Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the death of the renowned playwright and literary giant, Prof. Akinwunmi Isola, as a colossal loss not only to his immediate family but to Oyo State, the Yoruba race and the world at large.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, on Saturday, said that he received the news of the death of the Ibadan-born culture ambassador and progenitor of Yoruba literature with disbelief and utter shock.
By his death, the governor said that the state had lost a venerated son of the soil, who devoted his life to the promotion of Yoruba culture through his creative works and huge contributions to the global body of knowledge.
As a student at the University of Ibadan, Isola wrote ‘Efunsetan Aniwura,’ a play the governor said had remained a timeless piece in teaching lessons on abuse of power and retribution, while he said that his epic novel, ‘O leku,’ was also evergreen.
Quoting from William Shakespeare’s book, ‘As You Like it,’ the governor said that the world was a stage, where he said Isola had played his part meritoriously and had gloriously exited to be with his maker.
Ajimobi said, “The late Prof. Ishola was also a blessing to his Alma Mata, Wesley College, Ibadan, because he composed the school anthem, which is still in use till date.
“He was a man of many parts. Not only was he a prolific writer, he was also a talented actor and astute broadcaster who churned out many plays, drama series and box office films.
“Prof Akinwumi Isola was an unabashed believer in the promotion of the Yoruba language, which he once demonstrated by being the first person to deliver a university convocation lecture in Yoruba at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, which was very unconventional.
“But, in the words of William Shakespeare ‘All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.’ Baba has played his parts and he has exited gloriously. A ku ara fe ra ku.”
The governor sympathised with the family of the late icon, whom he eulogised as a worthy son of Ibadanland, and prayed that the Lord would grant his soul a peaceful rest and his family, as well as the creative and literary communities, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Isola, a popular Nigerian playwright, actor, and scholar, died Saturday morning, in his Ibadan, Oyo State, home, aged 79.
PROF Isola known for promoting the Yoruba language, had many of his books written in Yoruba, though studied French for his first degree.
Born in Ibadan in 1939, he attended Labode Methodist School and Wesley College, and later studied at the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with a B. A. in French.
In 1978, he earned his M.A. in Yoruba literature from the University of Lagos before starting academic work as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
In 1991, he was appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Prof Isola wrote his first play, Efúnṣetán Aníwúra, during 1961 and 1962, while still a student at the University of Ibadan, which was followed by a novel O Leku.
The play said to gain popularity at one performance in Ibadan was reportedly watched by forty thousand people.
Some of his works are Efúnṣetán Aníwúra, Iyálóde Ìbàdàn, and Tinúubú, Ìyálóde Ẹgbá – 1970; Madam Tinubu – 1998; Ogún ọmọdé – 1990; Belly Bellows – 2009; and Herbert Macaulay and the Spirit of Lagos – 2009.
