Screening of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Related Engagements
In May 2024, we elevated our monthly #ThursdayTalks series with a landmark event: the screening of the film Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in partnership with Silverbird Cinemas. This special edition was a blend of cinema and civic dialogue, designed to inspire citizens through the power of storytelling.
Highlights of the May Screening
The event featured a post-screening conversation moderated by Abosede George-Ogan, Executive Director of WILAN Global, with a distinguished panel including:
- Seun Kuti, grandson of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and renowned musician.
- Wemimo Adewunmi, a women’s rights advocate and mobilizer with WARDC.
- Tolulope Hicks and Toluwalope Eyikogbe David, UNILAG student activists.
- A special guest appearance by Bolanle Austin-Peters, the movie’s director, added depth to the discussions as she fielded questions from an enthusiastic audience.
The event also showcased our online civic-tech platform, shineyoureye.org, and provided attendees with Office of the Citizen (OOTC) passports, reinforcing our commitment to empowering citizens with knowledge and tools for active engagement.
Expanding the Impact: Democracy Day Screenings
Building on the success of the May edition, we partnered with BAP Productions, the movie’s producers, and WARDC to celebrate Democracy Day with expanded screenings across three cities: Abeokuta, Abuja, and Lagos.
Each screening was followed by dynamic panel discussions featuring distinguished speakers such as:
- Seun Onigbinde, Global Director, BudgIT
- Victoria Oladipo, Founder of LearnPolitics
- Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa
- Idara Michael, National Vice President, Southwest 1, JCI Nigeria
- Funmi Efuwape, Commissioner for Special Duties, Ogun State.
These panels explored how Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s activism could inspire collective action and foster positive change in contemporary Nigeria.
Key Takeaways
The screenings and discussions underscored the significance of storytelling and role models in mobilizing Nigerians to engage with governance issues. For BudgIT’s Country Director, Gabriel Okeowo, this was “the best edition in all the years of #ThursdayTalks.”
The widespread enthusiasm from attendees reaffirmed the transformative potential of such initiatives, as the movie and discussions inspired both reflection and action.
Conclusion
Our collaboration with Silverbird Cinemas, BAP Productions, and WARDC exemplifies the power of partnerships in driving civic engagement. As we continue to innovate, we are confident that future editions of #ThursdayTalks will further amplify citizen participation in governance and accountability.