L-R: Ulli Beier, Demola Williams, Wole Soyinka, Peter Badejo (standing directly in front of Soyinka) at the opening of an art exhibition at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), 1967. Barely a month after, Wole Soyinka, the most recognizable presence here, would be picked up by the Nigerian Gestapo. He would spend twenty-two months in prison, held in solitary confinement, for his views on the Nigerian civil war. Just under two decades later, in 1986, he would be the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first African writer to win it. The legendary Ulli Beier, who arrived in Nigeria from Germany in the late 1940s fresh from the bloodied turmoil of the Second World War. He leaves a lasting, indelible mark on Nigerian arts and literature.  Peter Badejo, one of the artists whose paintings were on display at the exhibition. Sir Peter is today a world-renowned choreographer, based in London and Osogbo, knighted by the Queen for his services to Br...

Biography of Akinjole Ogiriniyan The Founder Of Ejigbo Land Ejigbo is a major Yoruba town in Osun State of Nigeria. It is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) to Oshogbo, the capital of Osun State. According to oral history, Ejigbo is an ancient settlement. It was founded by Akinjole Ogiyan (abbreviation of "Ogiriniyan"), right after the old Oyo . Ogiyan has a rich pedigree, as a descendant of Oduduwa and the ruling family of Ile-Ife . Together with his brothers, particularly the Akire, the founder of Ikire-Ile, left Ile life with Oranya ( Oranmiyan ) – the founder of old Oyo, to establish their own town. The fact that the Ogiyan is from Ile-Ife, is confirmed by "Ejigbo Mekun" the name of a market in Ile-Ife. Akinjole settled many other villages spread around Yorubaland. He was the paramount ruler and prescribed authority over many if not all of them. The following towns and villages, among others, were under him: Ika, Igbon, Olosinmo, Ologede, Inisa, Aato, Ijimo...

THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW AND WHY FELA KUTI MARRIED 27 WOMEN ON THE SAME DAY IN 1978 (A must read)  In 1978, the pioneer of Afrobeats, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, married 27 women in one day. This should not be strange to those who know the life and style of the Nigerian music legend nicknamed Abami Eda (strange creature). Many of Fela’s band members became homeless after the devastating soldier attack on Fela’s commune (Kalakuta Republic) in 1977. In order to keep them together, Fela decided to do the unusual. He gave a piece of paper to his female band members requesting the names of those that would like to marry him; the entire twenty-seven female band members put down their names. After getting their consent, Fela Kuti married the 27 women on the 20th of February, 1978, at the Parisona Hotel in Anthony, Lagos, with the blessings of twelve Ifa priests. It was alleged that some parents of the ladies objected the marriage. Fela married the women to protect and keep them togeth...

Story Of Late John Nebeolisa: The Multimillionaire Who Bought Kingship In Awkuzu, Anambra State. Late Igwe John Ejikeme Nebeolisa, it would be recalled, used to be one of the most popular multi-millionaires of the 1990s from the East. He was known to be a close buddy of Victor Okafor aka "Ezego" which translates as the king of money in Igbo language. John Nebeolisa during prime was everything a Nigerian man wished to be in life, expensive cars like the limousine, Porsche, Peugeot Chasis, he moved with bodyguards and in convoy, whatever it is that was in trend back in the 1990s name it John Nebeolisa aka Joneb had it all. Joneb had businesses all over the eastern region, and so many landed properties in Lagos and overseas. His businesses spanned from hotels, travel agencies and other controversial setups. He made so much money then from his controversial businesses and also spent it as if it was going out of fashion. The late king of high life music, Oliver de Coqu...

Remembering Mr Christopher Okonkwo Asah (Seven-Seven), A Great Musical Icon Young Christopher was born on January 16th, 1943 into the family of Pa Okoye and Madam Mmankwo Asah of Uruogbo Village, Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State. Okonkwo Asah began his primary education in 1949 at St Anthony’s Catholic Mission School, Enugwu – Ukwu. He lost his father and mother in 1950, when he was just 7 years of age, so his uncle, Mr Mathew Ekwedike Asah took him to Ogbete, Enugu where he completed his primary education. He thereafter relocated to Nzam, Anambra West LGA of Anambra State, where he lived with one Mr Eze Okoye, who trained him in the art of bricklaying. His brilliance made him learn the work fast and was subsequently employed to work with Chief R.O Nkwocha, Ide of Enugwu Ukwu’s company (Ronasco). He was working there as the Chief bricklayer teaching other apprentices until 1952, when he left Ronasco to develop his special musical talent. “Seven Seven” as he was fondl...

THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW AND WHY FELA KUTI MARRIED 27 WOMEN ON THE SAME DAY IN 1978 (A must read)  In 1978, the pioneer of Afrobeats, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, married 27 women in one day. This should not be strange to those who know the life and style of the Nigerian music legend nicknamed Abami Eda (strange creature). Many of Fela’s band members became homeless after the devastating soldier attack on Fela’s commune (Kalakuta Republic) in 1977. In order to keep them together, Fela decided to do the unusual. He gave a piece of paper to his female band members requesting the names of those that would like to marry him; the entire twenty-seven female band members put down their names. After getting their consent, Fela Kuti married the 27 women on the 20th of February, 1978, at the Parisona Hotel in Anthony, Lagos, with the blessings of twelve Ifa priests. It was alleged that some parents of the ladies objected the marriage. Fela married the women to protect and keep them togeth...

THE BIOGRAPHY OF FELA – KUTI Fela was born Olufela Oludotun Ransome Kuti in Abeokuta, Ogun state on 15 October 1938, to a middle class family. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a famous front line activist in the anti- colonial movement and his father, reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome- Kuti, a protestant minister and a school principal, was the first president of the Nigerian union of teachers.   His musical talents and radical nature manifested early, so it was no surprise that he went to London in 1958 to study music at the trinity college of music. While there he formed the band Koola Lobito’s, playing a style of music that was a fusion of Jazz with West African highlife. In 1963, Fela moved back to Nigeria, reformed Koola Lobito’s and trained as a radio producer for the Nigerian broadcasting corporation. In 1969, Fela took the band to the united states, while there Fela discovered the black power movement through Sandra smith (now isodore) a partisan of th...