Movie about street children ‘The Oratory’ set for Lagos screening

‘The Oratory‘, a movie about the plight of street children, is set to premiere in Lagos.

John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, archbishop emeritus of Abuja, is to host the screening on December 12.

‘The Oratory’ is a movie spotlighting the plight of street children in Nigeria based on the story of an African-American missionary. 

The movie, directed by Obi Emelonye, was filmed in various locations in Rome, Atlanta, Lagos, and Turin.

It featured Nigerian and international movie stars such as Enyinna Nwigwe, Rich Lowe Ikenna, Shane Gilbeau, Celeste Marconte, Temidayo Akinboro, Lawrence Nwali, and Charles Ukpong.

The screening is to be held at Grand Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos.

The producer of the movie is Cyril Odia, a Nigerian priest currently serving as the rector of the Salesian House of Theology at Maynooth University in Ireland.

In a statement on Thursday, Gbenga Adebija, chairman of the organising committee, said the event would be attended by distinguished personalities.

“It is an excellent opportunity to engage with broad-ranging stakeholders and collaboratively identify solutions to the issue of displaced children,” he said.

Also speaking, Odia said the movie highlights the Salesians’ commitment to sustainable engagement with the youth.

The movie producer said the screening aims to raise awareness about the plight of displaced children in Nigeria.

“And to raise funds for various initiatives by the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) to expand the capacity to rescue and rehabilitate more children throughout Nigeria,” he added.

“We are delighted by the enthusiastic reception and rave reviews The Oratory has received around the world which is a wonderful testament to the world-class quality of the movie and the relevance of its theme”.

Premieres for ‘The Oratory’ have previously been held in Dublin, London, Lagos, Turin, Abuja, and Venice.