As the family and friends continue to celebrate Nigeria Stage drama and theater legend, iconic actor, Duro Ladipo has been described as Doyen Of Nigeria Stage Play.
The program that was organized to mark 43rd memorial anniversary for the playwright and musicologist who died on 11th March, 1978.
Speaking, Osun first lady, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola lauded the organizers for their part to sustaining the heritage of the Nigeria theater Icon.
Mrs Oyetola who Represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bose Oyebamiji underscored the economic capacity of the creative industry and stage drama.
The chairperson of event commended the students for their stage performance at the event.
The program that held at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, osun state capital featured the Chief Duro Ladipo Memorial Inter-Secondary School Drama Competition and Award.
Students of Fakunle Comprehensive High School Osogbo, Adventist Grammar school,Ede, Fikayo Comprehensive College, Ile Ife and those of Abolarin College, Oke Ila used their various stage dramas to emphasize the need for Unity in Nigeria, courageous leadership and knowledge for development.
The Osun state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Adebisi Obawale charged the all stakeholders in the theater industry to work for the rejuvenation of stage plays in Nigeria.
Dr Obawale urged Nigerians to incorporate their children and the younger generations into whatever they were to promote such and make it sustainable even beyond them.
Similarly, the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarinwa Aroyinkeye described the late theater icon, Chief Duro Ladipo as doyen of Nigeria stage play who won several laurel for Nigeria at the international level.
The Orangun of Oke Ila stated that the memorial event is beyond the present which he said is prepare populace for future generations.
Appraising the performance of the students, a culture enthusiast and foremost Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon charged Yoruba teachers and culture guardians in schools to interprete the Yoruba Culture and customs correctly in their plays, so as to put an end to promoting wrong impression about the culture.
Chief Elebuibon insisted that from Ifa divination, human sacrifice was never part of Yoruba tradition saying whoever engage in such is a criminal.
Earlier in her welcoming address, daughter of the late theater sage, Mrs Solabomi Duroladipo Akinsola explained that the competition with the theme,” Theater as a satirical Tools for Societal Questioning” was put together to resuscitate the dying culture of drama and stage play.
One of the Son-in-laws of the late Duro-Ladipo, and a former General Manager of Radio Nigeria Gold FM, Pastor Kayode Akinsola described the late theater maestro as an ambassador of the Yoruba culture.
At the end of the stage play, students of Abolarin College Oke Ila were adjudged the best and were presented gift items.
Similarly, former Governor of Osun State and Chairman of the Center for Black Culture and International understanding, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Executive Director of the Center, Professor Siyan Oyeweso and renowned artist, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh among others were honoured with award at the event in appreciation of the contributions.
The event was attended by government officials, top yoruba theater practitioners,culture enthusiasts and the wife of the sage, Madam Biodun Duro Ladipo Adenitan
