Organizers unveil programme for 85th birthday of Lere Paimo, creator of epic film ‘Ogbori Elemoso’
Yinka ADETUNJI
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The ceremony for the 85th birthday of Chief Lere Paimo, a popular thespian, will come up on Thursday, September 19, 2024 in his hometown, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, it has been disclosed.
The organizers made up of Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF) and other stakeholders including theatre arts practitioners inform the occasion will be a grand one.
According to a press statement titled, “Celebrating a colossus at 85,” and signed by Rev’d Peter Olaleye (chairman planning committee and who is president of OCYF), Dr Adeniji Idowu (secretary OCYF), Prince Ojo Olanrewaju Emmanuel (representative of Baba Lere Paimo’s family) and Chief Ajoke Kosemani a.k.a. Sakora (a thespian), the event will hold at Havillah Event Centre, Oke-Owode, starting 12noon.
“Baba Chief Lere Paimo a.k.a. Eda Onileola, a connoisseur of theatre art, will clock 85 years on Thursday, September 19, 2024,” the statement says.
“Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF) and other stakeholders including practitioners in the theatre industry are set to mark the auspicious occasion with a grand celebration,” it adds.
Asserting the special chief, the Arobajo of Ogbomosoland, has made immense contributions to the expansion of drama industry in Nigeria and helped to create the cinema now known as Nollywood, the organizers submit his colossal achievements is the motivation for the celebration as they note however the man popularly called Eda Onileola by admirers is not new to honours.
“The thespian’s contribution to the expansion of the industry cannot be overemphasized; he is unarguably a colossus of theatre art in Nigeria, whose extraordinary input led to the birth of Nollywood, which is one of the biggest cinemas in the industry globally.
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“It is in realization of this that we are propelled to plan this bash for him, after all, one of the greatest honours one can hope to attain is to be celebrated by others, implying one’s immense contributions in a particular field is excitingly recognized. Baba Eda is not strange to being accorded such honours, he has no doubt been bestowed with several of such in the past but we recognize his 85th birthday presents another opportunity to further deck him in glory. Honour for a worthy individual, who is defined by performances that expand our horizon can never be in excess after all. Baba has made his mark in a monumental way and deserves such.”
They also stress the many dramas Chief Paimo created or participated in, signaled his prowess, particularly describing Ogbori Elemoso episode, which depicts the foundation of Ogbomoso as well as defines historical dramas and achieves many other goals, as a remarkable one and a huge success.
“His epic film, “Ogbori Elemoso,” will continually be a reference point as it throws light on a very important part of Yoruba history and reaffirms the belief that terrorists, bandits and arch destroyers, no matter their capabilities and brutality of the scourge they unleash, will always, ultimately be defeated, that light will always shine to crowd out darkness.
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“Also, the film brought many actors who are still performing at the highest level, who are household names today into limelight. The creator of a content as that and others with themes of governance, morality and Yorubaness we believe deserves a grand celebration while he is still breathing.”
The event being organized under the auspices of the Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, lists the following as personnel, the Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as Grand Chief Host; Prince Tunde Aremu, CEO of Irorun Farm Booster Ltd., as Chief Host; Dr. Samson Adegoke a.k.a. Maigida as chairman; while the trio of Rev’d. Taiwo Opajobi, Minister-in-Charge of University Baptist Church, Ogbomoso; Sheikh Alhaji Abubakar Musa Adesoji, Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso South Local Government Area; and High Chief Priest (Dr) Alao Opeyemi Ifámakinde, Araba Oluawo of Ogbomosoland, will serve as spiritual fathers on the day.
This is as Justice Afolabi Adeniran (rtd), president of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye, and General Oladayo Popoola (rtd), former military governor of Oyo and Ogun states, are Special Guests of Honour, while royal fathers will include Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Soun of Ogbomosoland; and Oba Francis Olusola Alao, Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.
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Others are Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran, Onpetu of Ijeru; Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji, Alajaawa of Ajaawa; Oba Samuel Babatunde Amao, Aale of Okelerin; and Oba Oyebunmi Ajayi, Oloolo of Oolo.
“Several other dignitaries whose space will not allow us to mention will gracefully attend the occasion. Nonetheless, we expect us all to join as we come together to celebrate a legend, an icon, a pride of Yorubaland nay Nigeria, who promoted and continues to promote the Yoruba culture and tradition with his talents and flair, who gave his all to expand the cinema in Nigeria through projecting the Yoruba values and lighting the path of the upcoming generation, who by dint of hard work attained a legendary status. An inspiration to many, celebrating him magnificently with your presence we believe is worth it,” it is added.
