Ben Tomoloju

This Proverb Ben Tomoloju Large type / large print edition

This Proverb is thematically based on intergenerational relationship, a subject matter that has featured as a major concern of the dramatist in quite a number of his works. The play tells the story of a quest for glory gone awry in a local community overwhelmed by lack-lustre leadership. Schisms, blackmail, the pursuit of selfish interests and outright insidiousness among elders impede progress and constitute a stumbling block to the genuine aspirations of younger elements of the community. The clash of interest between the old and the young opens a tragic fault- line that cracks corporate harmony and carves an anarchic pathway for an erstwhile idyllic setting.




Ben Tomoloju is one of Nigeria's most playwrights, theatre directors and a pace-setting arts journalist. Born in Ilaje, Ondo State, to the family of Chief Samuel Oladipupo and Mother-in-Celestial Olufunmilayo Tomoloju in 1954, he attended Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti for both his secondary and higher secondary education. He graduated in English and Literary Studies from the University of Ibadan in 1978 with a comprehensive training in Theatre Arts. He established the Kakaaki Performers in 1980 as a training workshop for young artistes, most of whom are now national icons. Ben is a culture activist and has represented Nigeria in major international fora in the United States of America, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Italy and Germany. His plays have also been performed in some of these countries. His published plays include Jankariwo (English and Italian), Askari, Flowers' Introspect, We Only Went in Search of Happiness, Let The Vanguards Come to Town, Just Married (a playlet) and Aminatu: The Legendary Queen of Zazzau.