Theatre Icon, Gabriel Adekola Oyewo Buried in Osun Amid Pomp

By Ruth Akpan

There are actors who entertain audiences, actors who interpret characters and actors who, through the sheer force of their artistry, become part of the history of the stage. Dr. Gabriel Adekola Oyewo belonged to that rare and distinguished generation whose contribution to theatre transcended performance.

His was a life lived under the bright lights of creativity, intellectual pursuit and cultural expression. For decades, he gave flesh and emotion to characters, imparted knowledge to generations of students and remained passionately connected to the dramatic traditions that helped define Nigeria’s cultural identity.

When the curtain finally fell on his remarkable earthly journey, the theatre community did not simply lose an actor. It lost a veteran custodian of an art form, a scholar who understood the intellectual depth of drama and a teacher whose influence reached beyond the classroom.

So, when his family, friends, colleagues, students and admirers gathered in Ile-Ife and Oba-Ile, Osun State, for his final rites, it was a farewell wrapped in grief, dignity, nostalgia and celebration.

Across three days of solemn religious ceremonies, artistic tributes and convivial gatherings, mourners paid homage to a man whose life had been intricately woven into the colourful tapestry of Nigerian theatre and academia.

From the hushed prayers of the church to the stirring artistic tributes at Oduduwa Hall and the final gathering in Oba-Ile, every stage of the farewell reflected a different dimension of the man they had come to honour.

The first day of the funeral ceremonies commenced at St. Mary Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife, where the family hosted a solemn Wake and Service of Songs.

As mourners filed into the sacred surroundings of the church, the atmosphere was one of quiet reflection. Family members sat beside relatives and friends, while colleagues from the theatre and academic communities gathered to honour a man whose professional journey had touched numerous lives.

Through hymns, prayers and spiritual reflections, the gathering celebrated not only the life that had ended but also the values, memories and relationships that remained.

For those who knew Dr. Oyewo intimately, the evening offered an opportunity to remember the private man behind the public persona—the father, teacher, colleague, mentor and friend whose personality had left indelible impressions on many people.

There were moments when grief became palpable, particularly as memories of his vibrant presence were recalled. Yet, even in the solemnity of the occasion, there was an underlying feeling of gratitude: gratitude for a long and productive life, for the opportunities he created for others and for the remarkable contribution he made to the arts.

The second day brought mourners back to St. Mary Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife, for the Commendation Service.

The service offered another opportunity for mourners to commit the soul of the departed to God while celebrating the remarkable chapters of his journey on earth.

Those who had known him from his early theatre days stood alongside colleagues from his academic years, while younger artistes and former students came to pay their respects to a man whose career had stretched across decades.

There was something profoundly symbolic about the setting. Ile-Ife, a city steeped in history and cultural significance, had been an important part of Dr. Oyewo’s journey. It was here that much of his academic and professional story unfolded, making the city an appropriate setting for some of the most significant moments of his farewell.

If the church services represented the spiritual dimension of the farewell, the Artistes Night and Tribute Ceremony at the iconic Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, provided its artistic soul.

The imposing hall welcomed a massive gathering of artistes, academics, students, former students, friends and admirers who came together to celebrate the theatre veteran in the language he understood best—art.

The atmosphere was distinctly theatrical. Performances, cultural presentations and heartfelt tributes combined to create an evening that was as colourful as it was emotional.

For several hours, the stage became a living memorial to Dr. Oyewo. Rather than allowing his story to be told solely through solemn speeches, colleagues and younger artistes expressed their appreciation through the creative medium to which he had devoted his life.

The tribute night also offered former students an opportunity to remember the teacher who had shaped their understanding of dramatic arts. Some spoke about his discipline. Others remembered his intellectual brilliance, while many celebrated his willingness to guide younger practitioners.

For a man who had spent much of his career standing beneath theatre lights, there could hardly have been a more appropriate tribute than an evening in which the stage once again became the centre of attention in his honour.

The third day ushered in the final leg of the funeral rites. The body of Dr. Oyewo was conveyed from Ile-Ife by TAC Funerals to Oba-Ile, his hometown, where he was laid in state at Ese Ola Compound.

At Ese Ola Compound, family members, friends and sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects. The scene was deeply emotional.

For some, it was an opportunity to see him one last time. For others, it was a moment to silently confront the reality that a familiar voice, face and presence had become a memory.

From the compound, the remains were conveyed to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile, for the Funeral Mass.

As the cortege approached the church, the officiating ministers received the remains at the entrance, while members of the congregation rose respectfully. The solemn procession into the church marked one of the most poignant moments of the farewell.

Inside the church, the funeral service unfolded through Bible readings, hymns, prayers, sermon and tributes. The atmosphere was solemn but reassuring, as the congregation sought comfort in faith.

The sermon was delivered by Most Rev. Michael Akinsonde and centred on the theme, “Death and the Hope of the Blessing of Resurrection.”

The message offered the bereaved family and mourners a spiritual lens through which to understand their loss. Death, though painful and final in its earthly expression, was presented within the Christian promise of resurrection and eternal life.

The sermon resonated deeply with the mood of the congregation, providing reassurance at a moment when words often seemed inadequate.

Following the sermon was the Thanksgiving, after which the minister prayed specially for the bereaved family, asking for divine strength, comfort and grace.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Wale Oyewo, who expressed appreciation to the clergy, relatives, friends, colleagues, students, artistes and well-wishers who had travelled from different locations to honour the memory of his beloved relation.

He acknowledged the overwhelming support extended to the family throughout the funeral period and thanked everyone whose presence had helped give the ceremonies the dignity they deserved. Closing hymns subsequently brought the church service to an emotional conclusion.

Unlike the public ceremonies that preceded it, the interment was deliberately private.

At Labiduyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, only members of the immediate family were present as the remains of the theatre veteran were committed to the earth.

Away from the crowd, applause and public attention, the family experienced the most intimate farewell of all. There were no grand speeches or elaborate performances.

There was simply family, silence and the solemn reality of a final goodbye. For those closest to him, it was undoubtedly the hardest moment of the entire funeral.

The man who had spent decades portraying characters filled with life, conflict, humour, tragedy and emotion had now taken his final bow.

After the solemnity of the burial, the mood gradually shifted as guests converged on the field of Aderounmu Grammar School, Oba-Ile, for the grand reception.

The gathering brought together members of the extended family, friends, colleagues, artistes, academics and sympathisers in an atmosphere of fellowship.

A generous selection of sumptuous dishes and refreshing drinks was served to guests, reflecting the traditional Nigerian culture of hospitality that accompanied the celebration of a life well lived.

Music supplied the perfect accompaniment as Femisolar Music Band serenaded the gathering with lively melodies.

Born on 27 March 1946 in Oba Ile, Osun State, Dr. Gabriel Adekola Oyewo attended Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained certificates in dramatic arts and Yoruba oral literature, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the same institution in 1995.

He proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Master of Arts and a doctorate in Drama.

He began his professional acting career in 1964 after joining the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group, taking on his first role as Adejare in Orogun Adedigba.

Oyewo was best known for his portrayal of “Odewale” in “The Gods Are Not to Blame”, a play by Ola Rotimi.

In 1996, Oyewo joined Obafemi Awolowo University, where he rose to the rank of senior lecturer before retiring in September 2011.

After retiring from Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined Redeemer’s University, where he served as head of the Department of Dramatic Arts.

He later worked at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a lecturer in Performing Arts..

His post-retirement career therefore became another testament to his commitment to knowledge and mentorship.

Photos: Tunde Bolarinwa