NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/ui-names-theatre-after-wole-soyinka/

Ololade Adeyanju/

The University of Ibadan today renamed its Arts Theatre after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The university also named the Practical Theatre as Geoffrey Axworthy studio.

Axworthy was the founding Director of the School of Drama of the university in 1962.

Soyinka was also the founding head when the school was transformed into a full Department of Theatre Arts in 1970.

Speaking at the unveiling of the theatre, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the event marked a landmark in the history of the university.

The vice-chancellor said the two iconic figures had played significant roles in the development of the department and the growth of performing arts in the country.

According to him, the quest to rename the theatre after Soyinka received the approval of the Senate at its meeting in October 2017.

“But the honour being conferred on Prof. Wole Soyinka today belongs to a special class.

“ Not only is he being honoured during his lifetime, he is physically present to receive it in good health of body and mind, ” he said.

According to him, the theatre was constructed in 1956 to provide a forum for performances and other forms of entertainment.

“Now that the Arts Theatre is being renamed, we are hopeful that the new vision for Wole Soyinka Theatre will be realised sooner than later with the active support of benevolent philanthropists and well-meaning corporate organisations,“ he said.

In his remarks, Soyinka said he was happy to be in the university, adding that he was in a familiar environment with lots of memories.

“This is a place of memories for me, I also felt contented co-honouring me with Geoffrey Axworthy who fought so hard to make the department what it is today.

“It is very easy to forget pioneer, but I have to say that our successors here have a sense of history, so, I must thank you all for this,“ he said.

The Nobel Laureate, however, urged the lecturers and students of the department to continue to make it great with creative production.

“You all should try and have fun like we used to and continue to make the department great with creative productions,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included Prof. Femi Osofisan, John Pepper Clerk, Dr Kolade Musoro and Chief Gbenga Arulogun.



http://www.newsmakersng.com/ui-names-theatre-after-wole-soyinka/

Why are these universities naming some structures after Professor Wole Soyinka at this time?

Hope these are not omen o!

Kongi please don't leave us now o.

Good.







iPhone 6 128GB for sale. PM if you’re interested.

Good one

tribalism war Ninjas will soon arrive..

OneCorner:
Afonja and Tribalism.
What of Chinua Achebe?

Here

Cool


Happy new month

Why are these universities naming some structures after Professor Wole Soyinka?

Hope these are not omen o!


Please which omen? U want to bring politics into reality . Wole Soyinka deserves to be named University himself.

OneCorner:
Afonja and Tribalism.
What of Chinua Achebe?

ur stupidity is beyond comprehension. y do u always bring tribal sentiment into everything. pig

Hope is not that Baba Yinka is preparing to relocate with all these frequent naming and dedication.

Stop being a bigot

OneCorner:
Afonja and Tribalism.
What of Chinua Achebe?

The literary giant of Africa! May greater Wole Soyinkas arise from our generation.

sureheaven:
Why are these universities naming some structures after Professor Wole Soyinka?

Hope these are not omen o!


Please which omen? U want to bring politics into reality . Wole Soyinka deserves to be named University himself.

You didn't get his point. He meant signs that Soyinka is about to leave us for good.

This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

Good one

OneCorner:
Afonja and Tribalism.
What of Chinua Achebe?

chinua Achebe on danfo bus somewhere in ganda

And someone’s face is on a danfo in Uganda

OneCorner:
Afonja and Tribalism. What of Chinua Achebe?

What is holding UNN from honoring him?

One won Nobel prize one didn't

Afam4eva:
This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

They clearly stated there that whole Soyinka pioneered the department. He was the first HOD of the theatre department. One of the people dt hustled to start the department. Dts why he's being honored by the THEATRE.

Chinua Achebe was probably just a student of literature. Does he have any theatre work?

Afam4eva:
This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

What University did Wole Soyinka attend? I pray thee tell.

It was mentioned in the article that Wole Soyinka was the pioneer HOD of the dept.

Soyinka was also the founding head when the school was transformed into a full Department of Theatre Arts in 1970.

Speaking at the unveiling of the theatre, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the event marked a landmark in the history of the university.

The vice-chancellor said the two iconic figures had played significant roles in the development of the department and the growth of performing arts in the country.

Do not look at situations with tribal sentiments. It hurts.

Afam4eva:
This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

If you are ignorant or devoid of facts, then don't say anything. Chinua Achebe was not produced in that theatre as he did not read Theatre Arts but English. Wole Soyinka also read English at the University of Ibadan before he went to Leeds.

As for the naming, Wole Soyinka returned from Leeds to lecture at the newly made Theatre Arts department and he was the pioneer Head of the Department. Apart from that, Soyinka gained popularity for his plays and as such, it is apt for the Arts Theatre to be named after him.

There's nothing tribalistic here. Chinua Achebe lectured at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for many years too. UNN should name a structure after him too.

Afam4eva:
This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

Mr Afam,

You fall hands big time.

Chinua Achebe only attended the university. So what was his direct contribution to the development of the department mentioned.

Soyinka was a student and the founding head when the
school was transformed into a full Department of
Theatre Arts in 1970.

So who deserves the honour?


You are the one being tribalistic here.

Why do u people keep bringing up chinua Achebe in wole soyinkas posts?

Are you guys MAD??! Cursed with constantly comparing urself wt others. Tortured souls.

okay

Little research can educate ur ignorance, Chinua Achebe is a well known novelist not dramatist, therefore, his perfomance in the art theatre is nothing, but, not seen. Wole Soyinka's name can't be ommitted in the names of major dramatist in Africa.

Tolexander:
Mr Afam,

You fall hands big time.

Chinua Achebe only attended the university. So what was his direct contribution to the development of the department mentioned.

Soyinka was a student and the founding head when the
school was transformed into a full Department of
Theatre Arts in 1970.

So who deserves the honour?


You are the one being tribalistic here.

Don't mind Afam, most of his people are just tribalists

Afam4eva:
This just shows how tribalistic our generation is. How is a university theatre that produced the father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe not named after him but after someone that attended a different university. I really don't see the logic in this.

You don' know the difference between English Dept and Theatre Art Dept? Do You?