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.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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