James Ajibola Idowu Ige, popularly known as Bola Ige, was born on 13 September 1930 in Esa-Oke, Osun State. A brilliant lawyer, politician, and writer, he carved his place in Nigerian history as one of the most outspoken voices of his generation, earning the nickname “Cicero of Esa-Oke” for his sharp intellect and fearless oratory.
Educated at Ibadan Grammar School, Ige later studied Classics at University College, Ibadan, before qualifying as a lawyer in London. His legal and political careers were deeply intertwined with the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. A member of the Action Group and later the Unity Party of Nigeria, he stood firmly for progressive politics, advocating education and social justice.
In 1979, he became Governor of old Oyo State, where he introduced the Free Education Programme, a landmark policy that broadened access to schooling for thousands of children. His political journey continued with his appointment as Minister of Power and Steel under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, later serving as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Tragically, Bola Ige’s life was cut short on 23 December 2001 when he was assassinated in his Ibadan home—a murder that remains unresolved. His death shocked the nation, silencing a voice that had consistently spoken truth to power.
Bola Ige’s legacy lives on in his writings, his bold politics, and his vision for a just Nigeria.
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