OSHODI (LAGOS)
NIGERIA
13th - 18th August 2012
SUMMARY.
The Borntroway Creative Arts Project, Oshodi Chapter kicked-off with auditions, which took place at Owoseni primary school, Oshodi on August 10 2012 with lots of laughter, fun and excitement. There was a large turn-out of young hopefuls from within the Oshodi community and even outside Oshodi, one candidate came all the way from Sango-Otta!
Candidates were auditioned for their skills in dance, singing, acting and song writing. While many of the candidates thought that they were going to be auditioned on the particular talent they registered for, they were surprised when they were told to audition for all the skills. Some of them took in their strides and others just could not figure out how to blend dancing, singing and acting.
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The workshop started on August 13 2012 at Methodist nursery and primary school, Oshodi. BornTroway instructors, Ade Bantu, Segun Adefila, Daga Tollar and Ropo Ewenla were once again at the helms of affairs as far as facilitating the workshops went.
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The key words on Day 1, were waste and concentration. After the morning warm up exercises led by Segun Adefila, participants were broken into three classes namely dance, acting, songwriting/spoken word. In each of the classes the instructors used techniques specific to each art, invited participants to look at waste in a different light as a source of birth, creation and inspiration. The things that are considered waste by one person might represent opportunities and resources for another person.
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Participants spent Day 2 of the Borntroway Oshodi, August 14 2012 bonding as a group and creating material together. Based on what they had been taught on Day 1, they were guided by the instructors in writing, scripting and choreographing new material that would be used in the public performance on Friday, August 17.
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Day 3 of BornTroway Oshodi, August 15 2012, started on a high note with a surprise training session when Honourable Abolore Sobayo, Leader Oshodi Local Government Council, got down and dirty to teach the participants tie and dye. Sobayo who is a trained fashion designer and painter, showed the participants the steps involved. The participants designed and made their own tie and dye shirts with excitement and pleasure. The results were spectacular.
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Day 4 was a long and hectic day of rehearsals and preparation for the public performances. The participants alongside the instructors, used all they had learnt about song writing, scriptwriting, acting and dance to fine-tune and edit the various dance routines, songs, raps and drama skits into a single seamless 25-minute performance.
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Day 5 was an exciting wrap-up of the entire week. Friends and family of the participants came to lend their support and to see all that they had learnt as they performed at Methodist primary school and Cairo market Oshodi. The show was attended by music artiste and director Baba Dee aka Dare Fasasi. Borntroway Alumni from Ajegunle were in attendance as were members of Segun Adefila’s Crown Troupe.
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While they performed to a small audience at the Methodist primary school, the crowd that watched the performance at Cairo market Oshodi was unprecedented. With the loud raucous chaos that is typical of any Lagos market competing for attention with their audience, the participants had to overcome some initial nerves and give a spectacular performance!
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On August 18th, a day after the week-long Borntroway Oshodi workshop, the participants were taken on a surprise visit to Ultima studios in Lekki, venue for the recording of the music reality show, MTN project fame.
PHOTOS.
VIDEO.
QUESTION
OF THE DAY.
Day 1.
What does Oshodi mean to you?
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Adewale Adeshina spoke the mind of many when he said ‘It’s a place where people with different talents and character are gathered’ but this people ‘lack support and guidance to excel in various fields of expertise’ according to Oluwasegun Akinola.
Godson Chukwuka says ‘In Oshodi we have freedom of speech. No matter what people say about my area, I’m a proud product of Oshodi, a land where dreams come true only if you’re focused and prayerful’ and for Joseph Ojeriakhi ‘Generally Oshodi is assumed to be rough and a city of hoodlums but I will gladly say it is place of united and visionary people’
‘It’s my blood and my area’ says Ekun Adebayo.
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Day2
What would you like to change in Oshodi?
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For all of the participants, the main area that needs change is in the mindset and orientation of the people of Oshodi. ‘ I will like to change the way people in Oshodi think about themselves ’ – Olayemi Kolawole. For some, improving the standard of education is key, ‘I want to make sure every child has a sound education because it is the foundation for every good thing’ and for others like Joseph Sunday it was all about youth empowerment. ‘ I will create a platform for the talented youth of Oshodi to exhibit themselves and show that they have got talent’
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Day 3
What will you change in Oshodi starting from today?
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Responses included, ‘ I will share with my friends what I’ve learnt from this workshop’ – Samson Johnson. ‘ I will visit the local government office and talk to them about improving the health facilities in Oshodi’ – Blessing Ochai. ‘ I will put Oshodi in my prayers because without God, life itself is challenging’ Godson Chukwuka.