On May 31, 1916, the late Chief Ogunde was born in Ososa, Ogun State. While serving in the Nigeria Police Force, Ogunde wrote and produced his first folk opera in 1944. In order to earn money for a building, the Lagos church he attended planned to put on a “native air opera.” The Garden of Eden and the Throne of God, a performance at the renowned Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island, combined biblical themes with Yoruba dance-drama customs. It turned out to be a huge hit and inspired Ogunde to compose further operas.
Ogunde left the police force in March 1945 to start the African Music Research Party, which would become a professional group a year later. He founded Nigeria’s first professional theatrical group and was a pioneer in the genre of Nigerian folk opera.
Through his performances, Ogunde aimed to expose the wrongdoings and faults of society and government while also rekindling interest in his nation’s traditional culture.
Ogunde passed away in London’s Cromwell Hospital on April 4, 1990; the National Gallery of Modern Art in Lagos is home to his portrait.
