Guild Of Theatre Arts Drummers To Stage “Echoes Of The Drums”

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2024

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Guild Of Theatre Arts Drummers To Stage “Echoes Of The Drums”—-The Guild of Threatre Arts Drummers (GOTHAD) is set to stage the “Echoes of the Drums”, a play written by Ola Awakan, in commemoration of the World Drummers’ Day, on April 4, in Abuja.

The play is centred around the need to embrace love, unity and explore the nation’s cultural diversities.

Awakan disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos during the presentation of a preview for the stage production of the play.

He said that Nigerians must realise the importance of drumming to nation-building.

According to him, drumming allows for tourism development, cultural renewal, drum education, development of unity, harmony and peace as well as encouraging communal living.

He said that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu would be the special guest of honour at the World Drummers Day commemoration.

According to him, the ceremony will also feature the launch of the book which has been finally published.

“The play will be exhibited at the National Universities Commission and the book will be reviewed by Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

“The book is an attempt to make people realise that drums are beyond what people feel they are, drums have inherent spirit in them.

“The book was written in 2005, it won a prize in 2015 and in 2021 an excerpt of it was performed by GOTHAD, which was the first time the play went on stage. In 2022, the National Troupe of Nigeria produced the play in commemoration of the 62nd independence of Nigeria.

“After the play is staged, I will embark on what I call “global drumication”, which I coined to educate Nigerians on how drums can be veritable means of communication. So, we will be taking the play to Nigerian universities.

“I intend to use the book for drum education because I observed that the power, potency and significance of drums have not been explored.

“I will also have the book in movies and later in animation form,” he said.

L-R: Seun Awobajo, Creative Director, Foot Print of David, Tairu Ajibola, one of the casts; Isioma Williams, Director of the play and Ola Awakan, Playwright and Producer of the play

Isioma Williams, Director of the play, who is also the National Coordinator of GOTHAD, assured Nigerians of an exciting presentation as the crew would be delivering above people’s expectation.

“The history of World Drummer’s Day can be traced back to more than a decade ago, in 2013, when it was founded by Christian Schages.

“Schages is a personal friend, a professional drum teacher with his own drumming school located in Germany.

“We will have over 20 drummers moved from Lagos to Abuja to stage the play,” he said.

One of the cast in the play, Seun Awobajo, Creative Director of Footprints of David, said that the crew had been on the play for over three years.

He said it was fascinating for him to see a single play touch on all aspects of nation building.

He noted that in line with the theme for the World Drummers Day for the year, “Let Music And Rhythm Rule The World”, GOTHAD considers it neccesary to stage the play to expose Nigerians to the rhythm of drums and its essence.

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BREAKING: Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Dies at 80

Published

2 weeks ago

August 25, 2026

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BREAKING: Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Dies at 80—-The legendary singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist leaves behind a six-decade legacy that transformed country music and reached audiences around the world.

Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing an end to one of the most extraordinary careers in American music.

Parton’s family confirmed her death on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with her nephew Bryan Seaver announcing the news through a video shared on her official social media accounts.

The announcement comes after Parton had recently spoken publicly about health challenges that had affected her over the past year.

A Six-Decade Musical Legacy

Born in Tennessee in 1946, Parton rose from poverty to become one of the most influential and recognisable entertainers in the world.

Her career began in the 1960s and eventually produced some of country music’s most enduring songs, including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”

She wrote approximately 3,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records worldwide, establishing herself not only as a performer but also as one of the most accomplished songwriters of her generation.

Her composition “I Will Always Love You” achieved another level of global success when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992.

From Country Star to Global Icon

Parton’s influence extended well beyond music.

She became a successful actress, starring in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, while also building a major business empire around her brand and the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.

Her distinctive voice, songwriting ability, humour and instantly recognisable appearance made her one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers.

A Legacy of Giving

Away from entertainment, Parton was also renowned for her philanthropy.

Her Imagination Library literacy programme has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children, while she supported numerous charitable and humanitarian causes throughout her life.

She also donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research, further cementing her reputation as an entertainer who used her wealth and influence to support causes beyond the music industry.

The End of an Era

Parton’s death marks the passing of one of the defining figures of modern country music.

Across nearly six decades, she successfully crossed musical, cultural and generational boundaries while remaining closely connected to the Appalachian roots that shaped her early life.

With her death, the world loses not only a country music superstar but also a songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose influence extended far beyond the stage.

Dolly Parton was 80.

May her soul rest in peace.

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BREAKING: Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’s’ Remains Arrive Ilaro for Burial as Nollywood Stars Gather to Pay Last Respects

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2026

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BREAKING: Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’s’ Remains Arrive Ilaro for Burial as Nollywood Stars Gather to Pay Last Respects—-The remains of the late Yoruba film icon have arrived in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, ahead of his final rites as family, friends, colleagues and residents mourn his passing.

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have arrived in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, ahead of his burial today, Monday, August 24, 2026.

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The arrival of the late actor’s remains has drawn family members, friends, colleagues and residents to Ilaro as preparations for his final rites get underway.

Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, at the age of 66, following a battle with stage-four cancer. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Hassan, and announced by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

Nollywood Stars Arrive to Honour Ogogo

Several prominent figures from the Yoruba film industry have already arrived in Ilaro to pay their final respects to the celebrated actor.

@juju_tvmedia
Ogogo’s children mourned their daddy We’re live at the burial service of the late veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, who passed away at the age of 66. May his soul rest in perfect peace. 🕊️ 📍Ilaro, Ogun State

♬ original sound – JUJU TV

Veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko were among those seen in the town, while actress Ireti Osayemi also arrived as mourners gathered to bid Ogogo farewell.

@sophisticatedowambe
Libe up at Ogogo burial servuce

♬ original sound – sophisticatedowambeexclusive

The atmosphere in Ilaro has been marked by grief as residents and members of the entertainment community remember an actor whose career spanned more than four decades.

@ajoketv
Actress Ireti Osayemi arrives llaro, Ogun state for late actor Ogogo’s funeral rites set to hold this morning

♬ original sound – Ajoketv

Burial to Follow Islamic Rites

Ogogo’s burial is expected to be conducted according to Islamic rites.

Earlier announcements from the Ilaro Muslim Community stated that the burial prayer would take place at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro. Reports from local sources put the prayer at 10:00 a.m., while an earlier announcement by Jide Kosoko had listed an 11:00 a.m. lying-in-state ceremony at the Ilaro Pavilion.

@onpointtalk_media
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI’UN 🕊️ Family, Friends and Colleagues gather for the burial rite of our beloved Legend Actor Alhaji Hassan Taiwo (Ogogo). May Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss. 🤲🏽 📍 Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, Ilaro Stay Onpoint Always #onpointtalkmedia #MediaAwonLobaLoba #onpointtalk

♬ original sound – MediaAwonLobaLoba

A Career That Spanned More Than Four Decades

Born in Ilaro on October 31, 1959, Taiwo Hassan became one of the most recognisable figures in Yoruba cinema.

He began his acting career in the early 1980s and eventually became a full-time actor after years of working in other professions. Over the decades, he built a reputation through memorable performances in productions including Owo Blow, Omo Ghetto, Omin, Tenant of the House and Aníkúlápó.

His contribution to Yoruba-language filmmaking earned him a lasting place among Nigeria’s most respected veteran actors.

A Town Mourns Its Son

The arrival of Ogogo’s remains has brought the actor’s remarkable career and final journey back to the community where his life began.

As Ilaro prepares to lay one of its most celebrated sons to rest, colleagues, fans and residents continue to pay tribute to a man whose work helped shape generations of Yoruba cinema.

Taiwo Hassan “Ogogo” was 66. May his soul rest in peace.

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