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Yoruba Blog, Lagos (2026)

12/06/2026

M.K.O. Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, during a campaign rally in Bauchi in 1993.

Nigerians voted in the presidential election of June 12, 1993, contested by M.K.O. Abiola of the SDP and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). The results indicated that Abiola won across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, making the election one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. Before the final results could be officially announced, military dictator Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, triggering nationwide protests and a prolonged struggle for democracy.

One year after the annulment, on June 11, 1994, Abiola publicly declared himself the lawful President of Nigeria at Epetedo, Lagos, insisting on his June 12 mandate. He was subsequently arrested by the military regime and spent 1,479 days in detention, much of it in solitary confinement.

On July 7, 1998, Abiola died in custody at the age of 60, just weeks after the death of General Sani Abacha and while negotiations for his release were underway. His death remains one of the most controversial and consequential events in Nigeria’s political history.

On June 6, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari officially recognized Abiola as the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, posthumously conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), an honour traditionally reserved for Nigerian Presidents—and declared June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.

12/06/2026

SHEIKH ADAM AL-ILORY : THE GREAT SCHOLAR

Adam Abdullah Ibn Baqi Ibn Habibullah Al-Ilori was born in 1917 in Waza, Dendi Local Government of the Republic of Benin. His father, Imam Baqi was originally from Ilorin but had travelled down to Waza as part of his Dawah activities. His mother Ummu Aisha was said to be a princess of Waza. His knowledge of the Qur'an and Arabic studies began under the tutelage of his father. At the age of 13 he returned with his parents to Ilorin.

Sheikh joined Ma'ahadu Al-Imam Umar Al-Abhajiy and further his studies from him, after which he stayed with Sheikh Adam Nama'aji, Kano and learn a lot from him as well. In a nutshell, he learnt from a number of Arab and non-Arab scholar: Nasir Kabara, Kano and Sheikh Muhammad alAmin, a Syrian etc. Finally, Sheikh travelled to Egypt and joined al-Azhar University. He learnt a lot there and he wrote an examinations and acquired a certificate equivalent to a Secondary School certificate in 1946. That same year, he visited mecca to perform that year's Hajj.

Sheikh Adam was an excellent and prolific writer - he wrote over hundred books and journals, many of which are now used as source materials for thesis, references and dissertations in many Arabic institutions. His most consulted book: Al-Islam fi Naijiriya, is widely accepted as the best reference for the history of Islam in Nigeria. Sheikh believed in education and relied greatly on it. In 1952, he founded the Markazu-ta limi l-Arabi Al-Islami in Abeokuta. He introduced an unprecedented modernity and standardization into the learning of Arabic studies. The institution was equipped with chalk boards and chairs for student - this was a rare phenomenon in contemporary Arabic schools, uniforms were also introduced for students. The institution was greatly accepted. It soon spread to other part of Yorubaland with its headquarters in Agege, Lagos; It became widely known as Morkaz Agege.

In 1975, he won the Muritanian International Award for Islamic Scholarship, Sheikh Adam was the first African to be decorated with the intellectual Gold Medal Award in Arabic Literature in 1989. The great Sheikh died on May 3, 1992.

11/06/2026

Oreoluwa Green was the first female pharmacist in West Africa. She was born in Lagos in 1885 and educated at CMS Girls’ Seminary and St. Mary’s Convent School, Lagos. Fluent in English, French, and Latin, she was also a gifted actress who famously played Portia in a production of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice in Lagos in June 1911.

Not much is known about her marital life, except that she almost married Dr. Oguntola Sapara. The proposed marriage was halted after a woman named Adele Sapara filed a caveat to stop it. Adele claimed that she was already married to the doctor under Yoruba customary law. Dr. Sapara, however, argued that Adele was merely his mistress and that no legally binding marriage existed between them.

This must have influenced her decision to travel to London in 1912 to further her education, where she obtained a First Class Certificate in the Theory of Music from the London College of Music, a Certificate from the Central Midwives Board, and an Honours Certificate from the Clapham School of Midwifery and Clapham Maternity Hospital.

In 1916, she became the first West African woman to obtain a practical pharmaceutical qualification when she earned the Apothecaries’ Certificate of the Pharmaceutical Society of London. She also obtained the Certificate of Westminster College of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Botany after successfully passing her qualifying examinations as a Licensed Druggist.

She worked as a dispenser at the Soho Eye and Ear Hospital in London before returning to Lagos in 1917, where she initially worked as a midwife at the hospital of Dr. Akinwande Savage (1874–1935). In a bid to contribute more to Lagos and its people, she later established her own practice and worked as a nurse and pharmacist at 71 Campbell Street, Lagos.

Nurse Green, as she was fondly called, was a highly accomplished, well-read and cultured lady who did not hesitate to express the outstanding talents she was endowed with.

10/06/2026

ÌGBÉYÀWÓ NÍ ILÉ YORÙBÁ (MARRIAGE IN THE YORÙBÁ NATION)

Traditionally, ancient Yorùbá people were said to be monogamic, although polygamy was not forbidden - only wealthy men were said to be polygamous otherwise having one wife was necessary. In recent times, the marriage laws and customs in Yorùbáland have undergone many changes due to civilization and the widely acceptance of Christianity and Islam. But all things being equal and normal, there are three stages to be observed:

The first stage was for the elder female members of the family to look out for a wife for their male relative. It is said that young men married as soon as they are of age to support the family and the girls are often marked out from childhood for a particular young man even with or without her knowledge. They will first check the girls family background (medical, financial and criminal history), if satisfied, they will then approach her parent and then consent will be established, if the girl likes the young man in question then stage 2 is unlocked, though it is rare for a girl to refuse her parent's choice.

The second stage is called "betrothal" where both families will make the consent formal, it is usually held at night but only after which the oracle had been consulted, the young man will present ogójì òbí (40 kolanuts), cowries and ẹmu (palmwine) for refreshment, the kolanuts will be splitted and everyone present must have a bite of it to signify that they are witness to the betrothal. From that day, the bride-to-be must not meet the groom-to-be or any of his family without covering her face. In addition to this, the groom-to-be family will also present some atairẹ (alligator pepper), orógbó (bitter kola) and more kolanut to the bride-to-be family: this is said to signify the future relationship between both families. This was usually followed by "Ebo Ìyàwó" (Bride sacrifice), an offering of sacrifices to seek blessings from the gods (the couple-to-be will carry it themselves).

Lastly, is the Ìgbéyàwó, which is usually held anytime of the year except during fast and Egúngún festival - the bride will be clothed in her best attire, covered with a white veil, she will journey from her parents home to that of her fiancee in the company of her friends with bards behind her, she will be met at the entrance gate of the bridegroom's compound by his female relatives who will wash her feet and literally lift her into the house (her feet will not touch the soil until she is inside) hence, the term "Gbé Ìyàwó"(lift or carry the bride), she is then taken to the bathroom where she is washed afresh, rubbed and perfumed and then dressed. She now becomes the inmate member of that family and the marriage is sealed.

Photo|GettyImages: The bridesmaid (right) is throwing a pan of water under the feet of the bride Christie Bola as she stands with her groom, Julius M. St. Matthew Bangoel, at their wedding ceremony in London, October 1954.

10/06/2026

YORÙBÁ MÁLEGBÀGBÉ

Sir Kitoye Ajasa(In Trilby hat) with his chauffeur outside his residence- Godstone House, Onikan Lagos in the 1930s. Godstone House was demolished in 1959 to make way for the National Assembly building.

Sir Kitoyi Ajasa(1866- 1937) was a prominent Lawyer and Newspaper Proprietor. He was born as Edmund Macaulay in Lagos. Ajasa attended CMS Grammar School Lagos and Studied Law in London. He was called to the Bar in 1893. Ajasa served as an unofficial member of the Colonial Legislative Council from 1906- 1933. He founded 'The Nigerian Pioneer'- one of the earliest Newspapers in the country. In 1929, he became the first Nigerian to receive a Knighthood. Ajasa was father of the notable Lady Oyinkan Abayomi wife of Sir Kofo Abayomi.

He died in 1937.

10/06/2026

Chief Taiwo Olowo (c.1781-1901) a.k.a " Taiwo The Rich Man" was a 19th Century businessman born in Isheri. Taiwo, a son of Oluwole the Olofin of Isheri, came to Lagos in 1848 as an apprentice basket maker. He quickly learnt his trade and was able to establish his own business.

By the 1840s, Taiwo had become a protege of Kosoko, Oba Osinlokun's son. Kosoko reigned as Oba of Lagos from 1845 to 1851 and, as can be expected, Taiwo leveraged his closeness to Kosoko for mercantile gain, establishing partnerships with European and Brazilian merchants. After Oba Kosoko returned to Lagos, he introduced Taiwo to Governor Glover, the then administrator of Lagos in 1863. Glover liked taiwo very much that he made him his business partner and subsequently made him Baba Isale of Isheri. This paved way for taiwo as he became the patron and representative of the Isheri people. In return, Taiwo enjoyed monopolistic privileges over all others in access to Isheri trade routes and markets, he became even wealthier.

He got baptized in the late 1870s at the Holy Trinity Church in Ebute Ero, taking the name Daniel Conrad Taiwo and also served as an emissary of the British colonial government in Lagos, and was ambassador to the court of the King of Porto Novo.

When he died in Lagos on February 20, 1901, James Johnson (Assistant Bishop of Western Equatorial Africa) officiated his funeral in an impressive funeral service held at Ebute–Ero where he worshipped as a member in life.

His mansion is still located on Marina Street, Lagos Island, and across the street stood his monument erected over his tomb by the Brazilian-Lagosian master builder Senhor Jorge DaCosta in 1905. Its plaques were said to have been forged from the melting of hundreds of copper pennies. The Ìgà Taiwo Olowo which translates to "Palace of Taiwo the Rich Man" on Lagos Island belongs to his descendants.

09/06/2026

ALÁÀFIN ÀJÀKÁ: THE BEGINNING OF A DYNASTY

Ọba Àjàká and Sàngó were the two renowned sons of Ọ̀rànmíyàn (also referred to as Òrányàn) and they both succeeded their father.

There was no known record of their childhood but their mother was 'Torosi' a Nupe princess which Ọ̀rànmíyàn took as wife when he invaded the Bariba land. Legend has it that when Ọ̀rànmíyàn payed an improptu visit to Ilé-Ifè, Àjàká was made the adelẹ́ (regent) but when his return became uncertain, Àjàká was then made the Aláàfin. His Bashorun was Érin-dín-lógún-àgbọn kò sé dà ní ifá (i.e
sixteen cocoanut is not suitable for Ifa divination).

He was described as a calm and peace loving King and this cost him his throne as he was deposed and banished to Igbodo where he lived for seven years during which his brother, Sàngó reigned in his stead, he was later recalled to the throne after the demise of Sàngó.

During his second reign he proved to be a different man, a warlike and despotic King: he was said to have adopted well-trained birds and poisoned arrows as his armaments, he also employed many medicine men who made charms for him, they were; Atagbọin, Àbítíbitì òògùn, Paku, Yènà, Ègbèjí and many more. Salekoudi who had been bashorun during the reign of Sàngó continued as Bashorun during Àjàká's second reign. The Ogidigbo drum was said to have been introduced to Oyo during this time. Àjàká was succeeded by his son Agánjú.

Note: Picture is for illustration purpose only.

09/06/2026

The first and last Mayor of Lagos, Abubakar Ibiyinka Olorun-Nimbe, was born in 1908 to Abdur-Ramon Olorunimbe, a merchant. Having attended Methodist and Koranic schools, and King’s College, Lagos, Abu enrolled at the University of Glasgow in 1930 to study Medicine, graduating MB ChB in 1935.

After graduating in 1935, he returned to Nigeria, where he worked with the Government Medical Services before becoming actively involved in politics.
In 1950, the Lagos Local Government Ordinance, N.17 provided for the election of 24 councillors to the Lagos Town Council and for the position of a mayor of Lagos to be selected from those councillors. Olorun-Nimbe was selected the first mayor of Lagos. He was in the position until the office was abolished in 1953.

Later changes further reduced the need for a citywide mayor: Lagos became a Federal Territory before independence. In 1967, Lagos State was created and a governor became the chief executive of the state.

Sources: University of Glasgow, Wikipedia

08/06/2026

When Steven Bankole Rhodes (1890-1951) was appointed a member of the Executive Council of the then Colonial Nigeria on September 23, 1942. He was the only African to have had the opportunity to participate directly in policy formulation at the central executive level, before that time colonial administrators exempted Africans from participating in policy formulation. Earlier In January of the same year, he was nominated as an Unofficial Member of the Legislative council of Nigeria. In this capacity he pushed for the nationalisation of all Nigerian industries, he also advocated for the autonomy of native courts.

In 1943, King George VI conferred on him the honour of the commander of the said Most Excellent Order - CBE for his dedication to public services in Nigeria. Justice S.B Rhodes became a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, King George VI also gave the directives for his appointment on October 9, 1945, thereby becoming the first Nigerian lawyer to be elevated to the Supreme court bench straight from the Bar. He subsequently became the second indigenous judge appointed to the Nigerian Judiciary, After and before Justice Jibowu and Justice Ademola Adetokunbo respectively.

He also held the position of Chancellor of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion. At that time the diocese covered Eastern Nigeria, the Mid-West, Kwara and the Middle Belt. He was succeeded by Louis Mbanefo.

His son, Steve Rhodes, a successful musician and broadcaster was Fela Kuti's manager in the 1960s. He was Uncle to Justice R.W.A Rhodes-Vivour, Grand Uncle to Supreme Court Justice Bode Rhodes-Viviour and Great Grand Uncle to Businessman and 2019 Lagos West Senatorial aspirant, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

08/06/2026

William Allen Vivour was the great-great-great-grandfather of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. He flourished between 1830 until his death in 1890. He was recorded as the most successful 19th-century planter in Africa. His father was captured as an enslaved person but was later intercepted and freed at sea by the British West Africa Squadron. The name Vivour is a contraction of the word 'Survivor,' which relates to the circumstances that led to his father's arrival in Sierra Leone.

He traveled to Fernando Po, in Equatorial Guinea, and started his palm oil business. He collected palm oil fruits from the Bubi tribe of Equatorial Guinea and transported them to his Kwa-Ibo factory (present-day Akwa Ibom). To do this, he made agreements with the Ibeno people, which led to conflicts with Jaja Opobo, who insisted that any oil trade in the region must be processed or sourced from his markets. One of these conflicts led to the Jaja-Ibeno War.

By 1871, Vivour had purchased a schooner, a sailing vessel, and was exporting palm oil directly to Liverpool. In the 1880s, traders began to explore cocoa farming as oil prices declined from £37 per ton to below £20. Vivour was among them; he invested the profits from oil into land, buying plots from the Bubi people. By 1886, he owned over 202 hectares of land in Fernando Po and was trading cocoa with Manchester. By 1888, Fernando Po had become the tenth largest cocoa producer, with 90% of its cocoa coming from Vivour.

He employed a massive workforce, comprising thousands of people from Accra, Guinea, the Grebo people from Liberia, and the Luango people from Gabon and Congo. His success in cocoa cultivation earned him a nobleman’s title in Fernando Po. He died in 1890, and his forty-foot-high monument was imported from Liverpool for £600.

One of his son Garnet Vivour migrated to Lagos in the late 19th century and got married to Sarah Rhodes de Vivour, a descendant of freed slaves who settled in Lagos. This marriage cemented the merger of two powerful Lagosian families, creating the prominent Rhodes-Vivour dynasty.

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