Chief Mrs. Tola Oyediran (1941 – October 16, 2020) was a respected Nigerian media leader and the eldest child of the late statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalist and political thinkers. Her passing, just two months before her 80th birthday, drew tributes nationwide and underscored the enduring influence of the Awolowo family on Nigeria’s public life.

Guiding the Nigerian Tribune and ANN

Until her death, Oyediran served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN)—the publishing group founded by her father in 1949 that produces the Nigerian Tribune, Sunday Tribune and Saturday Tribune. These titles, among the country’s oldest surviving newspapers, have long provided a platform for democratic dialogue and fearless journalism.

Through her leadership at ANN, Oyediran upheld the Awolowo tradition of political engagement and advocacy for good governance, ensuring the Tribune retained its reputation as a credible, independent voice in Nigeria’s media landscape.

“Mama Ibadan”: Community Matriarch

Affectionately known as “Mama Ibadan,” she was cherished not only for her stewardship of the press but also for her generosity and role in community development in Oyo and Ogun States. Family and associates frequently recalled her warmth and commitment to preserving the ideals of her parents, Chief Obafemi and Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo—values of integrity, service and education.

Legacy and Tributes

Her death prompted condolences from across the political and media spectrum. Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun lauded her for “sustaining her father’s legacy of principled journalism and public service.” Media professionals likewise hailed her as a guardian of the Tribune’s independence and as a mentor who championed ethical reporting.

Chief Mrs. Tola Oyediran’s life stands as a testament to resilient leadership and the power of family legacy. By carrying forward the Awolowo vision, she ensured that truth and justice remained at the heart of Nigerian journalism.

Sources:

“Tola Oyediran, Awolowo’s Eldest Daughter, Dies at 79,” The Guardian Nigeria, 17 Oct. 2020.

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Colonel Shittu Alao (1937 – 15 October 1969) remains one of the defining figures in Nigeria’s military history. As the second indigenous Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), he helped transform the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) from a fledgling service into a key arm of national defence during the turbulent years of the Nigerian Civil War.

Early Life and Military Training

Born in 1937 in northern Nigeria (many contemporary sources cite Dorowa Babuje in present-day Plateau State), Alao received his early education locally before joining the Nigerian Army at a time when the country was seeking to develop its own air power.

In 1963, he was among the first four Nigerian officers seconded to the newly created NAF to assume command from the German Luftwaffe team that had initially helped establish the service. He trained in West Germany for a one-year indoctrination course in air operations and strategy—an experience that laid the groundwork for his rapid rise through the ranks.

Rise Through the Nigerian Air Force

On returning to Nigeria, Alao was appointed Senior Air Operations Officer at NAF headquarters, where his professionalism and technical skill stood out. His combination of operational expertise and natural leadership quickly marked him as a key architect of the young Air Force.

Chief of the Air Staff During Civil War

On 5 August 1967, in the early months of the Nigerian Civil War, Alao became the second indigenous Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Brigadier George T. Kurubo. He guided the Air Force through one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history.

Known for a hands-on style of command, Alao was reported to personally take part in certain bombing missions—an unusual and courageous practice for someone of his rank. His direct involvement inspired confidence among pilots and helped to shape the NAF into a combat-ready force.

Tragic Death in Service

Colonel Alao’s career was cut short on 15 October 1969 when his Aero L-29 Delfín, a Czechoslovakian jet trainer used by the NAF for both training and light combat roles, crashed near Uzebba, about 80 kilometres northwest of Benin City.

While attempting an emergency landing after encountering severe weather and running low on fuel, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed, killing him instantly. He was buried three days later, on 18 October 1969, with full military honours at the Ikoyi Military Cemetery in Lagos.

Legacy and Recognition

Colonel Shittu Alao is honoured as a founding father of the Nigerian Air Force. His leadership during the Civil War helped lay the institutional and operational foundation of the modern NAF. His bravery, professionalism and ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire generations of Nigerian air officers and remain a touchstone in the history of Nigeria’s armed forces.

Sources

Nigerian Air Force official history archives

Daily Times (Nigeria) reports on the October 1969 crash

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Renowned Nigerian photojournalist George Osodi has earned international recognition for his ability to merge fine art and documentary photography. Among his most acclaimed works is the “Nigerian Monarchs” series—an extraordinary visual record of the country’s living royal traditions and the cultural identities they protect.

The Photographer and His Vision

Osodi, whose broader body of work explores Nigeria’s social, political, and environmental realities, approaches photography as both artistic storytelling and historical preservation. From the Niger Delta’s oil politics to urban street life, his lens often captures the friction between deep-rooted traditions and Nigeria’s rapidly modernising society. With Nigerian Monarchs, he turns this dual gaze toward the country’s royal institutions, creating portraits that function as both art and historical document.

Capturing Nigeria’s Royal Diversity

Launched in the early 2010s, the project took Osodi across Nigeria’s many ethnic landscapes—from the palaces of Yoruba oba in the southwest to the courts of Igbo, Benin, and northern emirates. Each image presents a monarch or queen in full ceremonial regalia, surrounded by heirlooms and palace artefacts that narrate centuries of lineage and authority.

Though modern Nigerian monarchs hold largely ceremonial or advisory roles, they remain guardians of culture and tradition, mediating disputes and preserving ancestral knowledge. Osodi’s portraits emphasise their enduring spiritual and social significance, even as the nation’s political power has shifted to democratic institutions.

Reframing Historical Narratives

Osodi consciously rejects the ethnographic style of colonial-era photography, which often depicted African royalty through a Western gaze. Instead, his images are vibrant, dignified, and symbolically rich, celebrating the sophistication of indigenous institutions. The series challenges outdated stereotypes, presenting Nigerian monarchs not as relics of a bygone past but as living embodiments of cultural resilience and pride.

Global Reception and Cultural Impact

Nigerian Monarchs has been exhibited at major international venues, including the Museum für Völkerkunde in Hamburg (2012) and the Newark Museum in the United States (2014), drawing critical acclaim for its blend of artistry and cultural documentation. Critics have praised the series for sparking conversations about identity, tradition, and the place of indigenous leadership in a modern nation-state.

For many Nigerians, Osodi’s work provides a powerful affirmation of heritage at a time when globalisation can blur the visibility of traditional authority. For international audiences, it offers a nuanced and visually stunning introduction to the living royal cultures of Africa’s most populous nation.

Legacy of the Series

More than a photographic catalogue, Nigerian Monarchs serves as a chronicle of Nigeria’s royal heritage and a reminder that tradition and modernity need not be in conflict. Osodi’s work continues to inspire both scholars and artists to look at African leadership structures not as static history, but as dynamic institutions still shaping cultural identity today.

Sources
George Osodi, Nigerian Monarchs (2012 exhibition catalogue).

The Guardian (UK), “George Osodi’s Nigerian Monarchs: A Celebration of Regal Heritage,” 2012.

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