40 YEARS ON: DELE ODULE SET FOR MULTI MILLION NAIRA STAGE PLAY .

Popular actor, Dele Odule, will be celebrating his 40 years of active performance on stage in the weeks to come, in other to make the celebration a memorable one , he is planning stage  N10 million naira  play titled ‘Oju Kelekun’ ( Farewell to Reproach.)

The 56-year-old actor disclosed this recently at  a media chat with newsmen  in Abeokuta on the  activities being organised to commemorate his 40 years on stage.

Dele Odule

He also revealed  that over 100 cast and crew would spend at least 21 days rehearsing towards the stage performance, which is expected to hit the stage for its first command performance on June 12 in Abeokuta.

Mr. Odule, who is also the President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers’ Association of Nigeria, further stated  that the entire cast and crew are expected to assemble at Westgate Hotel in Ado-Ekiti from April 23.

In his worlds “I will also like to appeal for sponsorship because the play will be staged in Kwara State as well as all the South-West States. The play Oju kelekun, a social satire written by the talented thespian . will be directed by former Director of the Abuja carnival, Professor Bakare Ojo, a foremost theatre practitioner and the first Professor of dance in Nigeria.

Speaking on why he is passionate about boosting stage performances in Nigeria, Mr. Odule said he was bothered by the fact that stage performances was gradually going into extinction following the demise of the founding fathers of Nigerian theatre such as Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Akin Ogungbe, Kola Oogunmola and Oyin Adejobi.  The actor who is best known for his role in the 1993 hit movie titled Ti Oluwa Nile also disclosed that he has assembled a team of seasoned artists from the academia and travelling theatre to make the venture a reality.

"The idea is to bring back the lost memories. Our youth can then have an opportunity to choose a career in the arts through this form of motivation.” He submitted.

Odule was born in the town of Oru Ijebu, in Ijebu North Local Government of Ogun State  in 1961.He was nominated in the "Best Supporting Actor (Yoruba)" category at the  2014 Best Of Nollywood Awards for his role in the film Kori Koto. Dele started acting in a drama group called Oloko Theatre Group under the mentorship of Mukaila Adebisi. He made his debut appearance in 1986 before he shot into limelight after starring in the movie titled Ti Oluwa Ni Le.  He has since went on to star in over 200 movies.

Ojo Bakare

The creative  actor holds a Grade II Certificate from the Teacher's Training College, Oru before he proceeded to studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan,Oyo State .