It was a day of sweet remembrances as the Arts, Culture and Media Communities in Lagos state, organized a cultural panorama in honour of late Ambassador Segun Olusola, Monday, July 16, 2012, at the National Theatre, Iganmu-Lagos. Chief Olusegun Olusola, one of Nigeria’s best known culture aficionado, broadcaster, patron of the arts and diplomat, passed on, Thursday June 21, 2012, in a hospital in Lagos, after a brief illness.
Born in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, on March 18, 1935, Chief Olusola attended St. John’s Catholic School and Wesley School, Iperu-Remo, from 1941 to 1947.
Ambassador Olusola’s influence was felt in various sectors of Nigerian and African cultural practices, and most Nigerians know him as the brain behind one of the most enduring television drama programmes in Nigerian history. His influence and role touched many other areas of the arts and culture industry, being the proprietor of the Ajibulu Moniya Gallery, a thriving art house in Lagos.
Apart from being the pioneer television drama producer in Nigeria, Olusola’s most distinguished work as an artist was being the creator and producer of the popular television drama series, “The Village Headmaster,” a programme that lasted for so long on the network service of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.
Olusola was Nigeria’s longest-serving ambassador to Ethiopia, representing his country in Addis Ababa from 1987 to 1993, and given his background in the arts, it was no surprising that his diplomatic career was marked by the deployment of the tools of arts and culture to pursue the goals of deepening relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia, and his setting up the African Refugees Foundation (ARF).
An avid collector of art works, Chief Olusegun Olusola was widely acknowledged for his deep love and support for the arts.
The event, which featured cultural carnival, musical jamboree, craft exhibition, cultural panorama and film show, witnessed a large turnout of important dignitaries, artists, arts enthusiasts, and journalist, with Engr. Yemisi Shyllon as the chairman of the occasion.
Other special guests were: HRH Oba Gbenga Sonuga, HRH Eze Ndigbo of Mushin, Professor Ahmed Yerima, the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Martins Adaji, the General Manager of the National Theatre, Alhaji Kabir Garba, film producers, Mahmood Ali-Balogun and Tunde Kelani, OPC leader, Gani Adams, Larry Williams, Ben Tomoloju, Chief Newton Jibunor, and a host of others.
Offor Miriam and Obasi Ojah.
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO Lagos.