By David Adebayo
An outpouring of grief has swept through Nigeria’s creative community following the death of Kola Oyewo, a celebrated scholar and master of the stage.
In the wake of his passing, fellow thespians are honoring his legacy by recounting the profound lessons and cherished memories they shared with the icon during his final months.
Among those struggling to come to terms with the loss is veteran actor Dele Odule, who described Oyewo as one of the few senior colleagues he genuinely revered.
Odule recalled spending time with the late actor in recent months and said he remained mentally alert, warm and deeply appreciative of life despite his health challenges.
“Kola Oyewo was more than a colleague to me. He was a man I respected and held in very high esteem. Whenever I was with him, I learnt something. He carried himself with dignity and never allowed his challenges to define him.
“Even during our last conversations, he was calm, reflective and thankful to God. This is a painful loss for all of us,” Odule said.
Actress Toyin Adegbola said she has found herself reflecting on the actor’s 80th birthday celebration held in April, a gathering that brought together family members, friends and industry colleagues to honour a life devoted to theatre, education and cultural preservation.
According to Adegbola, one of the most memorable moments of the celebration was hearing Oyewo speak about attaining the milestone age of 80.
She recalled that the veteran actor expressed gratitude to God for allowing him to witness the landmark age despite his health struggles.
“I am glad I was part of Baba’s 80th birthday celebration in April. Looking back now, it feels even more special. He told us he felt fulfilled and grateful that God allowed him to reach 80 years.
“He was genuinely happy. There was no bitterness in him. He spoke about God’s faithfulness and the love he had received from family, friends and colleagues. I will always cherish that memory,” she said.
For actor Yemi Solade, Oyewo’s death represents the loss of a teacher whose influence shaped his career from his formative years.
Solade recalled meeting the veteran actor while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University, where Oyewo was already regarded as a towering figure in theatre and academia.
“He was not just a lecturer. He was a complete theatre practitioner and a mentor. As students, we looked up to him because he combined scholarship with practical excellence.
“The lessons I learnt from him at OAU stayed with me throughout my career. Baba Kola Oyewo was a thespian of repute whose impact can never be erased from the story of Nigerian theatre,” Solade said.
On his part, the President of The Golden Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria, Saidi Balogun, described the actor’s passing as a devastating blow to Nollywood and the wider performing arts community, noting that his generation laid the foundation upon which today’s industry stands.
“This is a huge loss to the movie industry. We are talking about a man whose contributions spanned decades. He was a bridge between traditional theatre, academia and modern filmmaking.
“The vacuum created by his departure will be very difficult to fill because men of his stature are becoming increasingly rare,” Balogun said.
He added: “Baba was one of the custodians of our culture. He represented excellence, discipline and professionalism. Younger actors should study his life and career because there is so much to learn from the way he conducted himself and served the industry.”
As colleagues shared memories of the deceased, the family formally confirmed the loss through his son, Toyese Oyewo, who disclosed that the veteran actor passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday evening after his prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
“My father died peacefully at home surrounded by those who loved him. While we are saddened by his passing, we are grateful for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.
“We ask everyone to remember our family in prayers at this difficult time and to celebrate the gift of his life while he was with us,” Toyese said.
He further appealed for support and understanding as the family begins mourning the revered actor, assuring admirers that details of funeral arrangements and other activities would be communicated in due course.
Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his acting career with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group in 1964 before rising to become one of the most respected figures in Yoruba theatre.
He became widely celebrated for his portrayal of Odewale in the classic play The Gods Are Not to Blame and later featured in acclaimed productions such as Saworoide and Sango.
Beyond the stage and screen, he built a distinguished academic career, mentoring generations of students while championing the preservation of Yoruba culture and storytelling.
For many of those mourning him today, Kola Oyewo’s greatest legacy lies not only in the characters he portrayed but in the lives he shaped, the knowledge he shared and the enduring values he embodied throughout his remarkable journey.
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