LAUTECH celebrates Osofisan, JokeSilva, Usifo with creative arts honour

There was colour, nostalgia, and sustained applause at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, as the institution on Monday honoured three towering figures of Nigerian theatre and film—Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, veteran actress Joke Silva, and actor Alex Usifo—with its Theatre Arts Award of Excellence in Creative Arts.

The recognition, presented during the university’s 18th Convocation Interlude, unfolded inside a packed Great Hall where academia met performance in a rare convergence of science, technology, and the arts. The ceremony coincided with a stage performance of Morountodun, one of Osofisan’s celebrated plays, adding symbolic depth to an already emotionally charged evening.

LAUTECH Vice-Chancellor, R. O. Rom Kalilu, described the honours as part of the university’s broader commitment to cultural development. He noted that the institution sees creativity not as separate from science and technology, but as an essential driver of societal growth. “We are committed to the development of culture,” he said, underscoring the university’s effort to integrate artistic expression into its academic identity.

The first recipient to be honoured was Joke Silva, whose career spans over four decades across stage, television, and film. Born in 1961 and trained in Nigeria and London, she is a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Her citation, read by Dr. Tolu Odiase, highlighted a life devoted to artistic excellence and cultural influence. In her response, Silva expressed gratitude to the university for recognising the arts within a science and technology-driven institution. “This is very important for me to witness,” she said. “Science, technology and the arts need to come together for the benefit of humanity.”

Next to receive the award was Alex Usifo, whose career in television and film has made him one of Nigeria’s most recognisable screen figures. Born in 1963, Usifo’s academic and professional journey includes studies at LAUTECH and Babcock University, as well as early involvement in Nigeria’s broadcast history, including participation in FESTAC ’77 productions. His citation was delivered by Dr. Odunayo Olajuwon of the Mass Communication Department. In his acceptance speech, Usifo described LAUTECH as more than an institution, calling it his “academic family.” He used the moment to encourage young performers to master the transition between stage and screen, noting that versatility remains key in the creative industry.

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The final honour went to Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, one of Africa’s most influential playwrights, with over 60 plays to his name and a distinguished academic background spanning the University of Ibadan and the Université de Paris. His citation, presented by Professor Niyi Osunbade of English and Literary Studies, traced a career defined by intellectual depth and artistic innovation. Osofisan, whose works often interrogate power and society, received a standing ovation as colleagues and former students escorted him to receive his plaque.

In his remarks, he expressed appreciation to the university and acknowledged the significance of the occasion, particularly the staging of Morountodun in his honour. The atmosphere inside the hall was further enriched by a surprise appearance from three broadcast professionals—Wale Jimoh, Taiye Ogundiran, and R. A. Yusuf—who played key roles in launching Usifo’s early career at NTA Ilorin nearly 45 years ago. Their reunion on stage added a layer of nostalgia that resonated deeply with attendees. Former students of Osofisan, now established academics themselves, also contributed to the emotional tone of the evening. Professors Ade Adejumo, Wumi Raji, and Omotayo Oloruntoba-Oju were among those who celebrated the playwright, with some joining in song as they accompanied him to receive his award.

The Head of the Department of Theatre Arts, Prof. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, who directed the performance of Morountodun and anchored the event, described the inclusion of Nollywood and theatre icons in the university’s convocation as a deliberate effort to bridge academic theatre with lived performance practice.