There was no roaring of thunder during the downpour that ushered-in the 30th anniversary of the late Duro Ladipo, (MON) in Ibadan, last week. That was very much unlike Ladipo, the theatre legend who was named after Sango (god of thunder) following the role he played in his epic drama, Oba ko so, (The King did not hang).

When alive, Duro’s presence on stage provoked awe. As the fiery, yet defied king in the popular drama, Ladipo was famous for possessing the power to emit fire and invoke thunder on stage. Even in the event of his death on March 11, 1978, the city of Ibadan where he lived, witnessed a downpour accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Such were the credentials of a theatre icon who had in his repertory more than 60 plays including the award-winning Oba ko so. He also produced blockbusters like Moremi, Eda, Ajagun N’la and an array of T.V. serials, Bode Wasimi, a screen adaptation of the novel, Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole, by D.O. Fagunwa.

Today, what do we remember of the man who won laurels for the country, at major international festivals in Europe? Although the street where his house stands in Ibadan was named after him, no other monument has been raised in his honour until recently when Osun State government named a theatre after him in Osogbo. His residence at Bode Wasimi in Orita Basorun area of Ibadan, while on residency programme at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, is now in a sorry state. Presently, the structure, which used to host many theatrical activities including the T.V. serial, Bode Wasimi, is now decrepit with dilapidated walls.

With little or no support from any individual or corporate concerns, Duro’s widow and custodian of the family legacy, Biodun Ladipo rallied family members, and protégés of the theatre legend to collaborate with the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan to roll out the drums. There was also a book launch and a foundation to immortalize him.

While Biodun mooted the idea of an anniversary, entitled Duro Lives: Unmasking the Legend, the dream was actualised by a committee, headed by Professor Ayo Akinwale. The committee, which swung into action a year ago and its efforts culminated in the anniversary commemoration, which held from Tuesday, March 11, through Saturday, March 15. The five-day event which relived some of the works of the late theatre proprietor, featured an exhibition of his costumes, props and memorabilla, artistes and awards night, and the staging of the epic drama, Moremi, at the Cultural Centre, Ibadan. The grand finale of the celebration packaged by Auto Concept was a command performance of the same play for Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, on Thursday, March 20.

In terms of public awareness, there was little noise made. Aside a few posters and handbills distributed at the event venues, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), also announced the event as part of its contribution. Everything still boiled down to limited resources, the organizers explained.
Giving reasons for the low turn out, ostensibly occasioned by poor publicity, Akinwale told Daily Sun, “ the packaging company traveled to Lagos and other states in the South West, and met with the governors and the aides. We still hope that the governors will do certain things for the foundation, especially Governor Oyinlola of Osun State whom we met one-on-one and who requested for Moremi. We hope and believe that at the end the day, we’ll all smile.”

Bemoaning Nigeria’s penchant for abandoning its heroes in their trying times, or sustain their legacies, Akinwale said :“ In fact, that is the main goal of this foundation. Some of us felt that there has been nothing to immortalise Duro Ladipo. Granted that a book has been written and launched on him, yet since Duro Ladipo died, it is as if his works died with him. But we thank God today that there are still a few people who recognize what the artiste accomplished; hence it collaborated with his family to raise a foundation. The first among the missions of the foundation is to put Duro Ladipo’s works on celluloid, or video film. Secondly, the foundation is to document his plays in film format.”

However, the theatre scholar berated government for undermining its heroes, especially in the artistic and cultural sectors. But he has a suggestion to resolve the issue “ I think government should start a policy that will not make us lose track of the contributions of our legends. And I think that the best way to do it is to hearken to the call by theatre artistes, to build a theatre academy where we can house some of these documents, and do a lot of things for our heroes.”

He also commended Osun State for supporting Duro Ladipo’s revival having named a theatre after him in his home town, Osogbo. In addition, he suggested that his houses in Osogbo and Ibadan where his costumes and props are still kept intact, should be developed into a tourist centre for domestic and international tourists and researchers.

As for Biodun, Ladipo’s widow of many years, putting the epic drama Moremi, on celluloid is uppermost in her mind. Like many of her ilk befallen by similar fate, the soul is willing but finances are lacking. She told Daily Sun, about her spirited efforts to get sponsorship for the film foundation of the drama in which she earned popularity as the star actress, many years ago.

“The script is ready but funding has stalled the project. For almost three years, Professor Akinwumi Ishola completed the screen play, I’ve been going about soliciting for assistance, but no one has been forthcoming, she lamented. Even if not for courage and her resolve to remain faithful to her husband and what she stood for, perhaps the anniversary would not have taken place, owing to lack of funds.

“It’s my desire to hold a yearly anniversary for my husband. I met some people with my proposal, but they have not responded. Perhaps I’ve not met the right people with the love for culture. Assuming I met such people, I would have approached them, it’s not a question of pride,” she noted in a sullen tone.