The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, on Thursday, celebrated the life and times of the late legendary highlife musician, Chief Oladipupo Owomoyela, popularly known as Dr Orlando Owoh.
The university honoured him with a colloquium and cultural display in conjunction with his global fan group.
The event was organized by the School of Creativity, Culture and Tourism of LASU, which also conferred Ambassadorial fellows on two eminent Nigerians- Chief Mutiu Adepoju, who is a celebrated football administrator and former international football player and coach as well as Dr Adebusola Onilogbo-Odedina, a cultural advocate and Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of the school, Prof. Tunji Azeez, highlighted the significance of the celebration, saying it is to reflect on the life and times of the late music legend, especially as regards how his music promotes culture and creativity.
He described the late Orlando Owoh as a man with many parts and that his music positively touched many lives beyond Nigeria.
The don commended his family, especially his three children-Orimipe, Kunle, Daisi Owoh- who took after their father as musicians.
He said LASU considered his music to be inspirational, which suited most life purposes.
Delivering a lecture on a topic, titled: “Reflecting the contribution of Dr Orlando Owoh,” the guest speaker, who is also a Professor of Music at LASU, Isaac Yekini-Ajenifuja, chronicled the life and times of the late music icon including his foray into theatre, military, and full-time music and death.
The don eulogized late Owoh’s virtues, describing his contribution to music industry, national development and the society at large as priceless.
According to him, Orlando Owoh’s ‘Kennery’ style of Music was full of creativity and culture and most of his albums-no fewer than 45 of them-were mostly borrowed from Yoruba folklore, personal experiences and the Bible.
He however, urged the government, especially in the South-west geopolitical zone and concerned individuals to establish a museum in his honour.
Such a museum, he explained, will not only serve as a legacy but also as a tourism site, generating employment and revenue and boosting the economy generally.
Speaking to Nigerian Tribune on a sideline, Mr. Orimipe Olatunbosun Owoh, who is the first son of the late music legend and president of his global fans group, expressed deep appreciation to LASU’s School of Creativity, Culture and Tourism for celebrating his late father.
He said the honour would encourage the entire family, especially some of them who are into music to keep contributing to the music industry and national development.
He noted that he would particularly follow up on the guest speaker’s recommendation for government or concerned individuals to create a museum in honour of his late father.
Also expressing delight for LASU honoring him as Ambassador of its School of Creativity, Culture and Tourism, Chief Mutiu Adepoju, said the honour was a testament that he is not forgotten as a person who has contributed greatly through sport to Nigeria’s progress.
He said “This honour means a lot to me because it shows that people and a university for that matter have not forgotten the little I have done and contributed through sport to Nigeria and humanity, and I feel humbled about the development.
He said he believes that “there is creativity in sports and also in culture, promising to promote the study and practice of culture and tourism in the country.
Orlando Owoh passed away in 2008 at the age of 76 years.
