Hubert ogunde awolowo biography

An act which helped young Ogunde in later life. His graduation from Wasimi African School actually marked end of his entire formal education. He altogether spent approximately seven years acquiring formal education. As a pupil teacher, Ogunde taught in the elementary classes for eight years, an act which was predominant among few educated Nigerians at the time.

It was during this period he developed special skills for opera and folklore, which in later life launched him becoming the greatest Nigerian folklorist of all time. After about eight meritorious years in the teaching profession, it was during an holiday in Ibadan that he joined the Nigeria Police Force in December,a bid to better serve his motherland.

As a Police Constable, Ogunde was diligent and performed his duties with all his brains. It was produced under the patronage of an African Protestant sect, and it mixed biblical themes with the traditions of Yoruba dance-drama. By March,approximately four years in the Nigeria Police Force, Ogunde resigned from the Force in order to pay full attention to his passion- acting.

His passion for opera was mind-boggling. Kuyinu His co-director two days in the Police custody. The opera was staged at Glover Hall and Late Dr. The act demonstrated to the audience that colonialism was worse than normal offences that society openly punished.

Hubert ogunde awolowo biography: Olooye Hubert Adedeji Ogunde

He continued to stage plays about current events, and his authority over the masses alarmed the colonial rulers. Through his theatre, he travelled across Nigeria, conveying his idea of what the new nation should be. He had access to the masses and blended amusement and political instruction, prompting the colonial rulers to censor him multiple times.

Ogunde, like the other nationalists, used the local press to defend himself whenever he was harassed by the authorities, and the local press backed him up. In his theatre ensemble, Ogunde frequently portrayed many parts. In addition to his roles as artistic director, dance choreographer, and author, he used to drive the tour bus. Inone of his wives, Adeshewa, who also doubled as a lead actress in the company, died in an accident on the way to a performance in Ilesha.

Ogunde married 17 huberts ogunde awolowo biography and produced more than 20 children, all of whom were active members of the troupe in various capacities, just like his wife. The Western Region was in crisis a few years after independence due to disputes between the premier, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, and his predecessor and party head, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Several Nigerians associated with their ethnic groupings rather than British-constructed Nigeria at the time and several political parties were created along ethnic lines. Political parties were also expected to have a cultural wing. He released an Islamic morality tale, My Darling Fatimain He followed this with three situational comedies: Portmanteau Woman' Beggar's Love and Princess Jaja Inhis theatre went on a tour of Northern Nigeria that included performances at the Colonial Hotel, Kano.

During this time, Ogunde ceased to write as often as he did in order for him to be able to go on grueling road tours to different parts of the country. The Ogunde Theatre Party became a traveling theatre group thereafter. Inhe produced two important plays: Yoruba Ronu and Otitokoro. They both spoke of the political events in Western Nigeria, events which led to the declaration of a state of emergency in He was the most prominent of the dramatists of the folk opera.

He composed over 40 operas in Yoruba. His play Yoruba Ronu or "Yoruba Think" was a satirical account of the strife that plagued Yorubaland in the s. The protagonist of the play, Oba Fiwajoye, is betrayed by the actions of his deputy. He is given over into the hands of his enemy, Yeye-Iloba, leading to the imprisonment of him and two of his political allies.

The deputy then ascends the throne and rules as a tyrant before he is eventually killed by the people. During the performance, Akintola and a few others walked out, feeling it was a subtle attack on their role in the Western region crisis. It was banned in western Nigeria for two years to as a result, but was produced with great success in other parts of the country.

He produced his plays Ayanmo and Mama Eko for the television audience. Ogunde was a representative of Nigeria at Expo 67 in Montreal. In the late s, film director Ola Balogun directed two successful Yoruba films. The first, "Ajani Ogun", was co-produced with the actor Ade Love. The second, "Ija Ominira", starred Ade Love. Ogunde decided to join the trend.

He invited Ola Balogun to direct Aiyean adaptation of one of his stage plays. Ogunde chose the play partly because it attracted crowds during its run of performances. The film premiered inand within a year it had made its money back. Ogunde sold some of his properties to finance the movie. His third film was Aropin N'Teniaanother adaptation of a stage play which had premiered in The film had fewer mystical symbols than those that preceded it.

His fourth film was Ayanmooriginally adapted from a play that had been dedicated to his wife, Adeshewa, who had died previously.

Hubert ogunde awolowo biography: While Hubert Ogunde is commonly praised

Ogunde established a film village in Ososa, his hometown, to serve as a film shooting studio for his films in His last two films, Aropin N'tenia and Ayanmo were shot at the Ogunde film village. Ogunde released many music albums during his career. His distinctive voice marked the songs in these albums which, like his plays and films, demonstrated knowledge of the Yoruba ethos.

The most popular of his albums is Yoruba Ronua soundtrack to the play of the same name. From the s onwards, he produced a soundtrack album for each play. Inhe was invited by the Nigerian government to form a national drama troupe.

Hubert ogunde awolowo biography: Hubert Ogunde was a

In the play, Ogunde incorporated some of his favorite dance steps, Ijo-Eleja or the dance of the fishermenAsan Ubo-Ikpa from the Ibibio culture, and the kwag-hir from Tivland. Ogunde established an estate at Ososa. This meant that the Yoruba, who had previously had one political organisation to identify with and draw patronage from, now possessed two; a schism that was in stark contrast to the ethnic groups in other regions who continued to enjoy tribal solidarity.

The play's main song became immensely popular and its title was later adopted by the NNPD as their slogan. Among the various dignitaries and political figures in the audience was Chief Akintola. The Western Regional government further clamped down on Ogunde and banned the playing of his music on the region-wide Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service radio and television stations.

The group managed to stay afloat by performing in other parts of the country. On February 4,the ban was lifted and Ogunde was once again able perform in front of a Yoruba-speaking audience.