A select group of former students of the famous theatre director, Bayo Oduneye (from home and the diaspora) paid ‘honoured visit’ to their now Octogenarian teacher and mentor at his country residence in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, recently.
Coordinated by the Technical Theatre practitioner and teacher, Dr. LaideNasir, (formerly of OOU and now of General Adebayo University (Federal University) OyeEkiti), the initiators of the programme include (from home) Dr.Solomon Iguanre, Gboyega Olomodosi, IbikunleTaiwo and LeyeFabusoro, and; (from the diaspora) Otunba and Olori Toyin Ologbosere, AbiodunIfafore, Tope Idowu, Dr. Julius Adeoye, the event featured poetry, dance and drama (Wole Soyinka’s “The Child Internationale”, directed by Oluseyi Skillful Ogungbesan) presentations by some mobilised students of OlabisiOnabanjo University, Ago Iwoye; and reflections by some ex-students of Oduneye, including the actors Taiwo Oladipo Ibikunle, Olomodosi Adegboyega Oluwatosin, Kemi Ogunsola and others.
The session was anchored by ex-Theatre Teacher at OOU, resourceful art promoter, Doyin Owobamirin, Nasir, who also became a colleague of Oduneye, at the OOU, Ago Iwoye (when Oduneye had his post-University of Ibadan retirement teaching contract with the school), said the initiative was “to honour our father and mentor who, of course, is old…. The only thing we can do is to appreciate what he has done; and make him happy and live longer”.
A bigger celebration of the former Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, and father of many Nigerian and African Theatre directors, is set for November to mark his birthday.