Olushola Omogbehin
Nigeria’s entertainment industry and academic communities have been thrown into mourning sequel the death of veteran actor, dramatist, filmmaker and scholar, Professor Adekola Akangbe Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Professor Kola Oyewo.
The news of his passing was disclosed on Friday by his son, Adetoyese Oyewo, through a message shared on Facebook, where he paid tribute to the late actor’s life and achievements.
In the announcement, Adetoyese described his father as a man whose life was marked by “love, wisdom, strength and kindness,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beloved father,” he wrote.
Adetoyese said that although the family was grieving, but they are grateful to God for the life Professor Oyewo lived and the impact he made in the life of many individuals throughout his lifetime.
He said his father’s legacy would continue through the memories shared by family members, friends, colleagues and admirers whose lives he influenced.
Adetoyese also appealed for prayers and support for the family during the mourning period, saying they were celebrating a life dedicated to service, learning and the arts.
Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group and went on to become one of the most respected figures in Yoruba theatre and the Nigerian film industry.
Professor Oyewo was widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading figures in theatre and performing arts, earning respect both as an accomplished actor and as an academic.
Over several decades, he contributed significantly to the development and preservation of Yoruba theatre, while also helping to promote Nigerian culture through his work on stage, screen and in the classroom.
He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Odewale in The Gods Are Not to Blame.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Oyewo featured in notable productions including Saworoide, Sango, Super Story and several Yoruba-language films that contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s movie industry.
In his distinguished academic career, he earned a doctorate degree in Drama from University of Ibadan and lectured at Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University and Elizade University.
His career spanned acting, teaching and cultural advocacy, making him a prominent voice in the growth of theatre arts in Nigeria.
