By Akinwale Kasali
The Management of the University of Ilorin, is yet to come to terms with the sudden death of one of its Professors and Nollywood Actor, Prof. Ayo Avondale.
Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, Dean, Faculty of Arts, of UNILORIN said the Institution has lost a great pillar.
He wrote, “TRANSITION TO HIGHER GLORY
“If life is not vanity upon vanity, then, what is it? Death is indeed wicked!
“With heavy heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, I announce the passing on to higher glory of Prof. Ayo Akinwale, of the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin. He died today, the 13th September 2020 at the Unilorin Teaching Hospital.
“May the Almighty God comfort the family and all of us.”
The versatile producer, academic, playwright and former broadcaster, Akinwale, was the producer of a popular movie, ‘Sango’.
He was, also, the pioneer board chairman of the University of Ilorin FM.
Akinwale was born to the Royal household of Pa Akinwale in the ancient City of Ibadan and attended St. Lukes Demonstration School, Molete Ibadan, Oyo State, and then proceeded to Methodist High School also in Ibadan, where he was introduced to Theater Arts.
In 1966, he acted as ‘Imodoye’ in a movie titled ‘Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole,’ produced by one of his teachers and then moved to Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo, where he obtained his Senior School Leaving Certificate.
He proceeded to the University of Ibadan before commencing academic work as a lecturer at the Polytechnic Ibadan. He became the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture of the University of Ilorin, and he was also the Chairman of Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture.
Prof Akinwale had written several books and articles on Theatre Arts in Nigeria. Some of his publications include; ‘From Compound Space, to the Living Stage’ Nigerian Theatre Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1. (1998); ‘Theatre and Democracy in Nigeria’ Nigerian Theatre Journal. Vol. 6, No. 1, ‘Nigerian Playright’; Zulu Sofola (2005); ‘The Nigerian Theatre and Economic Viability.’ Arts Administration in Contemporary Nigeria; The Nigeria Broadcaster’ Media Nigeria; ‘The Theatre and Nigeria’s New Democratic Environment: A Sociological Overview,’ and many more.
He won the Best Indigenous actor award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
He had featured in quite a number of movies as an actor and producer; he has produced many home videos in Nigeria.
He featured in movies such as; Sango, Ladepo Omo Adanwo, Clash of the Gods, Iranse Aje, Eti Keta among others.
Prof Akinwale’s contribution to the Theatre and Movie industry in Nigeria gave him the leverage of being assigned South-West Zonal Co-ordinator for the Abuja Carnivals, and also a judge for the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Akinwale family and UNILORIN on the passing of the Professor.
Buhari, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the deceased contributions were outstanding to the development of the Performing Arts in Nigeria in a career spanning over four decades on stage, screen, lecture rooms and the airwaves.
According to him, the scholarly works of the accomplished thespian, playwright and versatile producer, preserved in films and published books, will continue to inspire and delight audiences in years to come.
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