The role of Hubert Ogunde in the propagation of Nigerian Theatre.

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Chief Hubert Ogunde – Nigerian actor, playwright, theatre manager, folklorist, activist, and musician was born to the family of Mr. Jeremiah Dehinbo Ogunde and Mrs. Eunice Owotunsan Ogunde on Monday, July 10th, 1916 at Ososa in Ogun State.

Chief Hubert Ogunde’s Education background.

Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde entered Saint John’s Primary School, Ososa for his elementary education At the age of nine and left the school in 1928 for Saint Peter’s Faji School, Lagos State where he was until 1930.

Around 1931 and 1932, Ogunde was at Wasimi African School, Ijebu-Ode. His graduation from Wasimi African School actually marked the end of his entire formal education. He altogether spent approximately seven years acquiring formal education. Despite his few years in formal education, Ogunde’s command of English was not only excellent but much better than many university graduates of his time.

Hubert Ogunde’s cinematic career.

He founded the first contemporary professional theatrical company in Nigeria, the African Music Research Party, in 1945. He came, he saw and he conquered the Theatre World like the literary giant that he was. His giant and indelible stride earned him the appellation “Doyen of Theatre”.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HIS WORKS IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY.

ALSO READ: OLAIYA IGWE THE MOVIE GENIE SINCE THE 70s

Furthermore, In the late 1970s, Ogunde was spurred by the success of Ija Ominira and Ajani Ogun, two pioneering Yoruba feature-length films, to co-produce his first celluloid film, Aiye, in 1979. He released Jaiyesimi, Aropin N’tenia and Ayanmo, feature-length films influenced by Yoruba mysticism, thereafter.

READ HUBERT OGUNDE’s FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE

In conclusion, Ogunde died on the 4th of April, 1990, at the age of 73 at London’s Cromwell Hospital following a brief illness. Years after his demise, Ogunde’s legacies live on and many cannot but fail to mention his numerous contributions to the Theatre World across Africa and the whole world at large.