The 26th Edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture, NAFEST Kwara 2012, observed a minute silence in honour of its own, Chief Ambassador Olusegun Olusola, popularly known as, “Baba Culture,” who, until his death in June this year, distinguished himself as a cultural icon in Nigeria.
As it is the tradition of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the organizers of NAFEST, to accord respect to past and present leaders and stakeholders in the sector, the honouring of the Late Ambassador Olusola was not an exception, especially, for such a personality who had contributed immensely to the development of arts and culture in Nigeria, leaving an indelible footprint in the sector, particularly, through the NAFEST platform and Colloquium, in particular.
In an interview with NICO News on the life and times of this elder statesman, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, former Minister, who was a friend to the deceased, eulogized him, as a detribalized Nigerian, who during his active years of service, treated every Nigerian equally and as one entity, despite the tribe or religion. His words: “Ambassador Olusola, although from Ogun State, did not believe in tribalism but carried everybody along; and so, today, people do not know where he came from but saw him as a true Nigerian and a cultural icon.”
It will be recalled that in the early 70s, Chief Olusola was called to serve as the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the 1st All Nigerian Festival of Arts, the precursor of today’s NAFEST; and his love for culture endeared him to all activities within the culture sector, especially, his active involvement at NAFEST every year, till he passed on in June 2012.
Considering the active role late Ambassador Olusola played in the culture sector and the legacy of humility, active response to national call, and exemplary life as a true nationalist, NCAC dedicated the recent publication of the proceedings of NAFEST Colloquium 2010-2011, in his honour.
Njideka Dimgba
Corporate Affairs Unit