Veteran Nollywood Actor Kola Oyewo Dies; Baaba J Sets Tone with Accra Live Show

The West African entertainment world is experiencing a bittersweet week — mourning the passing of a giant of Nigerian cinema while celebrating the arrival of a brilliant new voice in Ghanaian music. Kola Oyewo: A Titan of Nigerian Theatre and Film Professor Kolawole Oyewo, widely known as Kola Oyewo, has died at the age of 76, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in Nigerian theatre, academia, and film. Born in Oshogbo, Osun State, Oyewo spent over four decades at the University of Ibadan, where he rose to become one of Nigeria's foremost professors of theatre arts. He was widely regarded as one of the last living links to the golden era of Yoruba travelling theatre, having worked alongside legends such as Duro Ladipo and Hubert Ogunde. On screen, Kola Oyewo became a familiar face in Nollywood, particularly in prestige productions that demanded gravitas and authenticity. He appeared in critically acclaimed titles including Rattlesnake (1995), Evil Passion, and several award-winning Nigerian television dramas. His stage work, however, remained his defining contribution — a body of work that spanned Shakespearean adaptations in Yoruba, original Nigerian theatrical texts, and experimental performance art. "He was not just an actor. He was a custodian of culture," said a statement from the University of Ibadan's Department of Theatre Arts. "His passing leaves an irreplaceable gap not only in Nigerian theatre but in African literature and performance." The Nigerian film industry and arts community have been flooded with tributes. Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan called him "the grandfather of authentic storytelling." Kola Oyewo is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, and by the thousands of students he mentored across his long career. Baaba J Electrifies Accra with Standout Live Show While Nigeria mourns, Ghana is buzzing with excitement after Ghanaian singer-songwriter Baaba J delivered what many in attendance are calling the finest live performance in Accra this year. The show, held at the Alliance Française in Accra's East Legon neighbourhood, brought together over 800 fans for an evening of genre-blending music that wove together Afrobeats, highlife, jazz, and spoken word. Baaba J — born Abena Pokua Boateng — has been building a dedicated following since her debut EP "The Gathering" in 2023. But Saturday night's show demonstrated an artist operating at a completely different level of artistic maturity. Performing across a 90-minute set, Baaba J delivered emotionally resonant original material including standout tracks "River Knows My Name," "Accra at Midnight," and the crowd favourite "Yaa Asantewaa (For the Brave)." She was backed by a seven-piece live band that gave her songs an expansive, living-room intimacy even in a large venue. "There's something special happening with Baaba J," wrote music critic Nana Arhin in a post-show review. "She's not just a singer. She's building a new Ghanaian sound." The Accra performance is expected to be followed by tour dates in London, Toronto, and Amsterdam, where Ghana's diaspora communities have been eagerly awaiting her first international shows.