Ooni of Ife Pays Tribute to Late Nollywood Icon Kola Oyewo

The passing of veteran Nollywood actor and theatre scholar, Pa Kola Oyewo, has elicited an outpouring of tributes from various quarters, with the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, being the latest to pay his respects. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni's Palace, Moses Olafare, the monarch described Oyewo as a pride of Yorubaland, whose remarkable contributions to theatre, culture, and education would be remembered for a long time. Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo was a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry, known for his impressive stage presence, film performances, and academic theatre practice. According to the Ooni, Oyewo's legacy extends beyond the entertainment industry, as he was a distinguished scholar and cultural ambassador who dedicated his life to promoting the rich heritage of the Yoruba people. The monarch noted that Oyewo's impact was felt not only in Ile-Ife, where he spent a significant part of his life, but also in the entire Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole. Oyewo's works, the Ooni said, would remain indelible in the history of Nigerian performing arts. The Ooni prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and extended his condolences to the Oyewo family, urging them to take solace in his impactful life and achievements.