The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the demise of one of the theatre icon in Nigeria, Chief Duro Ladipo (Obakoso) took place at the Centre for Black Culture, Abere Osogbo on Tuesday.
He may have been forgotten by those who are supposed to immortalise him but Obakoso’ still lives in the hearts of those who loved him.
Here was a man who took our culture to Brazil and United Kingdom in the 1960s.
According to Mama Abiodun Duro-Ladipo aka Moremi Ajasoro, the showcase of Yoruba culture abroad did not earn any recognition from the government then and now.
She narrated how the government and the people neglected them before and after the death of her husband on March 10, 1978 at and unripe age of 47.
She appreciated the role of the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. She said after she has gone round to seek help from the high and mighty especially in Yoruba land, there was none to assist her family.
Moremi said, “I went to the people whom I thought could be of help but no one, I don’t know the offence Duro Ladipo committed to warrant this neglect including from the state government.â€
She went further, “Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was a God sent to our family. He gave me the money I spent to prosecute Moremi Ajasoro film. He was instrumental to the venue (Centre for Black Culture) we are using today at Abere. He has also promised to erect a befitting tomb for my husband in Osogbo which he has already started. God will continue to bless him.â€
She went back to the memory lane on what her husband has contributed for the promotion of Yoruba culture and African culture in general at the Commonwealth in 1965 in which their group came first.
According to her, “we went to the Commonwealth in 1965, the only thing we got from the government was Commendation Letters given to my husband and other members of the troupe. I told my husband to call the attention of other members to let them know what was in the letter that no monetary reward attached.â€
“The only reward we got from the government was a commendation I can summarise here, “Well-done, you have gone and come back, we salute you for making Nigeria and Africa proud at the Commonwealth by coming first among the participants. We hope if we invite you again you will honour our invitation†That was all we got from the government.
Before we left for United Kingdom we went to buy our costumes at Ibadan on credit, other participants from Igbo and Hausa were sponsored by their various governments. They did nothing for us in Yoruba land. It was only when we got to London that we were given two pounds each for food. As at that time, the money was not enough, we had to start looking around for where food was cheaper under the winter.
That is why I said I don’t know what Duro Ladipo did to them to merit this. They are ingrate. If you did anything for Nigeria, it is a waste.
“There is God, if man refused to render help God will showcase himself as He is doing through some family friends.
“The heavy burden on me has been lifted with the assistance of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola for a befitting tomb for my husband at Osogbo. A round of applause for God and Prince Oyinlola. I want the tomb to be a tourist centre. Many people had been asking me, where was Duro Ladipo buried? Shame would not allow me to tell anyone but now that Prince Oyinlola has started the work, I pray that God assist him to complete it as he has promised.â€
READ ALSO: Update: Nigerian Army wades into the killing at Car Park in Ibadan
The Centre for Black Culture auditorium was filled to capacity with the likes of Prof. Kola Oyewo, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr. Mrs. Adeola Adeleye, Dr. Sesan Azeez, Dr. Sola Olorunyomi, Adesoji Omosebi (SOJ Worldwide) and a host of others.
www.sojworld.com © March 14, 2018
Leave a Reply