“Home sweet home ” was the song that filled the lips of family members and fans of the theatre legend, late Duro Ladipo at the command performance his play, Moremi in his hometown, Osogbo, pen-ultimate Friday. The event which attracted top government functionaries, including Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and some of his commissioners was the culmination of the week long 30th anniversary of Duro Ladipo which flagged-off in Ibadan on March 22.

The show, which held at the City Hall, also had in attendance the Slovak ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. H. Igoh. It was in fulfillment of the governor’s special request for the play when the anniversary committee, led by Professor Ayo Akinwale met him before the anniversary celebration.

For the widow of the late dramatist, Biodun, it was a homecoming and the beginning of a new epoch for the sustenance of her husband’s legacies. Her dream of putting some of her husband’s works, especially Moremi, on celluloid film format may not be far-flung, going by the governor’s promise. Speaking at the end of the show, Oyinlola who defied the downpour to make it to venue had pledged government’s support for Duro Ladipo Foundation in its bid to produce Moremi into a film.

The gesture attracted thunderous applause from Duro’s family, friends and the admirers. He commended the foundation for keeping the spirit alive and described the theatre legend as a product of Osun culture. Prince Oyinlola who watched the drama with rapt attention commended the contributions of Late Chief Duro Ladipo to the promotion of Nigeria’s culture abroad, stressing that it was in recognition of his contributions, that the Federal Government conferred on him the prestigious MON award. According to him, the state government is taking steps to preserve and promote its cultural heritage, stressing that the benefits derivable from culture are too numerous to be ignored by any purposeful administration. He promised that his government would continue to accord top priority to cultural matters.

Before the show kicked-off, widow of the late theatre icon, Chief (Mrs.) Biodun Duro Ladipo, who was all smiles throughout the event, appreciated the presence of the governor, his cabinet members and the Slovak ambassador to Nigeria. She described it as a demonstration of their interest in Duro Ladipo Foundation and what it represents.

The actress who was a double-cast with her daughter, Mrs Sola Akinsola (nee Duro Ladipo) in play the lead role, Moremi, appealed to the state government to make the anniversary a yearly event, showcasing his contributions to drama and the promotion of culture.

Biodun, while thanking the state government for naming some places after her late husband, urged UNESCO to identify with the Duro Ladipo Foundation in its effort at cultural promotion. The zenith of the evening’s event was the presentation of a post-humous award to the late dramatist in recognition of his efforts in the area of promotion of art and culture in Osun state.

The director of the play, Professor Ayo Akinwale, and a protégé of the theatre legend told Daily Sun that the occasion was auspicious considering Duro Ladipo’s in-depth research into Yoruba culture, which he later presented on stage.

Professor Akinwale, who was also chairman of the anniversary committee, disclosed that working with Moremi (Mrs.Duro Ladipo) and eight of the children, as actors and actresses showed that the late theatre legend would live forever in the minds of the Yorubas.

Interestingly, the epic drama which focuses on the travails of Moremi, a sojourner in Ile-Ife but a native of Offa, was refreshing. Rich in songs, dances and rich costuming, the drama featured mostly children of the late theatre legend, and a few members of the old Duro Ladipo Theatre group, such as Chief Lere Paimo and Abidoye Ojo. The play recaptures the heroic act of a woman in her bid to free her people, (Ile-Ife indigenes) from incessant raids by their Igbo aggressors.

She ended up sacrificing her only son, Oluorogbo to the river goddess Esinmirin. The drama which drew a parallel in the biblical story of Jephtah, was a reminder to the present generation to imbibe the tenets of patriotism and nationalism, as demonstrated by Moremi.