Alaafin, Olubadan, Makinde, Kesington, Tinubu For “Agbekoya” Book Launch

By Seyifunmi Odunuga

IBADAN – Agbekoya, a drama and a play based on the farmers’ tax uprising of 1968/69, written by Yinka Folahan, a travel and leisure professional of many years with entertainment entrepreneurship interest, is scheduled to be launched, staged on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Mulberry Hall, Mauve 21 Events Center, Ring Road, Ibadan.

The actual event took place during the Military Administration of then Lt. Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo in the South West .

The uprising which was carried out by local farmers in Akanran Community in Ona Ara Local Government of Oyo State, had for many years been greatly misunderstood and misrepresented to the people in government in particular and the public in general.

According to Folahan, “Agbekoya” as a play is aimed at correcting this erroneous allusion which portrayed the farmers as rejecting outrightly, the payment of tax rather than their pursuit of liberty, injustice, equity and creating awareness for the payment of tax.

For them to be taxed by the government, the letter must ensure a proper tax fund administration, that is tax administration rather than tax compliance which means that they would “continue to pay tax as long as it will bring in the desired development.

Folahan who has traveled widely within and outside Africa is from Ibadan where he lives and work.

“Agbekoya” is his first book amongst many. He still hopes to write in other to spread the positivity in the Nigeria story everywhere he goes.

Expected at the launch are Professor Banji Akintoye (keynote speaker), His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, (Father of the Day), His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, The Olubadan of Ibadan (Host Father of the Day) and His Excellency, Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of Oyo State, (Host).

Others are Chief Adebutu Kensington (Lead Launcher), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Special Guest of Honour), Alhaji Salimon Oladiti, Chairman SAO Oil (Guest of Honour), Alhaji Mohammed Maman Nani, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS ( Canvasser) and Dr. Olusola Ayandele (Book Reviewer).