What HS Studios’ Taye Ige Said At The Tomi Falade Book Party 2.0
By Tomi Falade
It began as an intimate cocktail affair, but quickly transformed into a masterclass in cultural preservation as media executive and HS Media Group CEO, Taye Ige, took the stage to toast one of journalism’s formidable storytellers at the much-anticipated Tomi Falade Book Party 2.0. Unveiling two brand-new dramatic plays, Aláyémọ̀rẹ: The Twice-Crowned King and Orompotoniyun: 12 Nights for a Crown, the evening celebrated not just the release of fresh literature, but the blossoming of an author who gracefully bridges the gap between modern relationship banter and deep-seated Yoruba royalty.
Stealing the spotlight with a touch of lighthearted wit, Ige charmed the room by revealing that despite their shared professional roots in journalism, English literature, and a deep ancestral connection to Efon-Alaye in Ekiti State, Falade’s personal book inscription playfully styled him as an acquaintance. “I had intended to introduce myself as Tomi’s good friend,” Ige remarked. “However, when she presented me with autographed copies of her first two books, she described me in the inscription simply as her ‘acquaintance.’ So, in the interest of literary accuracy, and because one must never publicly contradict an author at her own book presentation, I stand before you today as Tomi Falade’s very proud acquaintance.” He went on to underscore the deeper purpose behind their shared vocation, adding, “That shared intellectual and professional background has taught us that words do far more than entertain: they document society, interrogate the present, recover memory and preserve human experience.”
Praising her remarkable narrative versatility, Ige juxtaposed the sharp, relatable humour of her earlier work, Dates from Hell, against the demanding historical rigour of her Yoruba heritage plays, including ỌLỌ́BÙN: Matriarch of Ondo, Mother of Legacy. “Placed side by side, those two books reveal something important about Tomi Falade. She is not confined to one literary register,” Ige observed. Turning his attention to her latest release, Aláyémọ̀rẹ, he drew a thought-provoking parallel between ancient Efon-Alaye tradition and modern Nigerian political history, referencing leaders like General Olusegun Obasanjo and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. “Their journeys remind us that power can depart and return; that a leader may be called upon, or may seek, to serve in a different age, under altered circumstances and with an entirely different source of legitimacy,” he explained. “A story rooted in the traditional institution of Efon-Alaye can still provoke reflection on leadership, legitimacy, transition, restoration and the changing character of political authority in modern Nigeria.”
For a writer balancing the relentless daily grind of active journalism with the meticulous art of historical reclamation, publishing four works in a short span stands as a testament to sheer discipline and creative bravery. Ige noted that journalism remains a demanding profession, making Falade’s achievement all the more extraordinary as she steps up as a key guardian of heritage. “Through one work after another, she is emerging as a literary custodian of important stories that might otherwise remain inaccessible or gradually disappear from public consciousness,” Ige declared to warm applause.
Closing his remarks, he offered an inspiring toast for the future of her dramatic works: “May these new works travel far beyond this gathering. May they find readers across generations, stimulate renewed interest in our history and ultimately find expression beyond the printed page—on stage and on screen.”
