Ti Oluwa Ni Ile: Ooni Ends Feud Between Tunde Kelani, Baba Wande Over Royalty
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Thursday, ended the feud between legendary actor, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande) and legendary producer/cinematographer, Mr. Tunde Kelani.
The feud which has lingered for over a decade, was due to the royalty from the movie, (Ti Oluwa Ni Ile).
Oba Ogunwusi who sent a correspondence to the duo commended them for their enduring legacies of evergreen creative content with pure Yoruba language, described himself as a top fan and admirer of their works.
Addressing the elders at Mr. Tunde Kelani’s country home in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, through his Private Secretary, Adewale Adetoyese, appealed to them to let go of any rancour for peace and progress.
The letter read in part, “In my interaction with stakeholders in the industry through Aroba Groove especially to adapt the story; “Ti Oluwa Ni Ile”, an epic blockbuster in the early 90s into a stage drama, I got to know that the fallout between you two around the work has not been resolved.
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“I am not impressed by this and I wish to appeal to you as the Arole Oduduwa to let go of any rancour for peace and progress.”
Ooni Ogunwusi through his Ile Oodua Palace of Ife is currently working with Aroba Groove; an international promotion company headed by Ambassador Alfred Oladotun Taylor, to reproduce the movie into a stage play titled ‘Asiyanbi: Ti Oluwa Ni Ile’.
Alhaji Kareem Adepoju and Mr Tunde Kelani had in their reactions reportedly agreed that they would put behind all the rancour which ensued from the movie (Ti Oluwa Ni Ile) royalty and ready to work together to develop the industry.
“I met Tunde Kelani in Osogbo and grew a working relationship even during our apprenticeship days with our masters. I am happy that the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife picked interest in us.
The peak of my joy is that of life, I thank the Almighty Allah that none of us is dead despite life experiences. Kelani is my friend and we shall continue to be for the growth of our most cherished industry and Yorubaland as a whole.” Baba Wande said.
Mr. Tunde Kelani noted, “To me, this call for peace is more of a reminder that we are being watched and our works are well appreciated especially now by the Oonirisa.
This is a good signal that our works won’t be buried with us when we grow old and return to our creator, I thank Kabiyesi for this intervention and wish to assure the team working with the Ooni to represent Ti Oluwa Ni Ile of my full support.”
Ti Oluwa Ni Ile (The Land Belongs to God) is a Nollywood Yoruba drama film released in 1993 through Mr Tunde Kelani’s Mainframe Production as written by Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande). It was made in three (3) parts and listed as one of the best-selling Yoruba movies.
