Yinka Davies, Wale Rubber, Ben Ogbeiwi star in The Anthem

Nigeria’s national anthem has continued to inspire patriotism since its adoption in 1978. The two-stanza song will get a gripping theatrical makeover in a new stage play, The Anthem.

The play will be staged today at the NAF Events Centre, Kado, Abuja. It stars Yinka Davies, Wale Rubber, Dayo ‘Doxa’ Benjamin-Laniyi, Lovette Otegbola, Chimela Azurunwa, Ben Ogbeiwi and Thin Tall Tony.

Speaking on The Anthem, the producer and writer, Funke Sodade, described it as an inspired production that all Nigerians must watch. “It is a very rich story about Nigeria that draws characterisation from the national anthem,” she said.

Sodade added, “we are delivering an epic tale that portrays a utopian Nigeria where fault lines do not exist. In between rehearsals, it’s been an inspired atmosphere even among the cast and crew. We are pumped up about what Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike are about to see.”

Produced by WR Productions and directed by Zara Udofia-Ejoh and Wale Sodade, The Anthem is endorsed by the National Orientation Agency and Small Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) as part of the 58th Independence Day Celebration and almost 20 years of continued democracy in Nigeria.