The family of the late veteran Nigerian actor, dramatist, and theatre scholar, Chief Dr. Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, widely known as Kola Oyewo, has officially released the schedule for his three-day burial rites. The legendary cultural icon and academic, who passed away on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Oba-Ile, Osun State, in a series of events running from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.
According to a funeral programme obtained by Zoyols News from the family and the Bangbola Oyewo Memorial Committee, the final journey begins on Wednesday, August 5, with a wake and service of songs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Igboya, Ile-Ife. The following morning, Thursday, August 6, a commendation mass will be held at the same church to honour his memory.
Later that Thursday evening, the focus shifts to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where the late Associate Professor of Drama spent years shaping minds. Colleagues, students, and admirers will gather at the university’s Oduduwa Hall for an Artistes’ Night featuring cultural performances and heartfelt tributes. Alongside this, a special exhibition celebrating his life through photographs, publications, and creative works will open at the Pit Theatre in the African Studies Building, running through Friday.
The final day of the rites, Friday, August 7, will see the late actor’s remains leave his residence at Ese-Ola Compound, Oba-Ile, for a Requiem Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Labaluyegbe Villa in a private interment reserved strictly for family members and close associates. A public reception for guests will follow immediately at the Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.
In their announcement, the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House described the patriarch as a beloved father, grandfather, traditional leader, and irreplaceable pillar of Nigerian theatre.
His passing marks the definitive end of an era. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Kola Oyewo seamlessly crossed the worlds of stage, screen, and academia, mentoring generations of playwrights and performers while remaining a steadfast guardian of Nigerian cultural heritage.
