Duro Ladipo: A Real god of Thunder - former unilag VC

In many cultures, the thunder god is frequently known as the chief or king of the gods, such as Indra in Hinduism, Zeus in Greek mythology, and Perun in ancient Slavic religion, Sango olukoso in Yoruba or a close relation thereof.

In Yoruba mythology, Sango also known as Jakuta is perhaps the most popular Orisa; he is the god of thunder and lightning and as well one of the most worshipped gods all over the world as Statue of Sango was erected in front of a building in Marina.

Sango was a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom.

Meanwhile no replacement has ever been found for Sango “olukoso ayajo ina” in the modern world until the evolution of the African culture projector chief  Duro ladipo in the 90s.

Duro Ladipo existence has remained fresh in the memories of both young and old, since his demise on the 11th of March 1978.

A spectacular experience
 was on the day of his death according to his wife Abiodun Caroline Duro ladipo.

She stressed that "My husband sangoism was proved the day he died, there was a light rainfall accompanied by a heavy thunderstorm which shook the entire university college hospital Ibadan.

"Aside perfect and unreplicable role he played in several works he used to explore the beauty of African culture. His extraordinary realism has made sango worshipers to often consult him for knowledge. "

Forty-one years after his demise, The need to honour the founder of imbari imbayo cultural group late Duro ladipo brought together topnotch of Yoruba and African culture at the centre for black culture and international understanding, Osogbo led by the Ataoja of Osogbo land Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Larooye II.

Speaking at the 41years memorial lecture organized by the chairman board of trustees of the center for black culture and international understanding, prince olagunsoye oyinlola,  The secretary to the state government of Osun, who was the producer of late Duro ladipo's work, prince wole oyebamiji maintained that realism was the focus of all the duro ladipo works  he produced.

Prince oyebamiji emphasized that "we tour all sacred places in Yoruba land during the research of Igbo irunmole and working with him was never boring".

Former deputy vice chancellor of the university of Lagos, prof.  Duro oni delivered lecture on design and aesthetic elements in duro ladipo's obakoso and moremi.

He noted that though Albert ogunde and Adelove were seniors to Duro ladipo in African drama but Duro ladipo was the proprietor of arts and design as well as African instrumentals  in the African drama.

He claimed that "The extent of reality in duro ladipo's work made people to believe that he is the second sango olukoso.

"His most famous play, Ọba kò so (The King did not Hang), a dramatization of the traditional Yoruba story of how Ṣango became the Orisha of Thunder, received international acclaim at the first Commonwealth Arts Festival in 1965 and on a European tour, where a Berlin critic, Ulli Beier, compared Ladipọ to Karajan.

"Chief Horst Ulrich Beier, known as Ulli Beier through duro ladipo had a pioneering role in developing literature, drama and poetry in Nigeria.

"Duro Ladipọ wrote ten Yoruba folk operas combining dance, music, mime, proverbs, drumming and praise songs".