Olanrewaju Adepoju, a native of Aba Oke Pupa village in Oyo State, Nigeria, was born in 1940. Renowned as a poet, writer, and spiritual leader, he self-educated himself in both Yoruba and English.
During his formative years, he interacted with West African griots, immersing himself in their wisdom as poets and storytellers. This exposure granted him profound insight into Yoruba verbal arts and cultural traditions. Regrettably, his passing was announced by his son on Sunday evening, December 10, 2023, via Facebook. He passed away at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Age
The poet and writer, Olanrewaju Adepoju died at the age of 83.
Early Life And Education
Olanrewaju Adepoju, a renowned Yorùbá poet, was born in 1940 in Abà Òkè Pupa, Ọ̀yọ́ State, Nigeria. Lacking formal education due to his parents’ poverty and illiteracy, he self-taught himself to read and write in both Yorùbá and English, borrowing books from friends and libraries. His knowledge of Yorùbá culture, history, and religion was gleaned from oral sources and elders. Adepoju commenced writing poetry in his youth and gained acclaim for his Ewi, a popular form of oral poetry among the Yorùbá people. He produced numerous Ewi albums and published some of his poems. Besides his literary contributions, he embraced Islam, integrating its values into his poetry. Revered as one of the most influential and respected figures in Yorùbá literature and culture, Adepoju left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape.
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Career
Olanrewaju Adepoju was a celebrated Yorùbá poet who made a remarkable impact on the literary and cultural scene of Nigeria. His career spans over five decades and covers various aspects of poetry, such as performance, recording, publishing, and activism. Here is a brief overview of his career:
- He started writing poetry at a young age and became famous for his Ewi, a form of oral poetry that is popular among the Yorùbá people.
- He worked as a broadcaster at the defunct Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, where he hosted a weekly program called Ewi Lona.
- He founded his own record label, Lanrad Records, in 1974 and began to produce and distribute his Ewi albums on phonograph records, cassettes, and compact discs.
- He has recorded over 80 albums of Ewi, covering various themes such as politics, religion, history, culture, and morality. Some of his famous works include Kadara, Irin Ajo Eda, and Igbeyawo Omo Oba.
- He has also published a collection of his poems in print, titled Ewi Lona, in 1986. He has also written two dramatic texts, Oba Omo and Omo Oba, which were staged in 1988 and 1990 respectively.
- He is a religious leader who converted to Islam and incorporated Islamic values into his poetry. He is also known as the Aare Alaasa of Ibadanland, a traditional title conferred on him by the Olubadan of Ibadan in 1992.
- He is regarded as one of the most influential and respected figures in Yorùbá literature and culture. He has received many awards and honors, such as the National Merit Award, the Oyo State Cultural Award, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists Award.
Personal Life
Olanrewaju Adepoju was married and he had children, but the details of his wife and children are not publicly available.
Death
On the 10th of December 2023, around 7 pm, Adepoju passed away at his residence in Idi Orogbo, off Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. His son, Adejare Adepoju, shared the news with a concise announcement on Sunday, expressing, “Baba has departed to rest. Inna lilahi Wa innaa ilaehi Roojiuuna. My Dad, Olanrewaju Adepoju, Rest in Peace.”
