By JAPHET ALAKAM

One of the lines of the Nigeria National anthem reads, “ The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain.” It was in realisation of this important statement, that the family of Late doyen of Nigeria theatre, Hubert Ogunde after many years of neglect and abandonment occasioned by many factors rose up to immortalize him with the opening of a museum in his country home, Ososa in Ogun State.

•Statue of late Hubert Ogunde

The great Hubert Ogunde, a colossus, enigmatic and genius of the Nigeria film industry known today as Nollywood, reinvigorated the film industry, trained hundreds of actors and producers, created and produced some of the most sorts after epic movies of all time which are still uptill today a best seller. It is on record that the doyen of Nigerian theater as he was fondly called was the consultant and first Artistic Director of the National Troupe.

As mark of respect and giving honour to whom it is due, the management of the National Troupe of Nigeria, led by the Artistic Director, Akin Adejuwon paid a familiarisation tour of the Ogunde’s estate. And on hand to receive them, was a representative of the family and one of the sons of the Late Hubert, Mr Bayo Ogunde.

Bayo who took the management team of the National Troupe and the media men round the estate and museum,disclosed that all arrangement for the opening of the museum has be concluded and that the museum will be officially opened on April 24th, which will coincide with the 25th anniversary of his death.

According to him, “we just taught the man worked so hard, that we have to make the younger generation see that hard work pays. So , when you come, you see those things he did. So we are turning it into a museum and when we declare it open, we will operate it like a museum.”

A visit to the home of Hubert Ogunde in Ososa shows that the place which was once deserted has taken a new look. The compound is wearing a new look, and the house where all the paraphernelia of the iconic theatre was intact. One wonders how the children were able to maintain and preserve such iconic monuments. Ordinarily, as one with a polygamous family, the story would have been something else, but it was not so as all that the man used during his years in the industry were well preserved.

Hubert Ogunde bestrode the theatre world like a colossus and with a film village which he built during his career that has become an embodiment of culture of the Yoruba’s. Like every other monument the film village and Ogunde’s country have become tourist delight in Nigeria.

On his part, Adejuwon, who said that the visit was as a result of his knowledge of art history that recognises the need to maintain legacy by paying homage to the founding fathers thanked Bayo for keeping the legacy of the Late Ogunde most efficiently as it has not always been the case in many families. “Artistic practice is a family business, so I know that I will meet a member of the family.” He added.

•Homage to Ogunde, a performance by the National Truope of Nigeria at Ogunde hall, Ososa, Ogun State

The visit was like going back to the cradle as it was Hubert Ogunde who started what is now known as National troupe and as mark of respect, the troupe presented a superlative performance at the Ogunde hall where the national troupe first performed 25 years ago before his death.

Speaking about the visit, an elated Adejuwon confessed that his expectations were made. “Yes, my expectation was to reactivate the place of Chief Hubert Ogunde of blessed memory who was the first Artistic Director and consultant that brought up the National Troupe. Of course, that also emanated from the works he did as a very virile artistic producer and a very creative actor and film producer. In his days, he toured all part of Nigeria creating and capturing audience.”

Continuing, he stated that “he is from the Yoruba traditional performing artiste so in their days, we needed to revisit that to let people know the origin of National troupe. The move is also to bring more attention to the work I am trying to do particularly in the touring of our performances so that everything will not be limited to the national theatre.

“In fact, I am impressed with the organisational strength of the family and it really gladdens my belief in the fact that the development of art in traditional African culture is pursued by families right from the Biblical times. The artistic calling is not a general one, what I saw today has come to confirm that, from the way they are maintaining the memory of Ogunde in this family and the way they are organising a museum, making the environment to become a tourist destination is one very strong focus of my minister, Chief Edem Duke. I am quite impressed with what I saw and we are going to collaborate with the family for the 25th anniversary.”