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It suddenly dawned on me that one of my mentors, Prof. Sola Fosudo, will turn 70 and retire from active service at Lagos State University in March 2027.
And that thought took me down memory lane.
Uncle Sola, as I have always called him, was everything a young creative person could admire in my undergraduate days at LASU.
I was an English student, but he taught us Theatre courses at a time when there was no Department of Theatre Arts at LASU. Uncle Sola and his colleagues trained us in practically everything we needed to know about the stage. In fact, my set became the guinea pigs for LASU’s first Convocation Play in 1996 — Three Suitors, One Husband.
Later, I acted in The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland, playing one of the major roles. The play was directed by Uncle Sola. Those experiences awakened and nurtured a creative side of me that has remained part of my life till today.
When I became President of the English Students’ Association (ESSA), Uncle Sola gave me his full support. That was the period I organised Miss ESSA at the Satellite Theatre . Looking through these old photographs now, I realise just how much of our student experience he helped to shape.
Over the years, our relationship evolved.
He was first my teacher.
Then my Oga.
Then my mentor.
And eventually, my collaborator.
Looking at my own trajectory today — from academia to advocacy, media and creative productions — I can see very clearly that some of the seeds were planted during those formative encounters with Uncle Sola.
So, how do we honour a man who has spent decades teaching, mentoring, creating and opening doors for others?
One opportunity is already before us. A commemorative book is being prepared in honour of Prof. Sola Fosudo at 70 and on his retirement, and I will be contributing a chapter.
I think I already know what I am going to write about. 😊 And, of course, you will be among the first to read it.
But I also want to reach out to those who knew Uncle Sola in our days at LASU — former students, colleagues, theatre people and friends.
Let us come together and honour him.
If you were one of Uncle Sola’s students, worked with him, acted under his direction, or have a memorable story about him, I have created a WhatsApp group specifically for us to discuss how we can come together to honour him.
Join the WhatsApp group here:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DPuoXo5FVlQANrGvX1T1RH?mode=gi_t
As he approaches this important milestone, Uncle Sola deserves our support, celebration and prayers.
Some teachers teach you a course.
Others become part of your life story.
Uncle Sola is certainly one of mine.
Shall we do this?
#SolaFosudoAt70 #LASU #Mentorship #Theatre #CelebratingOurMentors #ProudlyLASU.
SB E-news.
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