Yoruba language enthusiasts
gathered in the premises of the late Pa Thomas Akindele Adeniji Ladele to celebrate his demise in a night of
spoken words and dance strictly in Yoruba language tagged, Asale Asayan Oro, to give a befitting burial to the late writer. It
was an event garnished with Literary Salute like it is done in the military.
Welcoming people to the event,
Arch Abraham Iyiola Ladele revealed that the event was designed to portray what
their father stood for culturally while he was alive. He noted that his
father’s demise is a challenge for others to take the rightful position to keep
the culture aglow anywhere in the world.
“Baba Ladele has passed on and he
handed over the baton to us with the challenge that this culture must not die.
This celebration is largely artistic and it would be an entertaining evening
that would spur cultural renaissance,” he added.
The Programme Chairman for Asale
Asayan Oro, Oyeleke Odoje said that the event is throwing a challenge to the
Yoruba writing community to learn to celebrate the early writers both while
they are alive and even in death.
He continued, “Baba Ladele is a colossal
Yoruba writer and we must treat him as such; we cannot afford to commit him to
mother-earth without adding some literary funfair. Some of his works that be
showcased tonight are aspects of culture that he has worked upon. Soldiers give
gun salute to their veterans; we are giving literary salute to the writer.”
While speaking in a chat with the
Programme Secretary on the selection of the performers, Olutayo Irantiola, he
said, Baba Ladele is a man of distinction in all areas of human endeavor and
those performing tonight will be from the different areas.
He said:, “The performers for the
event include, his former students, one of which is Mr Kunle Afolabi, Retired
Deputy Director, West African Examination Council, Ghana; Mr Sola Akande, a
Yoruba cultural and CEO, Yew Prints, Ibadan; Students of the Yoruba Language
Society from the University of Ibadan and Adeyemi College of Education, Oyo, African
Concept Troupe, Ibadan and his grandchildren also.”
The atmosphere was filled with
chants such as Ijala, Rara Sinsun, Esa,
readings were done from his books he authored and different Yoruba dance steps
to the admiration of everyone present.
Baba TAA Ladele, the author of Je N lo Gba Temi, Igba Lode, Ibi Aye Nyi
and other cultural books. He passed on at the ripe age of 94 in the month of
August, 2014.
