sphere. I give progenitors and producers of this project kudos for their ingenuity. I am happy to be part of it in my lifetime, and I am fully in support”

The stage play adaptation of the movie will be directed by Ropo Ewenla, the veteran actor and movie producer.

Speaking on the project, Ewenla said: “I can assure Nigerians and the world that it’s ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ redefined. It’s an experience that I believe everyone must witness and been the inaugural director of such a project makes me proud”.