PASSAGE OF ARTS AND LITERARY

Passage Of Arts and Literary Icons

The year 2008 witnessed the passage of so many people and as well as many births.

Death is inevitable as we will all be pronounced dead one day, but why it is painful is because some are avoidable and can be avoided if the right things are done at the right time. A stitch in time saves nine, so they say.

For instance, if there are good road networks, accident would be reduced the bearest minimum, and where we can boast of good health facilities, untimely deaths will be controlled.

The long arm of death caught erudite Professors like Prof. Ime Ikiddeh of former University of Legon, Ghana, University of Makerere, Kenya, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, University of Calabar and University of Uyo after a brief illness.

Also, Dr. Femi Fatoba, schorlar, writer and actor, lost his life to an untimely death, occassioned by a road accident with some lecturer colleaques.

Others are brillant editor, Abayomi Ogundeji, reknowned musicologist, Steve Rhodes, Ozidi King, Sunny Okosun, highlife Musician Oliver de Coque; Kenerry highlife musician, Orlando Owoh; young musician Sunny Needle.

Also lost to the insatiable hand of death were two former lead characters in Village Headmaster; Oba Funso Adeolu and Oba Wole Amele.

SUSAN WENGER IS CULTURED.

The parents of Susan Wenger did not know what the future had in store for their daughter when she was born. If not, culture would probably have been included in her name.

They also did not know that she would not live and died an Austrian, they would propably have travelled down to Africa, precisely Nigeria, to give birth to her.

But man proposes, God disposes. Susan Wenger, an Austrian-born popularly called Adunni Olorisa, carved a niche for herself with her legendary devotion to Orisa Obatala.

At first, critics were really confused of her genuine motive for Yoruba culture when she came to Nigeria, until she became so devoted and committed.

Adunni arrived Nigeria in 1950 at age 35, as the accompanying wife of Ulli Beier and settled in Ede where she proclaimed her devotion to Obatala, later with the aid of New Sacred Art Movement, a group of artists she founded, built shrine and erected some sculptures for Orisa at Osun groves where she finally settled and died in January 12, 2009, at age 93.

Adunni used her wealth of experience to uplift African art and culture to an international standard.The Osun grove where she proved her mettle was transformed to a level that made the UNESCO confered recognition on the sacred forest as a world tourist centre.

According to Osun State Action Congress (AC), governorship candidate, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, the federal government should immortalise renowned Osun devotee, Susan.

Aregbesola who was represented by his media aide, Gbenga Fayemiwo, described the death of Wenger, a.k.a Adunni Olorisa, as "the end of an era".

He also asserted that "her promotion of Osun festivalas a veritable cultural heritage of Yoruba, Nigerian and African peoples is remarkable and historical.

she worked tirelessly for the creation of the Osogbo School of Arts while it is a final testimony of her promotion of contribution to the promotion of our culture most especially Osun Osogbo.

We called on the federal government to immortalise Adunni Olorisa for her leading role in the making of Nigeria as a cultural heritage where the past is preserved for the present and as beckon for future" Aregbesola said.

Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola described her death as a national loss.

Oyinlola said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr LAsisi Olagunju, that Wenger's efforts earned global recognition for Osun Osogbo festival.

He said, "This is the end of an era. Wenger came to Yorubaland in the early 1950s with her partner, (Ulli) Beier, in search of their spiritual essence (Ori Inu), which she found in the serene spirituality of Osun.

"Wenger represents the enduring bridge across continents and cultures".

Also, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Oyewale Matanmi, said the Osun devotee lived a fulfilled life.