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By Snr. Chief Lekan Alabi
ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government on Saturday, October 22, 2022 honoued Thespian cum Musicologist, Sir Jimi Solanke with a State Banquet at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The folklore icon and master storyteller, Sir Jimi Solanke, from Isara Remo, Ogun state, was born on July 4, 1942.
I was invited to the ceremony as a Special Guest.
Besides tributes, awards, performances by the Ogun State Cultural Troupe, presentations of Jimi Solanke’s Musical Works/Photo Journal produced the EVERGREEN MUSICAL COMPANY LIMITED headed by Bimbo Esho, we, friends and admirers of Jimi Solanke in Ibadan also made the presentation of a handmade portrait of JS by the world-renowned artist/sculptor, Prince Tunde Odunlade, to the Octogenarian.
If I may recall, I first met Sir Jimi 51 years ago, at the audition held in 1971, by the late world-famous playwright, Professor Ola Rotimi, of the then University of Ife (now the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife), for members of the UNIFE THEATRE, at Ile Ife.
While still at the ODU’A INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED as the pioneer General Manager, Corporate Affairs, I supervised the production of Jimi Solanke’s playlets for children in Yoruba language, and it was sponsored by the OICL.
*Senior Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland writes from Ibadan.
