By JAPHET ALAKAM

He studied it, practised it and trained many in the field. In fact it was on the basis of his exploits in the theatre industry that he was appointed the first Artistic Director of the National Troupes of Nigeria, a position he held until he retired.

Pa Oduneye is now 80, but he is still talking and drumming theatre and that was why he said “Theatre is my life, I will live and die with it.” Prof. Bayo Oduneye, he saw it all in theatre and is still a reservoir of knowledge and that was why the new Artistic Director of the NTN, Mr. Akin Adejuwon, led a delegation comprising some members of Management, staff, some select journalists and the entire artistes body of the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) paid a courtesy visit to the former Artistic Director of the NTN in his country home in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The old and new, first Artistic Director of National Troupe, Prof. Bayo Oduneye welcoming the new Artistic Director, Akin Adejuwon to his house

The visit which was long overdue, was in fulfilment of an earlier promise Adejuwon made upon assumption of duty as AD in September 2014, to visit the former Artistic Director who led the NTN from November 1991 to August 2000 was remarkable in the sense that it afforded the new NTN boss the opportunity to tap from the rich knowledge of the former. In a short remark, the AD Mr. Adejuwon who thanked the former AD and theatre legend for accepting to play host to the delegation, thanked God for granting Professor Oduneye longevity.

“We also thank God for the wonderful work you left at the National Troupe, which I found and which inspired me when I got there. If I didn’t build on that I would be lying futile. I thank you for your selfless service,” he said, while apologizing for not embarking on the visit before now. The AD thanked Prof. Oduneye for his vision and for his immeasurable contributions to the development of the National Troupe.

On his part, Prof. Oduneye thanked the delegation for the visit and expressed the hope that the Troupe will continue to grow from strength to strength under the leadership of Mr. Akin Adejuwon. Describing artistes as special breed, he said: “We artistes are special, specially created by God. Whether we are artistes, dramatist or dancer, we are smart. That’s why those who don’t belong gradually excuse themselves.”

Worried by the turn of events in the Nigerian theatre , Pa Oduneye stated that “theatre is dead in Nigeria. According to him, its unfortunate, Theatre was alive in the 1970s, part of the ‘80s and gradually in ‘90s. But funds was a very big problem, unless we get funds, we can’t match theatre in those days. Theatre, generally, in Nigeria, is dead for lack of funds. Also, the actors have turned it into something else. However, the federal government needs to come in and do something that will enhance everything about the theatre.”

On the way forward, he urged Nigerian artistes to use this period of electioneering and come together, present their needs to the presidential candidates in the forthcoming general election as a bargain to support any of them with a firm commitment to help their cause. In appreciation of the way and manner Pa Oduneye received them, members of the Troupe rendered some folks songs in honour of the former Artistic Director.