Photo Credit: Ibrahim Aisha
‘Tunji Solomon
The Management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Monday, April 20, 2026, honours eminent Nigerians with Award of Excellence in Creative Arts. The award took place during the Interlude of stage performance of Morountodun. The recipients of the award are: the Matron of Nollywood, Madam Joke Silva, veteran actor, Dr. Alex Usifo and the famous playwright, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan. The award took place at The Great Hall, which was filled to its capacity.
THE award ceremony was first conferred on Madam Joke Silva, MFR, who was born in the year 1961, had her education in Nigeria and London respectively. Madam Joke Silva is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and recipient of 2014 national award, MFR. She is endowed with more than 40 years of artistic excellence.
MADAM Silva acknowledged and appreciate the University Management for being counted worthy of the recognition. She
expressed satisfaction for being fulfilled to see the world of science and Technology at LAUTECH coming together to embrace Art. In her words: “This is very important for me to witness this day. Because Science and Technology need to come together… and produce tools art can use”.
THE second recipient of the Award of Excellence in Creative Arts was Dr. Alex Usifo, who was born in the year 1963,had his education in Nigeria, especially LAUTECH and BABCOCK respectively. He was part of versatile, resilient and creative member of FESTAC 77 Crew for national television and related outfits.
In his acceptance speech and appreciation of the award conferred on him, Dr. Usifo stated that LAUTECH is his academic family. In his words: “LAUTECH is my academic family”. He used the occasion to admonition the budding and promising male and female cast to begin to learn to detach themselves from stage to screen.
The third recipient was Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, whose citation was read by Professor Niyi Osunbade of English and Literary Studies, LAUTECH. Prof. Osofisan had his education in Nigeria at the prestigious University of Ibadan and Universite de Paris. He is a prolific writer and recipient of numerous national and international awards with more than 60 plays to his name. He appreciated the University Management on the conferment of the award and acknowledged the presence of dignitaries who graced the award and performance of the Convocation play: Morountodun; as an honour to his art and creativity.
THE Registrar, Mrs. Olayinka Balogun, appreciated the recipients for being inspiration and rare Nigerians in the era of scarce examples. Mrs. Olayinika prayed for their continuous signicance and relevance within and beyond Nigerian theatre and literary space.
OTHER activity outlined for the 18th Convocation of the University is the Convocation Lecture expected to hold today, April 21, 11am at The Great Hall. Members of the University community and the general public are cordially invited.
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
