Thunderous applause for the ‘thunder god’

Chief (Mrs.) Abiodun Duro Ladipo with Dr.
Omololu Olunloyo, Chairman of
the occasion.

Activities marking the 30th anniversary of the demise of the theatre legend, late Duro Ladipo, began on Tuesday in Ibadan with a three-in-one celebration, reports Akintayo Abodunrin.

IF the carver doesn’t produce new calabashes, the exquisite ones he has produced will never be destroyed, thus affirm the Yoruba. And that exactly, was the case with the late dramatist, poet and musician, Duro Ladipo, known as Oba Koso on Tuesday, as Nigerians gathered to celebrate his life, works and legacies.

The occasion was the 30th anniversary of the demise of the versatile theatre legend who died on March 11, 1978. Fittingly, the event, held inside the Banquet Hall of Premier Hotel, Ibadan, was a three-in-one celebration where eminent Nigerians recounted Ladipo’s contributions to the theatre in Nigeria as well as his efforts at propagating Yoruba culture through his works.

The event attended by academics, royalties, artistes, politicians and other well meaning Nigerians, witnessed the launch of the Duro Ladipo Foundation, a memorial lecture and the launch of a book entitled Duro Ladipo: Thunder god on stage written by Dr. Remi Raji, Dr. Sola Olorunyomi and wife of the deceased, Chief (Mrs.) Duro-Ladipo.

Naturally, it was tributes galore for Duro Ladipo who, during his life time, won several national and international awards and whose ovure was a very rich one. Some of the prominent plays among the 34 written by the Osogbo, Osun State born artiste included Obakoso, Eda, Moremi, Oluweri, Oba Moro and Oba Waja.

It was, therefore, not very surprising that governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi, the culture patron, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Professors Ganiyu Fakeye, Mosunmola Omibiyi Obidike all graced the event where the late bearded artiste was loudly celebrated.

Other Nigerians of goodwill who honoured Duro Ladipo at the event included the world renowned bead painter, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola -Alao, Chief Lekan Alabi, Chief Lere Paimo, Tunbosun Oladapo, Princess Sade Adeyemi, Chief S.A. Adetunji, Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, a sister of the deceased, Chief (Mrs.) Taiye Oyelami, children of the late Duro Ladipo and several Yoruba actors and actresses.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who treated the audience to excerpts from some of Duro Ladipo’s work expressed his happiness on proceedings at the event.
In an address presented on his behalf by the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Obafemi Fagbola, the Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said although there were several academics and culture icons at the event, the occasion wasn’t enough to discuss Ladipo’s life and works. He described the late school teacher turned dramatist as a diligent man whose diligence earned him recognition within and outside Nigeria. Oyinlola, who is hosting a command performance of Moremi in Osogbo on March 20 said further that the late Ladipo’s and others’ efforts to promote and propagate Yoruba culture should be sustained by everybody.

The culture supportive governor then said he has created a Ministry of Tourism and Culture which research and documentation department is actively researching into the works of the late Duro Ladipo and others and that the public will ultimately benefit form such works.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who was represented by one of his chiefs, Femi Faloba, said Nigerians have to distinguish between culture and religion. He noted that Duro Ladipo lived his life for the promotion of Yoruba culture and that Nigerians, especially the Yoruba should emulate him by paying attention to the culture and inculcating its aspects into their children.

Speaking earlier, the surviving widow of the artiste, Chief (Mrs.) Abiodun Duro-Ladipo, said although her husband was dead, “he is still warmly remembered and his powerful influence is still felt amongst us.” Mrs. Duro-Ladipo added that the vacuum left by her husband had been hard to fill and that although Duro Ladipo wrote and produced 36 plays, it was a pity that none of the works had ever been produced into film.

She however expressed happiness that the idea of the biography and foundation which the family mooted a long time ago to promote her husband’s vision finally came into reality. “As we launch this foundation and biography, we are helping to keep his vision alive, promote Yoruba culture viz Yoruba art, poetry and language,” she said.

Oya, as she is also known, did not fail to acknowledge the sponsors of the project. She thanked Oyinlola and the Osun State government “for their moral and financial support,” the Theatre Arts Department and the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Odu’a Investment Company and other well meaning Nigerians.

Also at the event, a memorial lecture was delivered by Professor Dotun Ogundeji of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan. Delivered in Yoruba and entitled Akitiyan Duro Ladipo Lori Ere Onise Yoruba. (The efforts of Duro Ladipo on Yoruba Stage Drama), Ogundeji did a thorough analysis of the late Ladipo and his works. He dwelt on the artiste’s background, influences, works, sponsors like Ulli Beier, Suzanne Wenger and Peggy Harfer. The lecture also touched on the artiste’s influences on the likes of Jimoh Buraimoh (who openly acknowledged Ladipo’s impact on his life and career at the event), Muraina Oyelami, and Twins Seven-Seven among others.

Ambassador Segun Olusola also paid glowing tributes to the late Duro Ladipo. He said the likes of Ladipo, the late Kola Ogunmola and the late Oyin Adejobi made his job as a TV programmes producer easy when Television started in 1959.

Kayode Adeduntan reviewed the book and Yomi Duro Ladipo, one of the artistes’ children performed.

Jackson’s lawyer wins $18m damages

JacksonMichael Jackson’s former lawyer is to receive up to $18m (£9m) damages from an air charter firm that secretly filmed him and the star on a plane.

Mark Geragos sued XtraJet and its owner, Jeffrey Borer for damages after he was taped with Mr Jackson in November 2003.

Mr Geragos’ lawyer, Brian Kabateck, said: “This is an important day for lawyers who generally represent celebrities and high profile people.”

Mr Borer’s lawyer, Lloyd Kirschbaum said his client would appeal.

Mr Geragos’ colleague, Pat Harris, who was also on board the flight with the singer, was awarded between $1.25 million (£620,000) and $2.25 million (£1.1m) in damages by the Los Angeles court.

Mr Kirschbaum insisted Mr Geragos’ relationship with his famous client could not have been breached because the video recording did not have sound.

“You can’t intercept a communication without sound,” he said.

Last year, Mr. Borer and his co-defendant, Arvel Jett Reeves acknowledged they installed two digital video recorders in a Gulfstream jet that flew Mr. Jackson from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara.

Mr Jackson had been on his way to surrender to authorities on charges of molestation. He was later found not guilty.

In court papers, Judge Soussan G Bruguera said: “Defendant Borer was the mastermind behind a scheme to desecrate and exploit sacred attorney-client communications for personal profit.”