Akinwunmi Isola Explained

Akinwumi Isola
Birth Date:24 December 1939
Birth Place:Ibadan, Nigeria
Death Place:Ibadan, Nigeria
Nationality:Nigerian
Alma Mater:University of Ibadan
Known For:Writing in and promoting the Yoruba language
Awards:National Merit Award
Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters

Akinwumi Isola (24 December 1939[1] [2] – 17 February 2018) was a Yoruba playwright, novelist, actor, dramatist, culture activist and scholar.[3] He was known for his writing in, and his work in promoting, the Yoruba language.[4] As an actor, he was known for Agogo Eèwò (2002), Efunsetan Aniwura (1981) and Efunsetan Aniwura (2005).

Early life and career

Isola was born in Ibadan in 1939. He attended Labode Methodist School and Wesley College. He then studied at the University of Ibadan, earning a B.A. in French.[5] [6]

He was appointed professor at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1991. Isola wrote his first play, Efunsetan Aniwura,[7] during 1961-62 while still a student at the University of Ibadan. This was followed by a novel, O Le Ku. In 1986, he wrote and composed the college anthem that is currently sung in Wesley College Ibadan.[8] [9] [10]

He went on to write a number of plays and novels. He broke into broadcasting, creating a production company that has turned a number of his plays into television dramas and films. Though he claimed, "my target audience are Yorubas", Isola also wrote in English[11] and translated to Yoruba.[4] He spent his lifetime producing works that promoted the Yoruba language.[12]

On May 4, 2015, his book Herbert Macaulay and the Spirit of Lagos was staged at the Performing Arts Theatre of the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. It was directed by Adams Abdulfatai Ayomide for the annual season of plays festival.[13]

In 2000, in recognition of his immense contributions, he was awarded the National Merit Award and appointed a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Georgia.[14] [12]

Personal life

Isola was married and had four children.[15] He died on 17 February 2018 in Ibadan, Oyo State, aged 78.[16]

Links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Conversations with African Writers: Interviews with Twenty-six African Authors. Lee. Nichols. 20 February 1981. Voice of America. Google Books.
  2. Web site: Google Groups. groups.google.com.
  3. Web site: Akinwunmi Ishola: Oyo ANA Ready to Hold Session | PM Parrot. pmparrotng.com. 2020-05-29. 24 March 2018.
  4. Book: Blazing the Path: Fifty Years of Things Fall Apart. Chima Anyadike. Kehinde Ayoola. 2012. 978-9-78-081-18-46. African books Collective. 31 January 2015.
  5. Web site: Nigerians pay tributes to popular Yoruba playwright Akinwunmi Isola. Bona. Sheriff. 2018-02-17. TODAY. en-US. 2020-02-06.
  6. Web site: Renowned Yoruba playwright, Prof Akinwunmi Isola, is dead » Tribune Online. 2018-02-17. Tribune Online. en-GB. 2020-05-24.
  7. Web site: I misrepresented Efunsetan Aniwura in my book. The Punch. 6 August 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044024/http://www.punchng.com/feature/life-times/i-misrepresented-efunsetan-aniwura-in-my-book-prof-akinwumi-isola. 8 August 2014.
  8. Web site: FEATURE: Remains of Prof. Akinwumi Isola laid to rest. www.pmnewsnigeria.com. 13 April 2018. 2020-05-25.
  9. Web site: Ibadan-born Foremost Playwright, Akiwunmi Ishola, Dies at 79. 2018-02-17. InsideOyo.com. en-US. 2020-05-25.
  10. Web site: Renowned Yoruba playwright, Prof Akinwunmi Isola, is dead » Tribune Online. 2018-02-17. Tribune Online. en-GB. 2020-05-04.
  11. Book: PEN America 13: Lovers. PEN America Center. 9780934638326. 31 January 2014.
  12. Web site: Akinwunmi Isola: Life & times of pioneer Yoruba classical literature. 2018-03-04. Vanguard News. en-US. 2020-05-26.
  13. Web site: NgFinders . 2019-10-28 . Akinwunmi Isola: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies - Ngfinders.com . 2022-07-14 . en-US.
  14. Web site: Citation on Professor Akinwunmi Isola. Nigerian National Merit Award. 19 February 2018.
  15. Web site: Akinwunmi Isola: Life & times of pioneer Yoruba classical literature. 2018-03-04. Vanguard News. en-US. 2020-05-24.
  16. Web site: Professor Akinwunmi Isola is dead. 17 February 2018. Lailasnews. 17 February 2018 .

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