First Bank Partners Eko Hotel to Present ‘The Jewel’, for Easter celebration

Raheem Akingbolu

First Bank has collaborated with Eko Hotel to entertain theatre enthusiasts to mark this year’s Easter celebration.

The futuristic musical play, ‘The Jewel’, will be premiered at the Eko Hotel’s Convention Center, set in a Broadway spectacle, the play is a groundbreaking musical theatre production that redefines the stage experience.

First Bank, the premier bank in West Africa and a leading financial inclusion service provider, keyed in to the project owing largely to its known culture of showing up for arts, theatre and entertainment generally as vehicles for cultural preservation and talent development.

The highly anticipated show, was inspired by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s “The Lion and the Jewel” and Ola Rotimi’s “Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again.”

The presentation, which promises to deliver a mesmerizing blend of traditional Nigerian literary classics reimagined through innovative staging and contemporary musical arrangements, would be a two-day event on Friday April 18 and Saturday 19 at the Eko Hotel Convention Center.

Theatre critics have already labeled the production as “jaw-dropping” and a genuine attempt to redefine Broadway excellence on African soil.

Audiences should look forward to experiencing a world of wonder through cutting-edge production design, choreography, and musical direction that would keep them refreshed long afterward if not forever.

FirstBank, through its First@arts initiative, has a rich legacy of supporting the arts and championing cultural development in Nigeria, and has played pivotal roles in promoting artistic expression by providing platforms for creative minds to showcase their talents and connect with wider audiences, including potential patrons.

Similarly, Eko Hotel, known for its vibrant cultural support, has consistently championed theatre and the performing arts in the country.

Over the years, Eko Hotel has served as a premier venue for numerous acclaimed productions, including performances by some of Nigeria’s most respected theatre practitioners and companies.

In her excitement, the Director, Sales and Marketing, Eko Hotel and Suites, Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo, said “Africa shouldn’t seek permission to innovate; we can reimagine global standards in performing arts through our unique cultural lens and a powerful story telling technique.

“Theatre is not only a transformative art form; it is a potent economic engine waiting to be fully explored in Nigeria.

“Eko Hotels and Suites will continue to invent and re-invent, giving our current and prospective audiences more reasons to enjoy art in a different form. More reasons to choose us.”

She concluded that “The Jewel – this amazing piece of theatre art will leave you sold on our shows, even for future dates. It is a must watch!”

As major sponsors, FirstBank and Eko Hotels are set to thrill families with this exceptional theatrical experience this Easter holiday.

First Bank representative at the press briefing noted that the A-list bank has had decades of years supporting the entire value chain of the arts, from music to entertainment to theater performances to poetry performances, everything in between.

“We’ve always supported, and one of the things that we are really keen on doing is supporting the art – the value chain. So support for the art is not limited to say the actors, and it’s also in the lightning, the sound and technicals, because we believe in building capacity in that space to ensure that when we sponsor, when we’re part of this, we know that there are families being fed from getting involved in theater productions, and that’s really important for us.”