Wole Oguntokun, a well-known Nigerian writer and theatrical director, has died.
Oguntokun, a lawyer, died on Wednesday at the age of 56. Kayode Peters, a colleague and film director, confirmed his death on his Instagram page Thursday afternoon.
The post reads:
“I remember that year. I was just cutting my teeth as a professional theatre director. Your search for a director for your script brought you to the University of Lagos and I was your obvious choice
“I directed your first-ever performance story ‘Who is Afraid of Wole Soyinka’ at various theatres including The prestigious Muson Centre which was graced by the great @wolesoyinkaofficial himself
“Some months later, we started DBN TV’s first comedy series ‘Crossworld Blues’ which you produced and I directed.
“You moved to Canada and never stopped encouraging me to follow suit. I lost a friend, a thespian all through and through, a great mind, a writer so gifted, so loved. Nigeria just lost one of her brightest and bravest
“Is it a coincidence that you chose to leave on the day the world celebrated World Theatre Day?“This hurts so bad Wole. Laspapi, our own ojojo. I will miss you so so much. Thank you for trusting me with your work. A good man is gone. Rest well my friend, my brother Wole Oguntokun @laspapi”
Born on July 15, 1967, the late Oguntokun sat on the board of Theaturtle, a Canadian theatrical company.
He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University He produced and scripted the television comedy ‘Crossworld Blues’ on DBN TV in 1999 and ‘Living Free’ on MBI TV in 2002.
In a 2016 interview, popular actor Ozzy Agu stated that he worked on various theater pieces with the late Oguntokun.
He said:
“I did one with Wole Oguntokun titled The Red, which was based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood.”
In other news, Chiwetalu Agu, a veteran actor, has criticized Nigerians on social media for spreading fake news that fellow actor Zack Orji had died.
He stated that individuals who propagate rumors regarding the death of his colleague, Zack Orji, will suffer God’s vengeance.
Recall that Orji collapsed on December 29 and was taken to the intensive care unit of the National Hospital in Abuja.
In January, Hannatu Musawa, the cultural minister, stated that the actor had undergone brain surgery and asked for help.
There were rumors on social media that Orji had died. However, in a live session on his Facebook page, the actor begged fans to reject speculations of Orji’s death.
Agu said:
“God’s wrath will visit” those claiming that the ailing actor is dead.“Please I urge each and every one of you to disregard or shun any post saying that our own veteran actor Zack Orji is late,” he said.“It is nothing but a rumour. My prayer is that may anybody who has a hand in spreading such rumours face the wrath and anger of God.”
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