Renowned playwright, Akinwunmi Isola is dead

136

Renowned Nigerian playwright, screenwriter, poet and actor, Akinwunmi Isola is dead.

He died earlier today in his base, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Ishola passed away at the age of 79.

He was born in Ibadan in 1939, attended Labode Methodist School and Wesley College.

He studied at the University of Ibadan, earning a B. A. in French.

Isola earned an M.A. in Yoruba literature from the University of Lagos in 1978 before commencing academic work as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University.

The deceased was appointed Professor at the same University in 1991.

Isola wrote his first play, Efunsetan Aniwura, during 1961 and 1962 whilst still a student at the University of Ibadan. This was followed by the novel O Leku, all of which were made into motion pictures by filmmaker, TundeKelani

Also, in 1986, he wrote and composed the college anthem that is currently being sung in Wesley College Ibadan.