Eda Onile Ola is a powerful and thought-provoking stage play that explores one of life’s most important questions: What is the true value of wealth when life itself comes to an end?
Written by Ayokunle Ajisafe and Olamilekan Omololu Ariwayo, the play tells the story of a man who believes that wealth is the answer to everything. He lives a life of affluence, luxury and comfort, enjoying the privileges that money can provide while neglecting the importance of doing good. However, his understanding of life changes dramatically when he comes face to face with death.
At that moment, he discovers that death cannot be intimidated, bribed or influenced by wealth. Suddenly, the riches and power he once relied on become meaningless. With the reality of his mortality staring him in the face, he is forced to confront the life he has lived and urgently seeks a way to make amends before meeting his creator.
What makes Eda Onile Ola particularly effective is that its message is simple, but deeply relatable. It reminds the audience that wealth may make life comfortable, but it cannot buy more time, escape death or erase the consequences of how one has lived. It is a story about wealth, regret, humanity and redemption.
The writing of Ajisafe and Ariwayo is one of the play’s strongest qualities. The story is well structured and carries its message without losing the entertainment value that keeps the audience engaged. The writers have created a production that balances humour, emotion and serious reflection, making Eda Onile Ola more than just a performance to watch, but a story to think about.
The actors also deserve enormous credit for bringing the writers’ vision to life. Their performances were convincing, energetic and emotionally engaging. Each character was played with commitment, and the cast worked brilliantly together to make the story believable. The actors did not simply perform their roles; they gave life to the words of Ariwayo and Ajisafe, helping the audience connect with the message of the play.
Under the direction of Gbenga Olajide, the production comes together with greater confidence and ambition. The stage design was more impressive, the sound was better handled, and the overall production quality showed clear growth. These technical elements helped strengthen the storytelling and made the experience more immersive for the audience.
Eda Onile Ola also feels like another important step in the growth of stage theatre and entertainment in Ondo State. Following the success of Commander in Chief, another stage play written and produced by Ajisafe and Ariwayo, this new production appears to have raised the bar even further. With stronger acting, improved stage design, better sound and a story that resonates with the audience, Eda Onile Ola has succeeded in surpassing expectations.
More importantly, the consistent effort of writers and producers like Ayokunle Ajisafe and Olamilekan Omololu Ariwayo is beginning to signal a new era for live entertainment in Ondo State. Stage plays require vision, resources, organisation and, most importantly, an audience willing to experience stories beyond the screen. The growing number of productions being staged is a positive sign that the local entertainment scene is expanding and that theatre can once again become an important part of cultural life in the state.
Overall, Eda Onile Ola is a strong production with an important message. It is entertaining, reflective and emotionally engaging. It asks the audience to look beyond wealth and material success and consider the kind of life they are living and the legacy they are building.
If Commander in Chief demonstrated the potential of Ajisafe and Ariwayo as stage producers and storytellers, Eda Onile Ola shows growth, ambition and a determination to keep pushing forward. The production is another reminder that there is a growing appetite for quality stage plays in Ondo State, and with productions like this, the future of live theatre in the region looks promising.
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 