ONE of the lines in the Nigeria's national anthem read, " the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain" and in line with that one of Nigeria's leading theatre production companies, Thespian Family Theatre & Productions,TFT, recently honoured veteran theatre practitioners for their unrelenting efforts at promoting theatre arts and entertainment in Nigeria.

Those honoured include Nigeria's matriarch of theatre, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; Poet, Odia Ofeimun; acclaimed theatre practitioner and Professor of Theatre Arts, Kwara State University and first African recipient of the prestigious Thalia Prize by the International Association of Theatre Critics, Professor Femi Osofisan.

Also honoured were former Artistic Director of the National Troupe, Professor Bayo Oduneye; prolific Director and theatre teacher, Jahman Anikulapo; acclaimed Writer, Journalist, Culture Activist and Actor Ben Tomoloju. Mr Tomoloju also doubles as a Playwright and Theatre Director who directed Ayo Jaiyesimi's ÌTÀN.

At the ceremony, the participants and other theatre lovers were thrilled to Ayo Jaiyesimi's ÌTÀN stage play which was a rich blend of cultural and contemporary drama, music and dance, capturing the modern day relational tension between different generations. The resounding message of 'the oneness of man' was excitingly projected and very well received by the audience at the shows that had earlier been staged at the Lagos Theatre Festival 2016 and then recently, at MUSON Centre in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, founder of Thespian Family Theatre & Productions, Ayo Jaiyesimi commended the veterans for the exemplary standards that they had set. She also applauded the cast and technical crew of ÌTÀN (the Story) stage play who thrilled theatre lovers through out the shows from February through March. She said: "Theatre is part of Nigeria's entertainment roots.

It allows us to showcase our culture and amazing talents such as the actors that performed and the veterans who did not give up on the industry. I envision the Nigerian theatre industry being recognised globally for its originality and talent base in the next few years.