Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
The late Hubert Ogunde in one of his films
Mr Micheal Okorie, the Managing Director, Troopers Arts Production, says his troupe is ready to revive the late Hubert Ogunde’s Alarinjo mobile theatre style.
Okorie told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the revival of Ogunde’s mobile theatre pattern would ensure that Nigeria’s various cultural practices were transported across different locations.
The late Ogunde, who founded the first contemporary professional theatrical company in Nigeria, is described as the father of Nigerian theatre.
The playwright, actor and musician who died at 73 in 1990, wrote more than 50 plays during his career on stage to reflect the political and social realities of the times.
Okorie said the Alarinjo travelling Theatre gave room for troupes to travel from one town to another; staging plays for people and affecting the needed transformation and reorientation.
He noted that the development would revive Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and familiarise Nigerians with cultural practices across the nation.
According to him, the revival of such travelling theatre will also entertain; starting with the staging of a play titled “Ekun Iya Agba’’, which will be staged in three different locations.
“ The motive behind the programme is that we observed that our youth have really lost touch with our deities.
“So, we need to bring them back and make the youths see the relevance of our deities and culture in modern times; this is embedded in the play.
“ The play will be staged in king’s palaces across the southwestern states, while will begin at His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbolahan Timson’s Palace, on Aug. 2.
“It will be staged later at Oba Tobaran’s Palace, at Isale Eko on Aug. 3, at 4.00p.m.; while another one holds at Freedom Park, Aug. 4, at 7.00 p.m.
“We will make sure this culture of transporting, educating and entertaining plays is promoted and developed over time,” Okorie said.
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