1978 – Death of Hubert Ogunde, Father of Nigerian Theatre

June 6, 1978, marked the passing of Hubert Ogunde, often hailed as the “father of Nigerian theatre.” Ogunde revolutionized West African performance art by combining traditional Yoruba storytelling with contemporary themes, including colonial resistance and religious critique. A trailblazer in African cultural expression, Ogunde founded the first professional theatrical company in Nigeria, the Ogunde Theatre Party, in 1945. His plays like Yoruba Ronu challenged political corruption and encouraged national pride. Despite censorship and government crackdowns, Ogunde persisted in using theatre as a tool of activism and education. His death was widely mourned, and his legacy lives on in the continued vibrancy of Nigerian stage drama and Nollywood cinema, both of which draw from his pioneering work in narrative structure, performance, and cultural preservation.