Femi Robinson

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Frederick Olufemi Robinson
The Gods Are Not To Blame (1968)
  • The Village Headmaster
  • SpouseJuliana Modupe Robinson
    Children3

    Femi Robinson Listen

    Nigerian film and television actor, famous for his lead role in The Village Headmaster, where his stage name, "Ife Araba, The Village Headmaster", was coined. Chief Eddie Ugbomah, former Chairman of the Nigerian Film Corporation, called him "an icon of the industry".[1]

    Early life

    Robinson was born on September 27, 1940, at Bodo, a village in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, into the family of an Ifá priest. He obtained a bachelor's degree in botany from University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1962-1966) in the early 1960s before joining the Nigerian film industry.[2][3]

    Career

    He began his acting career playing the lead role of Odewale in

    Chief Ola Rotimi. The play was an adaptation of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex.[4] He also played the lead role in The Village Headmaster, Nigeria's longest-running television soap opera from 1968 to 1988, scripted by Olusegun Olusola.[5]

    On October 11, 2012, Robinson called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ban

    Death

    Robinson died of a heart attack on May 20, 2015, at Ayodele Hospital in the Ifako Ijaiye local government area of Lagos. Robinson's death drew the attentions of many notable Nigerians.[7] According to Vanguard, a veteran Nigerian film actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, said in his tribute, "Femi Robinson was a true professional. He has contributed immensely to the growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria".[8][9]

    The President of the

    Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, conveyed his condolences to Robinson's family in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.[10]

    References

    1. ^ "More accolades for late Femi Robinson". The Guardian Nigeria. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    2. ^ "I prayed for another chance". My Newswatch Times. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
    3. ^ "Nollywood actors mourn Femi Robinson former 'Village Headmaster'". News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved April 14, 2016.[permanent dead link]
    4. ^ "'Village Headmaster', Femi Robinson Dies At 75". P.M News. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
    5. ^ Evelyn Osagie. "The return of The Village Headmaster". The Nation. Nigeria. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    6. ^ Information Nigeria. "Femi Robinson Calls For The Ban Of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart In Schools". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    7. ^ "Village Headmaster, Femi Robinson, is dead". Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    8. ^ "My dad tried to change his environment, entertainment industry, says Femi Robinson's son". Vanguard News. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    9. ^ "Village Headmaster actor, Femi Robinson dies at 75". DailyPost Nigeria. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    10. ^ Our. "Jonathan condoles with Femi Robinson's family". The Nation. Nigeria. Retrieved 24 May 2015.