Encomium
It was the beauty of theatre, that was brought alive, in Ososa, Odogbolu local government area of Ogun state, on Friday, April 24, 2015, as the children of the late legend, and the doyen of theatre practice in Nigeria, Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, remembered him, 25 years after his death.
The occasion was the grand memorial of the theatre guru, who reigned like a colossus, until he passed away in a London hospital on April 4, 1990. The event, which also witnessed the commissioning of A living historic Museum in his honour, was well attended by icons of theatre industry, who presented their different group artistic performances, which include, Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) and the newly formed TAMPAN, as they re-enacted the life and works of the pioneer director of the National Troupe of Nigeria.
As Ogunde’s didactic and critical music blared through the public address systems, at the anniversary arena, it really depicted late Hubert Ogunde, not just as a theatre practitioner, but also as an outstanding musician, composer and a social critic, who fought relentlessly, against injustice and oppression, as his musical work were recorded in 95 sound tracks, compiled into 13 audio CDs after his death.
Amid encomiums by actors, government officials, and traditional rulers, The Ogunde Museum was commissioned with promises by the Ogun State Government, as represented by the Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Yewande Amusan, to partner private investors in the development of tourism and culture.
Speaking on behalf of the Ogunde family, one of the daughters, Mrs. Victoria Oloruntegbe, stressed the importance of the museum, which she said was inevitable in cementing the memory of the patriarch. She expressly stressed the fact that, the film equipment and works of Ogunde are perfectly intact, and that it is pertinent to state that, the museum we are gathered to commission, is the personal apartment of late Hubert Ogunde, with all the compilations, arrangements and expenses, borne by the Ogunde family.
This is a dream come true and a promise fulfilled as pledged during his 20th remembrance anniversary. The Museum houses all Ogunde’s works, including, songs, pamphlets of his plays, costumes, drums, drama equipment, and personal effects…
