Follow Us on Google
With Funsho Arogundade
Journalist and writer Tomi Falade has returned with two new historical plays, Alayemore: The Twice-Crowned King and Orompotoniyun: 12 Nights For A Crown, following the success of her first two books. The new books were unveiled at an intimate event tagged ‘The Tomi Falade Book Party 2.0’ at Cafe One, in Ikeja, Lagos. The book party, a Cocktail Affair, was hosted by ace compere Gbenga Adeyinka with family, friends, colleagues, literary enthusiasts and well-wishers gathered for readings from the plays, conversations with the author, and a celebration of her latest contribution to historical storytelling.
Falade described herself as “a tool breathing life into history,” and transported the audience into imagined conversations that may have taken place during the events that shaped her stories.
Alayemore recounts the journey of Obalufon Alayemore, an Ooni of Ile-Ife who was displaced by Oranmiyan, founded Efon Alaaye (an ancient town in Ekiti State), and later returned to the throne following Oranmiyan’s departure —earning the distinction of being the twice-crowned king.
Orompotoniyun revisits the story of Ajiun Orompotoniyun, the first and only woman to rule as Alaafin of the Oyo Empire. The high-stakes, comedic historical drama takes inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Falade described it as part historical “faction,” part Shakespearean chaos, with a distinctly Oyo Empire twist.
Speaking at the event, Falade said her focus is on reimagining history and bringing lesser-known stories into the limelight. “I’ve always loved stories and I believe that Africa, Nigeria, and by extension, the Yoruba people have a wealth of stories no one is talking about. I think it is time to begin to own those stories and tell them unashamedly,” she said.
On creative liberties, Falade added: “My books are not gospel truth. Let me be clear: my plays are works of ‘faction’, not a historical thesis. I have taken deliberate creative liberties: shifting timelines, blending modern rhythms, and amplifying human drama, to create texts built for the stage. I encourage people to consult royal bards and custodians of oral tradition for the exact stories and timelines when these works pique their interest. I have merely given readers a taste of these stories and I believe that a taste is all that is needed to spark interest.”
At the book party, there were readings by familiar faces among the guests which included ad-libs and dramatisation which created an atmosphere of camaraderie. Judging by the audience’s reaction, Falade’s retellings blended humour with dramatic yet relatable characters, making the plays both entertaining and enlightening.
Falade was commended by guests for her role in preserving Yoruba history, especially for the next generation of readers who may not have access to the oral storytelling tradition that passed these stories down. Her debut, Olobun: Matriarch Of Ondo, Mother Of Legacy, a play, was selected as a Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards pick in 2025. Her sophomore work, Dates from Hell, is a collection of short, humorous stories on modern dating.
