Eda Onileola: Singing praises of a theatre icon

Chief Olalere Osunpaimo who is popularly known and celebrated as Eda Onileola is one of the leading creative artists of the last two decades. He got his popular name ‘Eda’ through his contribution in the production of Duro Ladipo’s Yoruba Opera, Eda where he played the eponymous character. Eda (Everyman) is a morality play, originally a script in English but translated to Yoruba when it was brought to Ladipo’s Theatre by Ulli Bieir and wife, Susanne Wenger.

Lere Paimo who was born in Ogbomoso town on November 19, 1939, activated an acting career by joining the travelling theatre group founded by Oyin Adejobi and further raised it a notch when he moved to the Duro Ladipo Theatre Group.

His credibility increased among theatre audience when he played Soun Ogunlola in the popular Yoruba epic, Ogbori Elemoso.

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In the year 2005, he was honoured with a National Award, Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in recognition of his contribution to the Nigeria film industry under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

He has worked with theatre players including Akin Ogungbe, Jimoh Aliu, I-show pepper, Kola Oyewo, Aderupoko, Tunde Kelani, Adebayo Faleti, Lanre Hassan, Akinwumi Isola, Iyabo Ogunsola, Abiodun Duro-Ladipo, Bukky Ajayi, Iya Rainbow among others.

Since inception into the theatre ministry, the actor who clocked 80 last November has featured in several projects and earned himself a golden spot in the heart of many theatre audiences for his exceptional delivery anytime he appears on the screen.

Some of the productions he has starred in include Oba Moro, Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Nile, Efunsetan Aniwura, Onikoyi, Ogidan, Toko Taya, Tanbolo, Oro Lanre Pesije, Basorun Gaa, Madam Dearest, Lagidigba, The Bridge and a list of others.

• Ayomide Adams is a graduate of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin. He leads the team at Tour Ibadan, a tourism company which operates in the city of Ibadan. Ayomide who is currently studying for a Masters degree in Media Arts at the University of Ibadan is passionate about culture, media and tourism.