Biography of Ola Rotimi
Ohawale Gladstone Emmanuel Rotimi, best known as Ola Rotimi was born in Sapele former BendelState of Nigeria on 13th April 1983, to an Ijawmother and Yoruba father, so cultural diversity was a curing theme in his work. He was a playwright, stage director, producer, actor, critic, scholar, and teacher. At an early age, he was exposed to a traditional Nigerian heritage of arts. He was educated at Methodist Boys High School in Lagos from 1952 to 1957.
He went to Boston University for a bachelor’s degree in theater arts where he studies playwriting and retired to Nigeria in 1966. While in America, he got married to a French Canadian lady, named Itazela renowned artist, actress, singer, and pianist. In Nigeria, Ola Rotimi took a job at the university of lfe, where he was a research follower from 1966-1967 at the Institute of African studies. He later became the head of creative arts and director at the University of Port-Harcourt.
Biography of Ola Rotimi
The dramatic works of Ola Rotimi are known throughout Africa and have made him one of the most significant playwriters on that continent. While he was at Yale University on a Rock feller fellowship, his socio-political comedy Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again was chosen as Yale’s student play of the year in 1960.
Rotimi examines Nigeria’s history and ethnic traditions in his works. Some of his published works are Introduction to Nigeria Literature, The Gods Are Not to Blame 1971, Kurumi 1971, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again 1977, OvaurumwenNugbaisi 1974, and A Tragedy of The Ruled 1983. Rotimi was in Nigeria unstill he passed away in 2000.
Plays
(1963) To Stir the God of Iron
(1966) Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again—depicts the cocoa farmer and businessman Lejoka-Brown as a self-seeking, opportunistic leader who could make better contributions to his country outside of the political arena.
(1968) The Gods Are Not To Blame—an adaptation of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex; the main character gets trapped by pride, ignorance and the caprices of the divinities.
(1969) Kurunmi
(1970) Holding Talks
(1971) Ovonramven Nogbaisi—the title character simply luxuriates in the grandeur of his office. Although he is a custodian of culture who inspires people, he does not actively participate in their struggles.
(1973) Grip Am
(1973) Invitation into Madness
(1977) Akassa Youmi*
(1979) If: A Tragedy of the Ruled—in If, the young firebrand Hamidu is nowhere to be found when a real commitment is required.
(1985) Hopes of The Living Dead—Rotimi here depicts a different kind of leader: a selfless, result-oriented, committed leadership complemented by followership that believes in the good of the generality of its members through the application of itself to the cause that is beneficial.
When the Criminals Become Judges