Winners emerged in the grand finale of the Beeta Playwright Competition held on 7 February, 2024, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. The event which was sponsored by the MTN Foundation saw the top ten finalists compete for the winning position as they battled in displays of literary prowess.
In a remarkable victory, Olaide Nurat Mohammed, a native of Kwara with roots in Lagos, clinched the coveted title. Olaide’s journey into the world of playwriting commenced at the tender age of seven while attending primary school in Lagos. She fondly recalls utilizing her writing notebook to sketch diverse characters and narrate stories to her friends, weaving tales inspired by these characters.
Her exceptional talent and dedication have now been recognized as she emerged victorious, claiming a host of incredible prizes, including a $3,000 cheque, a brand new laptop, a three-month resident visit visa to the United Kingdom and other valuable rewards. Mohammed expressed her excitement and gratitude, stating, “I am very excited, and I am grateful to God and the organizers of this event. This marks my third participation in the Beeta playwright competition. Although I made it to the top 10 in 2021, I did not secure the win.”
Reflecting on her achievement amidst fierce competition, Mohammed revealed feeling overwhelmed to stand out among the over 900 entries received in this year’s contest. In offering advice to aspiring playwrights, she encouraged them to persevere and never give up on their dreams. Mohammed expressed her eagerness to continue on this path, emphasizing that play writing has always been her passion. Her win serves as inspiration to others, illustrating the rewards of dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for storytelling.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, emphasized the need to commit to art and culture in Nigeria. “This is the third edition that the MTN Foundation has done with Beeta Universal Arts Foundation, and over the years, many talents have been unveiled and their careers shaped greatly. We at MTN Foundation are committed to giving a platform for these young talents to thrive,” she said.
Among the distinguished attendees also were Mrs. Solate Ovundah-Akarolo, the CEO of Five2 Media; Dele Momodu, the CEO of Ovation International; Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation; Adokiye Ikpoki, the Managing Director/CEO of Chairborne Global Services Limited; Chioma Omeruah, popularly known as Chi Gurl, an accomplished actress and comedian; and the talented actress, Omowunmi Dada.
