Nollywood Actor,Producer and a Senior Lecturer, in the Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, Professor Ayo Akinwale is dead.
The Professor died on Sunday at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
His death was confirmed in a statement by Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, Dean, Faculty of Arts, of the university.
He wrote, “TRANSITION TO HIGHER GLORY
“If life is not vanity upon vanity, then, what is it? Death is indeed wicked!
“With heavy heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, I announce the passing on to higher glory of Prof. Ayo Akinwale, of the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin. He died today, the 13th September 2020 at the Unilorin Teaching Hospital.
“May the Almighty God comfort the family and all of us.”
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Akinwale was born to the royal household of Pa Akinwale in the ancient City of Ibadan and attended St. Lukes Demonstration School, Molete Ibadan, Oyo State, and then proceeded to Methodist High School also in Ibadan, where he was introduced to theater arts.
In 1966, he acted as ‘Imodoye’ in a movie titled ‘Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole,’ produced by one of his teachers and then moved to Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo, where he obtained his Senior School Leaving Certificate.
He proceeded to the University of Ibadan before commencing academic work as a lecturer at the Polytechnic Ibadan. He became the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture of the University of Ilorin, and he was also the chairman of Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture.
He was also the pioneer board chairman of the University of Ilorin FM.
Prof Akinwale had written several books and articles on Theatre Arts in Nigeria.
Prof Akinwale’s contribution to the theatre and movie industry in Nigeria gave him the leverage of being assigned South-West Zonal Co-ordinator for the Abuja Carnivals, and also a judge for the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
