South Africa’s top court ruled Thursday that men should be able to take their wives’ surnames and a law that prevented this amounted to unfair gender discrimination.

The Constitutional Court said the legal ban served no legitimate government purpose and was suspended, paving the way for parliament to enact amendments to the legislation.

While men were deprived of the ability to take their wives’ surnames, the discrimination was “far more insidious” for women, the ruling said.

It “reinforces patriarchal gender norms, which prescribe how women may express their identity, and it makes this expression relational to their husband, as a governmental and cultural default,” it said.

The case was brought to court by two couples, one of which wanted to honour the woman’s parents who died when she was young. In the other case, the woman wanted to keep her ties to her family surname as she was an only child.

Previously, men would have to apply to the home affairs department to change their surname, a request that was not automatically granted.

Provisions allowing men to assume their wives’ surname on marriage are already in place in other countries, mainly in Europe and in certain US states.

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Adewale Ayuba (born 25 March 1965), popularly known as Mr. Johnson, is a celebrated Nigerian Fuji musician. A dynamic performer and innovative artist, he is best recognized for pioneering a distinct subgenre of Fuji known as Bonsue Fuji, earning him the titles “Bonsue Fuji King” and “Bonsue Fuji Maestro.”

Early Life

Adewale Ayuba was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, where he grew up immersed in the vibrant Yoruba musical culture. His passion for music developed at a young age, and by the time he was a teenager, Ayuba had already begun performing publicly. His early exposure to Fuji—a genre rooted in traditional Yoruba Islamic music and social commentary—shaped his career trajectory.

Musical Career

Ayuba gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, standing out for his smooth voice, energetic stage presence, and ability to modernize Fuji without losing its cultural essence.
In 1986, he released his debut album, Ibere (Beginning), which set the stage for his rise in the Fuji music scene.

His breakthrough came in the 1990s, particularly after the release of Bubble, which enjoyed both commercial success and critical acclaim.

Unlike traditional Fuji, Ayuba’s Bonsue Fuji introduced faster rhythms, contemporary arrangements, and lyrics that appealed to both young and older audiences.

Contributions and Style

Ayuba’s Bonsue Fuji represents a deliberate reinvention of Fuji, making it more accessible to urban audiences and international listeners. Some defining features of his style include:

Upbeat, dance-friendly tempos.

Cleaner, more radio-friendly lyrical delivery compared to traditional Fuji.

Infusion of contemporary instruments and production styles.

This reinvention helped Fuji cross into mainstream Nigerian pop culture and attracted non-Fuji audiences.

Recognition and Legacy

Ayuba has been widely celebrated for his innovations in Fuji music, often credited with making the genre appealing beyond its traditional fan base.

His albums and live performances have earned him accolades within Nigeria and among the Nigerian diaspora.

He remains a strong advocate of Fuji as a cultural export, performing across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Personal Life

Though details about his private life remain relatively low-profile, Ayuba is admired not only for his music but also for his discipline and clean image, which set him apart in an industry sometimes plagued by controversies.

Legacy

Adewale Ayuba’s work has cemented him as one of the most innovative voices in Nigerian Fuji. By creating Bonsue Fuji, he bridged generational gaps in music, ensuring Fuji’s relevance in a rapidly changing Nigerian music industry. His influence continues to inspirer younger Fuji and Afrobeats artists who look to blend tradition with modernity.

Sources:
Vanguard Nigeria Music Archives.

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Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni (3 December 1958 – 7 January 2022), known by his regnal title Ojikutujoye Obaarun-Oladekan I, was a Nigerian monarch who ruled as the Oba of Ado and Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo, an ancient Yoruba kingdom in Ogun State, Nigeria. His reign, which began in 2009, was marked by efforts to uphold the traditions of Ado-Odo while navigating modern governance and community development.

Early Life and Background

Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni was born on 3 December 1958 in Ado-Odo, a culturally significant Yoruba settlement in present-day Ogun State. Ado-Odo holds a unique place in Yoruba history as one of the oldest Awori towns, with deep ancestral ties to Ile-Ife, the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people.

Details of Oba Akanni’s childhood, education, and early career are not widely documented. However, his lineage and deep cultural grounding prepared him for eventual ascension to the revered Ado-Odo throne.

Ascension to the Throne

The throne of Ado-Odo became vacant following the death of Oba J. O. Akapo, who passed away on 7 February 1989. After a long interregnum that lasted two decades, Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni was chosen as the next monarch.

On 2 May 2009, he was installed as the Oba of Ado and Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo, assuming the regnal name Ojikutujoye Obaarun-Oladekan I. His coronation marked the end of a prolonged vacancy on the throne, restoring continuity in the traditional leadership of the ancient Awori community.

Role as Monarch

As Olofin Adimula, Oba Akanni held not only political and cultural authority within Ado-Odo but also spiritual responsibilities, given the sacred status of the Olofin stool in Awori and Yoruba tradition.
His reign was characterized by:

Custodianship of Yoruba Tradition: He safeguarded the customs, festivals, and rituals that define the cultural heritage of Ado-Odo.

Community Leadership: He played a mediatory role between his people and government institutions, advocating for development in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Symbol of Unity: His leadership maintained cohesion among the diverse Awori sub-communities under his jurisdiction.

Death

Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni passed away on 7 January 2022 at the age of 63. His death was a major loss to the people of Ado-Odo and the wider Awori community, who regarded him as a custodian of both cultural heritage and social stability.

Following his death, the throne of Ado-Odo once again entered an interregnum as the community and ruling houses began the traditional processes of succession.

Legacy

Oba Akanni’s reign is remembered for the restoration of traditional authority in Ado-Odo after a long period without a monarch.

His leadership helped maintain the spiritual and cultural prestige of the Olofin Adimula throne.
He is honored among Yoruba monarchs who carried the responsibility of preserving indigenous governance systems in a modern Nigerian state.

Sources:
Ogun State Traditional Council Archives (referenced in local reports)

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