The remains of renowned Nigerian actor and theatre scholar, Chief Dr Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo, will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Osun State according to a funeral programme released by his family.
Oyewo, who died at the age of 80, was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s foremost theatre practitioners, with a career spanning several decades on stage, television and in academia.
In a funeral announcement, the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, described the deceased as “a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler, and a veteran of the Nigerian theatre.”
In a flier issued by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, the three-day funeral programme will run from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.
“With gratitude to God for a life of purpose, honour and enduring impact, the entire Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, announces the passing of our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler and veteran of the Nigerian theatre,” Newspeak quoted the family’s statement as saying on Saturday.
The late actor was also the Balogun of Oba-Ile in Osun State and an Associate Professor of Drama, earning widespread recognition for his contributions to the development of theatre arts in Nigeria.
Activities lined up for the burial rites will commence on Wednesday, August 5, with a wake-keep and service of songs at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife.
On Thursday, August 6, a commendation mass will be held at the same church, while an artistes’ night featuring tributes and cultural displays is scheduled for later that day at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
A major highlight of the funeral programme will be an exhibition of Oyewo’s works and photographs at the Pit Theatre, African Studies Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, beginning on Thursday and continuing through Friday.
The funeral cortege will leave the late actor’s residence at Ese Ola’s Compound, Oba-Ile, on Friday morning before a requiem mass at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile.
Interment will take place at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, August 7, at Labaluyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, in a ceremony restricted to family members and close associates.
A reception for guests will follow at Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.
Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in Nigerian theatre, Oyewo inspired generations of actors, playwrights and scholars through his work in performance, teaching and cultural preservation.
His death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s theatre community, where he remained a respected voice and mentor for decades, the family noted.
Afrobeats singer, Spyro has claimed that religious leaders are “benefiting the most” from the insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.
According to him, most religious leaders are not speaking up as the ought to because of the benefits they get from the deplorable state of the country.
The ‘Who’s Your Guy’ hitmaker who made the claim during a recent interview with Wozabia FM Lagos, insisted that clerics are duty-bound to speak for the wellbeing of their congregations.
He also chided Nigerian clergymen for not giving their congregations proper electoral orientations.
“Nigerian religious leaders should speak up against insecurity. They should tell the people on how to secure themselves and include the issue of insecurity in their sermons. They should also give their congregants proper electoral orientations.
“Unfortunately, they are not doing that because the more the country is spoiling, the more money they make.
“Anywhere there is a crisis in a country, the people who benefit the most are religious leaders.
“We should make sure we hold all our leaders, including clerics, accountable,” he stated.
Seun Kuti, a musician and son of the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has said his father wouldn’t have been great if he wasn’t from a privileged background.
He claimed that Fela’s background as a son of the famous nationalist and activist, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, gave him certain privileges in the music industry and society.
He, however, noted that Fela was hardworking and resilient in the face of challenges.
The Grammy-nominated singer explained that in his family, they are trained to work hard and not rely on their background.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Ada’s Room, Kuti said, “In life, noting comes from nothing. Even my father; Fela cannot be as great as he is if he wasn’t Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s son. If Fela was not born by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, there would be no Fela. You would never have heard about him.
“So, nothing comes from nothing. But the good thing about my family is that you have to work. There is no shortcuts to it.
“I can be a Nepo baby but my father is not on stage playing my sax or writing my songs or touring with me. My father’s name would definitely open doors for me but as soon as you slide in, there is pressure on you to meet the standard he set.
“The fact that you are from a great family, people expect you to have that greatness. Nobody in the professional world wants to be patient with you and watch you grow or invest in you as an artiste. They just assume you have greatness in you and that puts you under a lot of pressure.”
