Four days after he celebrated his 88th birthday, theatre scholar and the second Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Uncle Bayo Oduneye (MON), has died.
Uncle B, as he was fondly called, died in the early hours of Monday just four days after marking his 88th on Thursday, November 4.
A statement signed by the President, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Israel Eboh, announced his passing.
The brief statement read: “With a heavy heart, we announce the transition of our elder statesman, distinguished Fellow of the Association, erudite theatre scholar and teacher, mentor, astute arts administrator and director per excellence, Professor Bayo Oduneye fta, who answered the call to glory in the early hours of today.
“Our condolences go to the Oduneye family, the theatre community and the entire Nigerian creative family. May the soul of our dear Uncle B continue to be a blessing.”
Born on November 4, 1936, the late Oduneye was an astute theatre teacher and practitioner. He became Artistic Director of the NTN in 1991 after founding Artistic Director and Consultant, Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, passed. He led the Troupe until August 2000.
Oduneye trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in England and Carnegie Melon University, Pittsburgh, USA.
For decades, he taught directing at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, and later at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, where he took up adjunct professor seat after he retired from the University of Ibadan.
He held several distinguished positions, including Artistic Director, festival drama manager (FESTAC 77), and the Nigerian Film Corporation chairman.
He directed nearly all the classic theatrical plays coming out of Africa in the 70s through the 2000s. He founded Diamond Productions, through which he directed many memorable productions, including Wole Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ for the Nigeria Industrial Bank drama series.
Oduneye disbanded the company upon his appointment as Artistic Director of National Troupe of Nigeria. After his tour of duty, he founded Lagemo Players with his friend Ambassador Olu Otunla. He had retired to his Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State country home years ago before his passing on Monday.
