By CHRIS ONUOHA

Dapo Adelugba was a theatre teacher and professor of professors, and called the Daodu of Nigerian theatre, he touched many lives when he was alive and even in death he is still remembered. And that was why the members of the ‘theatre community’ held a post humus seminar to celebrate the late professor’s 76th birthday.

The seminar with the theme, Dapo Adelugba: Reminiscences On a Distinguished Life was held at the Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos, on March 9.

The event featured paper presentations and tribute by many of his former students including, Prof. Duro Oni, Deputy Vice Chancellor University of Lagos; Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo of the Department of English, University of Lagos; the poet and literary activist, Odia Ofeimun; Ben Tomoloju, a playwright and arts and culture communicator; Prof. Sunday Enesi Ododo, a theatre teacher at the University of Maiduguri, Dr. Esohe Suinner-Molokwu, Dr. Sola Fosudo Longley Evru, Tade Adekunle, Teju Kareem and Tunji Sotimirin, while Mr. and Mrs. Segun Adelugba, Chief and Mrs Kufo, Dr. and Mrs. Bolarinwa represented the Adelugba family.

•Late Pa Dapo Adelugba

Prof. Duro Oni who was the guest speaker minced no words as he narrates his encounter with Prof. Dapo Adelugba. According to his speech, it was an intriguing experience of his mentorship roles in his life. As he eulogizes and reel out tributes to the man he calls a great mentor, he mentioned that the next lecture that will hold in 2016 will kick start the annual lecture series in memory of Prof. Dapo Adelugba. In the process, he was emotionally carried away and eventually subsidized Adelugba’s book on sale at the venue at a half price for the students present at the seminar.

Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo who spoke emotionally about Dapo said that it is a unique privilege to have this lecture here in Unilag when it should have been happening in any other institution.

Akachi said she identify with him for many reasons; first was when she read about him and had an encounter with his lucid and clarity of works. “He was the person that endeared me to loving theater, despite being an English scholar. I watched his productions and got fascinated by his creative ingenuity and commitments towards making theatre industry what it is today in the university.” She said.

Akachi said that Prof. Adelugba was such a wonderful and great scholar through which many Professors, thespians came out of his efforts. “I believe that students still grasp a lot today from a man that has been attributed as master mentor.” she said.

She finally admonished the students who are present in the hall to be productive in all they do, empowering their environment to make a better society.

Theatre Art students from Unilag gave a side attraction by taking the stage and rendering an appreciation song “Iya ni wura” to Prof. Akachi for writing off the book price on display, making it possible for all the students present to have a copy free. There was also a mini stage performance by the students. Prof. Sunday Ododo in his short speech trails in same line of encounter and tributes, saying that everyone that has an encounter with him has one story to tell but the underlining factor is he was a mentor that insists on excellence.

As many speakers took time to express their feelings, contributing heart-touching tributes to the great scholar, they talked about his keen interest in his students, his serious mindedness and painstaking supervision of all the projects of his students and he was concise in approach with strict detailing on how things should be done on stage. According to them, he was a man that believes in the ability of every student, and once he identifies you, he will never let go. He was a stubborn mentor who would do anything to make sure you come out they way he wants you to be.

His humility knows no bound as he addresses everybody as Mr. or Mrs. He was dedicated up to his death, selfless, strict and time conscious.