By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Arrangements have been concluded for the notable business mogul and Chairman of Solutions 93.9 Fm, Aare Onibon Balogun Ile Ibadan, Oloye Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke to chair the Invitational Premiere of Oko Iyawo (The Groom) produced and directed by the popular Nollywood actor, Otunba Akintola Lewis.
This was sealed when the planning committee of the event led by Otunba (Dr) Akin Lewis paid a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.
Others are former deputy CBN governor and 2019 gubernatorial candidate under the umbrella of APC, Chief Bayo Adelabu as chief host, we also have in the list of a great philanthropist, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Agidi as the father of the occasion while His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja ll), Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Micheal Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya 11. (Elerinmo of Erinmo Kingdom) and Oba Dr. Olagoke Adisa Akinola Oyeyode 111 (Oranmiyan of Oko Kingdom) are royal fathers of the occasion.
Others expected to be at the occasion are the cream de la cream of the society, movers and shakers in the film industry, and a host of others.
“Oko-Iyawo” is a comedy movie produced and directed by Otunba Akin Lewis. The story is around Chief Ifaseyi, a married man of many years with two children and living happily with his wife. Not too rich until his girlfriend of so many years decided to marry him as she just won a multi-million naira contract. His wife resisted but finally succumbed to pressure from his friends. Ifaseyi and the new lover got married and lived truly in opulence – money, a new house, cars etc. All was well until Ifaseyi decided to divorce the new wife, then hell broke loose!
The producer, Otunba (Dr) Akintola Akin-Lewis-MA, Fta, Tdq, PhD, started his professional career in theatre in 1973 when he joined Odu Themes, a theatre group led by Prof. Bode Sowande of the then Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan. He later trained at the University of Ife where he obtained a distinction under the tutelage of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Sunbo Marinho, Chuck Mike and many others. He also perfected his craft on the Wole Soyinka theatre stage at the University of Ibadan under Dr Zulu Sofola, Bayo Odunneye (Uncle B) and Prof. Bode Sowande.
Akin Lewis bagged an MA in Theatre (Acting and Directing) from Sofia Bulgaria and a PGD in Marketing Communications from the University of Lagos. He was recently awarded Honourary Doctorate degree (HONORS CAUSA) in Politics and Social Human Development by SANCTI PAULI LUTHERAN INSTITUTE FRANCE.
In recognition of his 49 years of service in the industry, he was conferred with the award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (FTA) by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
Akin Lewis has acted in several stage plays at home and abroad which include BIKO’s INQUEST, WEDLOCK OF THE GODS, THE NIGHT BEFORE, KURUNMI, AND MACBETH.
He later joined NTV IBADAN in 1977 where he further trained as an Actor, Producer and Director. He is renowned for his role in WHY WORRY THE LION AND KOKO CLOSE. He relocated to Lagos and gained worldwide fame for his roles in MNET’ series TINSEL, HOTEL MAJESTIC, THE BRETHREN as well as numerous genres of films in Yoruba language cuz MADAM DEAREST, ALANTAKUN AND WERE ALASO.
His English language movies include YOUR EXCELLENCY, KING OF BOYS 1 and II etc. Akin Lewis also excelled in the corporate world where he worked at Directorate levels in GLOBACOM LTD., CENTRESPREAD FCB (Advertising & PR), OMEGA Bank and CMC CONNECT LTD. (PR).
He was Rector of Graig Davies College of Technology which offered media studies in Lagos. Akin Lewis served in the ministry as an ordained Evangelist all over Africa. He is a Polyglot and widely travelled at home and abroad.
He is the scion of the house of Abraham Davie Lewis of Owu Egba and later of Olowogbowo Lagos and also of the house of Adedoja Ekolo of Oke-Odo Ibadan.
He is happily married with children.
The Invitational Premiere is scheduled to hold at the prestigious hall of Mauve 21, MKO Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan on the 8th of May, 2022 by 2pm prompt. The red carpet starts by 1pm.
The event is to be packaged by Apreel1 Events Management.
