Bowen University, Iwo on Monday announced plans to hold a webinar in honour of renowned playwright, Emmanuel Gladstone Rotimi, popularly known as Ola Rotimi, who died on August 18, 2000.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, while addressing a press conference on the campus of the institution, said the event was meant to mark 20th remembrance of the late playwright.
The Vice-Chancellor was represented by the Provost, College of Liberal Studies, Dr. Grace Oludare.
He said Speakers at the webinar that would be hosted by the Theatre Art Department of the university on Tuesday would include Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Akanji Nasiru, Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof Duro Oni.
Others are Prof. Emmanuel Calvin Emasielu, Prof. Juli Umukoro, Sir Peter Badejo, Dr. Dike Nwachukwu, Mr. Bimbo Manuel, Ola Rotimi Jnr. and Oba Olusegun Akinbola.
Ogunwole described Ola Rotimi as a prolific and skillful playwright who reflected Nigeria’s cultural diversity in his works.
He said, “His philosophical position in all of his plays can be distilled into three levels: To promote inter-ethnic solidarity, to domesticate the English language with a view to making it accessible to all and sundry, and to highlight the advantages of good leadership in our society.
“Among several tangible virtues to be emulated from the good life of Ola Rotimi is his strive for excellence, accountability, drive for hard work, sense of responsibility which still speaks volume till date.”