PROGENITOR OF YORUBA LITERATURE, AKINWUNMI ISOLA IS DEAD
He also obtained M.A. in Yoruba Literature from the University of Lagos in 1978 before commencing academic work as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University where he was appointed a professor in 1991.
The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, in reaction described the death of the renowned playwright and literary giant as a “colossal loss” not only to his immediate family but to Oyo state, the Yoruba race and the world at large.
Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, said that he received the news of the death of the Ibadan-born culture ambassador and progenitor of Yoruba literature with “disbelief and utter shock”.
His words By his death, the governor said the state had lost a venerated son of the soil, who devoted his life to the promotion of Yoruba culture through his creative works and huge contributions to the global body of knowledge.
“Prof Akinwumi Isola was an unabashed believer in the promotion of the Yoruba language, which he once demonstrated by being the first person to deliver a university convocation lecture in Yoruba at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, which was very unconventiona’l.
“But, in the words of William Shakespeare ‘All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.’ Baba has played his parts and he has exited gloriously. A ku ara fe ra ku,” the governor said.
