A scene from the movie
A historical movie on Lagos State, Eko: Iwure Olofin (The Blessing of Olofin), will premiere today, as part of activities to mark the celebration of Lagos @ 50
Inspired by the controversy surrounding the early narratives of Lagos, the star-studded movie subtitled in English, French and German captures the life and times of Olofin, the founder of Lagos.
It is the first of a trilogy comprising ––“Eko: The Reign Of The Obas” (on the life and times of all Lagos Obas); and Eko: Governments In Power.”
Eko: Iwure Olofin, produced by Fola Onifade and directed by Femi Bright narrates how Olofin (Yemi Blaq), a brave Ile-Ife Prince leaves his ancestral home in pursuit of fame and glory, as was the common practice then. Olofin was told by the diviner, Adifala, (Peter Fatomilola) to leave Ile-Ife with his wife Ajaye (Kehinde Fasuyi) and follow a calabash on a river journey. He was instructed to settle in the land surrounding the river where the calabash sinks.
He proceeded on the journey with his wife, his diviner Awopegba (Oba Oriola) and 32 other retainers. When they got to Ijebu, the calabash stops moving. Olofin and his people stayed for a while before proceeding to a place and the calabash sank; they established a settlement and called themselves Awori.
Forty-nine weeks later, the calabash resurfaced and moved on. Leaving part of their entourage behind to affirm that Olofin was at the settlement, the place was name Isheri Olofin (to bear witness that Olofin was here). They followed the calabash to Iddo, where it finally sank.
The Bini travelling between Bini and Dahomey joined Olofin and his people in their new settlement. After many years of peaceful coexistence, Aina Agan, (Bukky Wright) –– a wealthy and powerful woman –– had a clash with Olofin and his children. Accused of witchcraft and her assets about to be confiscated, the woman ran to Oba of Bini who sent a delegation on a fact-finding mission.