Bolanle Austen-Peters, a Nigerian lawyer and businesswoman, is the beautiful daughter of legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Afe Babalola. Bolanle
attended the International School, Ibadan and the University of Lagos for her undergraduate studies and earned a master’s degree in International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She worked with her father’s law firm before working with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights in Switzerland and later moved to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme. She founded the Nigerian arts, education and cultural organisation, Terra Kulture in 2003. With the creation of Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, she raised the bar in the theater industry with the production of SARO the Musical in 2013 and has since produced five additional plays. In December 2014 and April 2015, BAP productions produced SARO THE MUSICAL 2 at the MUSON Center. She worked as a Consultant to the Ford Foundation Lagos and helped raise millions of dollars for the Museum through Arts and Business Council. In 2015, she commenced the production of the film 93 Days, which was released in 2016 and now ruling the cinemas across Nigeria. She shares her passion and joy with the Editor, FOLORUSNHO HAMSAT. Enjoy…
You launched your first play, “Saro The Musical” in 2013, would you say the audience have come to accept your idea regarding arts and culture?
Absolutely yes. After ‘Saro The Musical’ in October 2013, we went ahead with ‘Saro 2 The Musical’ in 2014 and ‘Wakaa The Musical’ between 2015 and 2016. Our standard practice and gripping story lines have entertained our viewers and they are begging for more shows.
It is said that you love to see your works speak for you, how has the feedback been so far?
The feedback has been tremendous, our shows have been covered at both international and local media levels. The global acceptance was proved by the “Wakaa The Musical” show we staged in London earlier this year. We have sold out in all our shows, this we consider to be the greatest measure of acceptance. My decision to follow my passion as a promoter of Arts came when I realized there was no holistic cultural space in Lagos. Prior to that, I had worked as a lawyer with the United Nations in Geneva, Ethiopia and Namibia among other places.
Terra Kulture since its establishment has not fulfilled its dream in art, culture and lifestyle; what is your view?
We are working very hard to ensure all aspects of the arts get fair representation. This, we have done by setting up the language school with its main focus on teaching our three basic languages in order to preserve our heritage. We also consider literary arts to be very important, apart from the monthly book reading session that has been going on for years now with over 200 authors featured. We also stock the best collection of books, making Terra Kulture Bookstore the foremost go-to place for books and library space in Lagos. We have one of the finest Nigerian restaurants in Lagos. Our food lounge was awarded and certified Best Restaurant by TripAdvisor in 2015. In the restaurant, we focus on both traditional and continental dishes so you can have a delight of cultural delicacies.
Terra Kulture will mark 12 years in a few months. Looking back, how would you like to appreciate the past years, and partners who have been faithful?
I would like to thank our viewers, sponsors, vendors, media, actors and the BAP Productions team and all our supporters. We say a big thank you as we appreciate your consistent support.
Despite improvements in many areas, women still do not occupy many of the top decision-making positions. What do you think is responsible for this?
I think our system is beginning to recognize the ability of women and women have begun to realize their strengths as well as their potentials in every sector of the economy. With organizations such as WIMBIZ, WISCAR, Fate Foundation, IWS, Women Arise Initiative, and a lot, other women have been able to develop confidence and courage in themselves to set up big multinational businesses around the world. As regards occupying positions, I believe the government has to have some affirmative law on setting a minimum percentage.
Who are the other women that inspire your forward-looking drive apart from your mum?
There are quite a few of them out there, I believe in my WIMBIZ Founders and all successful women running homes and businesses.
What inspired your new movie, “93 Days”?
I realised there was a need to tell our own story otherwise some other persons will tell the story for us. An example is the story of our own Fela and so many stories we should tell ourselves. The victory over ebola and sacrifice of those who stood their ground to make sure millions of Nigerians survived needed to be televised, so when I saw the script, I knew I had to be part of this monumental project.
When should we expect the release of ‘93 Days’?
The Lagos premiere will take place on Tuesday 13th September, 2016. We expect everyone to rush to the cinemas for the cinema release which will start on the 16th of September, 2016. We expect Nigerians will be blown over by this incredible work of art depicting human service and bravery at its height.
Why the name,’93 Days’?
The title explains the duration between when Patrick Sawyer entered into Nigeria to the day WHO declared Nigeria Ebola free.
What was the most difficult part you had while shooting ‘93 days’?
The whole process was challenging. I can’t really downplay the role of all the structures we put together to achieve what we have just accomplished. From getting the right actors, to sponsorship, to the locations, welfare and most importantly connecting to Hollywood.
Why was Bimbo Akintola considered the perfect choice for a significant role as Dr Ameyo Adadevoh who is considered a martyr?
Bimbo Akintola is a phenomenal actor and we couldn’t have found a better person to play the role of the heroic Dr Adadevoh.
What was it like working with Hollywood star, Danny Glover?
Danny brought in the finesse and panache of a seasoned actor to this movie. He is a very talented actor and brilliant man, he brought his skills to play in interpreting his role having followed the story of the epidemic even in the United States. It was very interesting working with Danny Glover, Tim Reid and Pemon Rami who is a producer of this movie.
The movie stars both local and international acts, what motivated the selection of the cast?
We realised it was imperative to work with the most talented actors we could find, our audition process was open and we selected from the finest we could find at that time.
What was your experience while filming the movie?
I had a great time working with all the actors and the production team, it was such a great pleasure to have such a fantastic team to work with from the technical to the production team to the interactions with the media. It was a great experience.
Would you call ’93 Days’ the most challenging of your works so far, and in what terms?
I wouldn’t say it was not a challenging experience especially in the area of sponsorship and sourcing for funds but we have had more challenges with our musicals. Every single endeavour is as challenging as the other, so yes we had our tough times but ultimately we came out strong.
How would you describe yourself in simple terms?
I am a professional and I like getting things done the right way. I am a lawyer but as of today, I am more an arts promoter, director and producer.
How do you give back to the society that offered you the opportunity to excel in the midst of life’s contests?
I am a mentor in various organisations and I also donate to different foundations annually. At Terra Kulture, we have created a space that has provided a platform to not just creative and visual artists but has also been a platform for the success of actors, comedians, choreographers, musicians, dancers and performers, and set and stage designers. I am an Ambassador for the Shape Your City Initiative and British Council Ambassador too among many others.
