Articles Write ups about Hubert Ogunde

April 5, 2020

Where is Ogunde?

by Adedara Oduguwa (First published in The ThisDay newspaper on Sunday 5th April 2020)

On Tuesday February 18 2020, while on a desk study, I came across this news on the wall of The Punch Newspaper: “Reps order 400 exotic cars, reject Nigerian brands.” All the360 House of Representative members want 400 units of Toyota Camry 2020 priced between N26.75m and N35.75m totalling N6billion — excluding the cost of shipping, import duty which is 70 per cent of the net cost and other clearing charges and taxes

Then, I was tempted to ask, “Where is that Doyen of the Nigerian theatre, Hubert Ogunde? Where is the people’s voice? Where is that Colossus who spoke sense to the powers-that-be?

April 5, 2020

Osetura Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, 30 years after

by Adedara Oduguwa (First published in The Guardian newspaper on Sunday 5th February 2020)

Many of the millennia might not be well familiar with the name, but for those born in the 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s, Hubert Adedeji Ogunde was a colossus whose many works of art queries government officers’ malfeasance. Ogunde was jailed several times for standing on the part of his employer-the masses.

Born on Monday, July 10, 1916 to Mr. Jeremiah Dehinbo Ogunde and Mrs. Eunice Owotunsan Ogunde, in a small ancient town (Ososa) found in the heart of Ijebu province (currently under Odogbolu Council).

February 11, 2018

Hubert Ogunde: Immortalising the doyen of Nigerian theatre

by Chuks Nwanne (First published in The Guardian newspaper on Sunday 11th February 2018)

The journey to Ososa in Ogun State, the hometown of legendary thespian, Chief Hubert Ogunde, was less than an hour. Our mission was to join the Ogunde family in celebrating an icon and professional, who played a vital role in advancing the practice of theatre arts practice in Nigeria.

This is necessary in this precarious time, when things are falling apart and the center losing its grip.

July 21, 2017

Ogunde's Message on Bribery and Corruption

by Adedara S. Oduguwa (First published in The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday 2nd August 2017)

Monday 10th of July, 2017 marked late Chief (Dr.) Adedeji Hubert Ogunde’s one hundred and one year’s posthumous birthday. As fans of the doyen worldwide gathered to celebrate this illustrious son of Africa and a legendary singer, prophet, actor, doyen of African theatre, father of Yoruba operatic theatre, a resounding pioneer of the Nigerian drama and father of Nigerian folk opera, one thing came to bear, ‘The Peoples’ Conscience’.

Though what is know today as Nollywood could be traced to the release of the movie Living In Bondage, it’s on record that the likes of late Ogunde paved the way for what eventually became the motion picture industry in Nigeria.

July 10, 2016

The man, Hubert Adedeji Ogunde – The 100th Birthday

by Ayo Ogunde

Exactly, a hundred years ago, today, a son was born to a village headmaster, pastor and church organist and the daughter of an Ifa priest; in a village called Ososa, a few kilometres from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.

The father of this child was Mr. Jeremiah ‘Deinbo Ogundemuren. He was amongst the first in Ososa to go to school through the C.M.S missionary which had just established a primary school in the village.

July 10, 2016

Hubert Ogunde: Nationalism and Retrospect

by Adedara S. Oduguwa

Struggle to free Nigerians and Africans from the hands of foreign profiteers, the gruesome imperialists and suckling economic bourgeoisies left no one out in the colonial regime. The quest for self-government and independence became a common priority for the rich in the West who traded in Cocoa; the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen in the North and Aba women in the East, who believed their husband, must not be taxed.

May 12, 1992

Ogunde's entrance and exit

by Wole Soyinka (First published in Daily Sketch on 12th May 1992)

With good reason, the expression "making an entrance" finds frequent usage in social parlance. It is a usually reliable Index of personally, even character. Entrances, even for the non-theatre buff therefore provide a fascinating field of observation. For the theatre-goer, however unconsciously, the moment and manner of the performer's entry (but specifically one of star quality) is what is most eagerly awaited, seized upon and savoured.