By Ayo Onikoyi

The star character in the Africa Magic original 39-episode fantasy drama titled Uriri, Seun Ajayi has opened up on his exploits in the series, revealing the challenges he faced and why he was chosen for the massive role despite his slight frame.

Uriri tells the story of a legendary warrior, Ogaga, who must confront his destiny and the darkness within while being haunted by the source of his strength. In his quest, a young maiden’s (Serome) fate becomes intertwined with his, making for a tale that oscillates between love, madness, and life.

The series features Seun Ajayi, Frank Konwea, Osarehia Oronsaye, Bobby Ekpe, and more, with Xavier Ighorodje as showrunner and executive producer.

He speaks with Potpourri of his role, challenges, plot of the film and more. EXCERPTS:

What was the inspiration behind Uriri, was it influenced by Hollywood, or did it stem from local history and culture?

That’s a great question. To be honest, the motivation behind Uriri would be best answered by the show’s creator, Xavier Ighorode. I came into the project just before filming began, so my role was centered around bringing Ogaga to life rather than shaping the story itself.

Uriri translates to power in English and is set in the 15th or 16th century (though I’d have to confirm the exact time frame). It’s a period drama deeply rooted in Urhobo history, revolving around a fearless warrior named Ogaga. He fought many battles for his people and was guided by the voices of his forefathers, most notably, the god Aziza, the spirit of the wind.

From my discussions with Xavier, I learned that the story was inspired by historical accounts from the South-South region of Nigeria. It also touches on mental health themes, particularly schizophrenia, which adds an intriguing psychological layer to the narrative.

Given that the story is deeply rooted in Urhobo culture, how did you prepare for the role, from the perspectives of language and culture of the Urhobos?

One of the biggest challenges was mastering the tonality of the Urhobo language. The meaning of words can change drastically depending on pronunciation, so getting it right was crucial. We had a dedicated language coach who worked with us extensively, both before and during filming. She ensured that our pronunciations were accurate and culturally authentic.





https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/why-i-was-chosen-to-play-ogaga-powerful-supernatural-urhobo-warrior-regardless-of-size-seun-ajayi/