Akinwumi Isola Listen^ⓘ(24 December 1939^[1][2] – 17 February 2018) was a Yoruba playwright, novelist, actor, dramatist, culture activist and scholar.^[3] He was known for his writing in, and his work in promoting, the Yoruba language.^[4] As an actor, he was known for Agogo Eèwò (2002), Efunsetan Aniwura (1981) and Efunsetan Aniwura (2005).

Early life and career

Isola was born in Ibadan in 1939. He attended Labode Methodist School and Wesley College. He then studied at the University of Ibadan, earning a B.A. in French.^[5][6]

He was appointed professor at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1991. Isola wrote his first play, Efunsetan Aniwura,^[7] during 1961-62 while still a student at the University of Ibadan. This was followed by a novel, O Le Ku. In 1986, he wrote and composed the college anthem that is currently sung in Wesley College Ibadan.^[8][9][10]

He went on to write a number of plays and novels. He broke into broadcasting, creating a production company that has turned a number of his plays into television dramas and films. Though he claimed, "my target audience are Yorubas", Isola also wrote in English^[11] and translated to Yoruba.^[4] He spent his lifetime producing works that promoted the Yoruba language.^[12]

On May 4, 2015, his book Herbert Macaulay and the Spirit of Lagos was staged at the Performing Arts Theatre of the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. It was directed by Adams Abdulfatai Ayomide for the annual season of plays festival.^[13]

In 2000, in recognition of his immense contributions, he was awarded the National Merit Award and appointed a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Georgia.^[14][12]

Personal life

Isola was married and had four children.^[15] He died on 17 February 2018 in Ibadan, Oyo State, aged 78.^[16]

References

Links

• Interview from The Sun newspaper
• Profile