The Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Ijanikin, transformed into a pulsating shrine of culture, scholarship, and artistic rebirth on Friday, 5th December 2025, as the Association of Theatre Arts Students (ATAS) of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) held its 4th Induction Ceremony themed “Ọkàn Kan (One Heart).”
What began as a structured academic gathering soon evolved into a spirited blend of ritual, performance, and intellectual communion, thanks in no small measure to the electrifying presence of the ceremony’s Chief Priest, veteran culture-bearer Segun Adefila.
The hall brimmed with lecturers, students, cultural custodians, parents and guests who converged to celebrate creativity, identity, and the theatre tradition that continues to shape LASUED’s growing reputation as an emerging cultural powerhouse.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B. B. Lafiaji, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Moruf Adeniyi Shittu, set the tone for the day with a stirring endorsement of the department’s vision.
“This induction reaffirms LASUED’s dedication to raising disciplined, creative, and globally relevant artists. ‘Ọkàn Kan’ captures the essence of unity and shared purpose. On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, I congratulate the inductees and urge them to use their art to impact society positively,” Prof. Shittu said.
Delivering the Vice-Chancellor’s message, he underscored theatre as one of the strongest tools for nation-building.
For Dr. Hafiz Oyetoro, Head of Department and iconic theatre practitioner himself, the ceremony marked another triumph in nurturing artistic minds.
“Theatre demands more than talent, it requires humility and commitment. The theme ‘Ọkàn Kan’ is a reminder that unity enhances creativity,” he said.
Staff Adviser Mr. Jamal Adepoju Apena reinforced this message through praise for the students’ discipline.
“This milestone reflects your hard work. ATAS thrives when we work as one, and today’s ceremony shows the power of unity,” he noted.
But it was the Chief Priest, Segun Adefila, founder of the Crown Troupe of Africa, award-winning filmmaker, internationally acclaimed performer, and one of Nigeria’s most influential contemporary theatre voices who set the hall ablaze. Adefila, known for weaving dance, drama, activism, and folklore into a single pulsating artistic language, brought spiritual intensity and cultural authority to the induction ritual. His presence alone, an artist who has spent decades redefining modern Nigerian theatre, served as a living textbook for the inductees.
In his address, he delivered what many described as the heart and fire of the ceremony:
“Theatre is life. Your duty as artists is to tell truth, heal, educate, and uplift. No artist stands alone, your strength lies in collaboration. Let ‘Ọkàn Kan’ guide your journey,” Adefila told the inductees.
For the fresh ATAS members, having Adefila as Chief Priest was more than symbolic, it was aspirational. His body of work, from transforming street theatre into national discourse to mentoring young performers across Africa, stood as a creative compass. His role in the induction, steeped in ritual symbolism, not only elevated the image of the Department of Theatre Arts but also amplified LASUED’s standing within Nigeria’s academic and cultural ecosystem.
Lecturers from across the department added their goodwill, urging the inductees to embody professionalism, discipline, and lifelong learning as they step into the vast world of performance. These sentiments were also echoed by the President of ATAS, Comrade Daniel Olafisoye while extending heartfelt gratitude to their lecturers, parents and rear-guards.
The ceremony climaxed in a colourful parade of dance, drama, chants, and cultural displays before the formal induction of new members into ATAS, an evening where the old and new guard of Nigerian theatre briefly shared one heart, one rhythm, and one artistic destiny.
