For rejecting the ‘Feudal Image’ which was temporarily bestowed on him during a lecture organised recently in his honour, Professor Femi Osofisan, renowned playwright, scholar and dramatist symbolically reminded the audience inside the Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, about his mission in the theatre. And as the leading voice of his generation of dramatists in the protest against feudalism and oppression, Osofisan could not but disclose the root of his theatre of commitment.

He expressed his disdain for feudalists, saying “no man should be a slave to another, all men are born equal”. It was in recognition of these virtues that Theatre Arts students of the University of Ibadan, decided to celebrate Osofisan. They organised a series of events, which culminated in an award presentation and a lecture delivered by Prof. Olu Obafemi, a fellow dramatists, scholar and bossom friend of the celebrant.

Expectedly, Osofisan’s virtues as a prolific writer and committed dramatist were extolled, while some of his friends- Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola, Tola Adeniyi, Bayo Lucas, Chief Yemi Elebuibon-paid glowing tributes to him. Infact, a trio of Akinwunmi Ishola, Tola Adeniyi and Elebuibon ‘conspired’ to bestow the title of Imodoye(knowledge gains vision) on Osofisan, thus adding to the celebrants long list of titles and honours.

The organisers- Association of Theatre Arts Students(ATAS), led by Bamiji Olaiya, also paid homage to their mentor in various forms. Some of them read excerpts from Osofisan’s works while others sang and danced to songs drawn from the playwright’s rich repertoire.

While presenting the sceptre-award to Osofisan, Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola described intellectuals as people who engage in academic soliloquy to a wider audience. The writer explained Ishola, thus sustains societal development by building images in the minds of the citizenry.

Ishola who berated leaders for their greed and insesivity to people’s aspirations also urged writers to set standards for those who operate the society. His words, “we should plant humane qualities in the minds of the young generation…. we can do this by selecting the right songs, dances, arguments and cloths to wear.”

Ishola, who is also an accomplished writer and friend of Osofisan described the latter as a storyteller. He went further to illustrate the role of writer in society with a story about two birds-Tintin and Olongo. Olongo betrayed his bossom friend, Tintin by impregnating the latter’s wife and the king called for Olongo’s head. Olongo tried to feign madness but could not escape justice. Olongo, according to Ishola, is symbolized by selfish leaders who usually betray the trust reposed in them by hapless citizens.
In his lecture tagged Femi Osofisan and the rise of committed Theatre in Nigeria, Prof. Olu Obafemi described Osofisan as an eclectic and composite personage-creative writer (poet, playwright and novelist), essayist, polemicist, musician, dancer, scholar, social critic, columnist, teacher and humanist. Beyond these, the celebrant was commended for using his drama to fight for the poor and the masses, aside seeking the path and enthronement of truth.

Said Obafemi, “Osofisan’s life and works reveal the Herculean business of the artist, who is the arrow-head of sensivity, compassion and the collective memory; to elucidate and paint the canvass of social pain as well as etch a visionary path towards communal healing and rebirth.”

From such works as A Restless Run of Locusts(1969) to Morountodun(1983) and now Twingle Twangle: A Twyning Tale(1995) and Many Colours Make the Thunder King(1997); Obafemi said “Osofisan has consistently enlisted his art in the service of the down-trodden and alienated masses …. The ardent message of his committed art is the urgent need for the ‘wretched of the earth’-the mere pawns in the political elite’s predatory game of ‘hide and steal’- to liberate his/her consciousness, in readiness for the imminent and inexorable struggle for regeneration and social rebirth.”

Other distinguished guests in attendance during the ceremony compered by Adeoye Shobakin and Ifeoma Elekwuachi were Dr Remi Adedokum, Dr Lanre Bamidele(HOD Theatre Arts): Dr Matthew Umukoro, and Dr Tunde Awosanmi who gave a vote of thanks.

In his characteristics manner, the celebrant thrilled the audience with a story entitled Sikobe, which was authored by maverick singer Tunji Oyelana as a warning to people on the dangers of excessive celebration.