…she was an authority on Nigeria’s culture, tradition – TAMPAN, YOFMAN
…I chatted with her few hrs before death – Kwara Arts Council boss
By Ahmed Ajikobi and Kayode Adeoti
While Christians were engrossed in the euphoria of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death on Easter Monday, family, friends and colleagues of Managing Director of National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, Dr (Mrs) Stella Oyedepo were left mourning following the death of the former Kwara State Arts Council boss.
Mrs Oyedepo was said to have died while returning to Lagos from an official trip in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to report, her car rammed into an articulated vehicle at Sagamu along the Benin- Ijebu-Ode Express road.
The deceased was until her death, the proprietor of ‘Mama Africa’, a popular hospitality outfit located at Fate in Ilorin.
When our reporter visited the family residence of Oyedepo along Fate area, Ilorin, yesterday, husband of the deceased Mr Oyedepo was noticed being consoled in the sitting room by friends and relatives.
The widower is an uncle to the President of Winners Chapel and Founder, Hallmark University, Omu Aran, Bishop David Oyedepo.
The deceased’s eldest daughter, Yejide Oyedepo, who spoke with this medium in an emotional laden voice, lamented the death of her mother saying she was everything to her.
According to her, Mrs Oyedepo had premonition of her death hence her decision to live everyday as if it was her last.
Speaking further, she said it will be difficult for the family to recover from the passing of her mother.
“I will miss everything about her, all what she represented. Mummy always lived as if there was premonition something will happen. She acted as if every moment could be her last minute on earth.
“She lived as if every day was going to be her last. She died at 69 but as a fulfilled mother,” Yejide stated.
Similarly, the manager of Mama Africa Hotel, Stephen Bello, who also spoke with this medium, described the deceased as a saviour that has contributed immensely to his life.
“She was my saviour and I can never forget her. How I will move on from here remains a puzzle. I’ve spent seven years with her and I’ve no reason to regret. She was a boss that will not hurt anyone and madam brought me into this hotel as the manager.
“She called me every morning to find out what is going on in the hotel, she was diligent, and she maintained high standard in all she did, I’ll miss her,” he lamented.
Kwara State Arts Council reacts
Speaking with our reporter, yesterday, the Director, Kwara State Arts and Culture, Bisi Oyewole described Dr Oyedepo’s death as tragic adding that they chatted online few hours before her death on Monday.
” We chatted online around 9am on Monday only to hear about her death when I got to the office, yesterday (Tuesday).
“She was a good writer with many playwrights. She valued everybody and sees everybody as an asset no matter how physically challenged.
“She was a senior lecturer when I was lecturer III at the College of Education (COED), Ilorin and she has produced a lot of lecturers.
“She was the director of Arts Council for 17 years and she encouraged everyone to further their education. It will be difficult to match the legacy she left,” Oyewole stated.
Speaking further, he said, under Oyedepo’s leadership, the Kwara State troupe travelled and performed in countries like China, Spain, Cuba and The Gambia winning many trophies.
“She was down to earth and she related with everybody as if they were mates. I learnt so many things from her as she carried me along in whatever she was doing. I also gained knowledge through her books and one of those she produced is Professor Bayo Lawal of the University of Ilorin.
In his words, the Staff Officer, Abdulkareem Isiaq said he met the deceased when he was first posted to the council in 1992 with the late Oyedepo as director.
“She was a friendly mother to everyone and during her reign, the Kwara State troupe was recognized beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“We were always invited to perform in Abuja anytime a president visits Nigeria. Madam Oyedepo never discriminated against anyone and she encouraged her staff to advance their studies. She even paid school fees and medical bills of many,” he said.
…Kwara YOFMAN, TAMPAN mourn
In a related development, the leadership of Yoruba Film Makers Association of Nigeria (YOFMAN) and Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Kwara State chapter, have reacted to the passing of Dr Oyedepo.
Speaking with our reporter yesterday, the National Leader of YOFMAN, Alhaji Abdulmaliq Olorunfemi said the late Oyedepo was an icon, good leader and prolific story writer.
Speaking further, Olorunfemi said, “She knows and understands Nigeria’s culture and tradition to a fault. Also, you can’t differentiate between her and the artistes during rehearsals because she mingled with everyone. She interacted perfectly with people. She consistently sourced advertisement and she remitted the proceeds into the account of the state government.
“As Governor of Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) in the state for eight, I regularly sought advice from her,” he disclosed adding that the late Oyedepo won over 50 awards for Kwara State Arts Council.
Similarly, the Kwara State chapter of TAMPAN has commiserated with the family of Oyedepo over her sudden death.
TAMPAN in a statement by its Governor, Sulaiman Ayodeji (Akikanjuode) described the departed National Theatre MD as a patriot who served the state meritoriously as executive director of the state Arts Council before her recent elevation.
The statement further described Dr Oyedepo as a renowned playwright and an authority on the nation’s culture and tradition.
The group prayed Almighty God to grant her eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
The late Oyedepo assumed duty as the incumbent MD/Chief Executive Officer of National Theatre, Iganmu on April 22, 2018.
Mrs Oyedepo was a renowned playwright with over 300 plays to her credit.
Some of her popular works include the 1988 play ’The Greatest Gift’ and her 2001 play ’Brain Has No Gender.’
The latter was written for the Kwara State Ministry of Education for Women-in-Science Programme.
Her first play, ‘Our Wife is Not a Woman’, was written in 1979.
A linguist by training, she also served as a Senior Principal Lecturer at the Kwara State College of Education in the 1980s.
The deceased also served as the director of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture.
She is survived by an aged mother, husband, children and grandchildren.
