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Queen Salawa Abeni: The Life, Family, and Legacy of Waka Music’s Crowned Monarch

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Queen Salawa Abeni Alidu, born on May 5, 1961, in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria, is one of the most iconic voices in Nigerian traditional music. Hailing from Ijebu Waterside in Ogun State, she rose from a modest background to become the celebrated Queen of Waka Music, carrying Yoruba cultural heritage across generations.

Early Life and Education

Abeni grew up in a polygamous household under difficult circumstances. Her mother struggled with prolonged illness, which meant Salawa had limited maternal guidance during her childhood. Her father, reflecting the beliefs of his time, did not prioritize female education, and as a result, she stopped schooling at the elementary level, around primary six.

As a child, she was sent to live with a guardian and even worked briefly as a housemaid. Despite these struggles, her love for music grew, and by her teenage years, she was already honing her craft in Yoruba traditional chants that would eventually transform into Waka music.

Family

Salawa Abeni has children from two notable relationships:

With Lateef Adepoju: She had her first son, Idris Olanrewaju Adefolajuwon Akanji Adepoju, who sadly died in a road accident on October 2, 2000.

With Alhaji Kollington Ayinla: A prominent Fuji musician and one of Nigeria’s music legends, Kollington fathered three children with Salawa Abeni, including her daughter Aminat Okikiola Ilori and her son popularly known as Big Sheff, who is also making waves in the Nigerian music industry.

Although her relationship with Kollington Ayinla ended, it marked a significant chapter in her personal and musical journey.

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Career

Salawa Abeni’s career took off in 1976, when she released her debut album, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, under Leader Records. The record became the first Yoruba female album to sell over one million copies in Nigeria, a groundbreaking feat that cemented her status as a pioneer.

Her music combined Yoruba cultural traditions and Islamic influences, characterized by deep percussive rhythms and powerful vocal improvisations. Over the decades, she released numerous albums, each reinforcing her place in Nigeria’s musical landscape.

In 1992, her cultural contributions were formally recognized when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, crowned her the official “Queen of Waka Music.” This title remains synonymous with her name.

Age and Current Status

Born in 1961, Queen Salawa Abeni is 64 years old as of 2025. Despite health challenges and personal losses, she remains alive and continues to be active in the Nigerian entertainment space, performing occasionally and engaging with fans through the media.

Legacy

Queen Salawa Abeni’s life story is one of resilience, talent, and cultural pride. From working as a maid to becoming a household name across Nigeria, she broke barriers for women in traditional music. Her groundbreaking record sales, royal title, and trailblazing career have paved the way for other female musicians in a male-dominated industry.

More than a performer, she is a cultural ambassador whose music reflects Yoruba spirituality, identity, and tradition. Her perseverance in the face of adversity continues to inspire younger generations, making her not just a musician but a living symbol of determination and heritage.

Sources
FabWoman.ng — 13 Things to Know About Salawa Abeni
Heritage News Nigeria — Queen Salawa Abeni: The Housemaid Who Modernized Waka Music

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Lifestyle

Parents, Don’t Make Your Children Pay for a Broken Marriage

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A broken marriage can leave adults hurt and angry—but children should never become the victims of problems they did not create.

When a relationship falls apart, emotions can run high. There may be disappointment, resentment, arguments, betrayal, or years of unresolved problems between the couple.

But one thing should remain clear:

The children are not responsible for the failure of their parents’ marriage.

Children did not choose the arguments. They did not cause the separation. They did not make the decisions that brought the relationship to an end.

Yet, in some families, children can become caught in the middle of their parents’ conflict.

A frustrated parent may shout at a child because of anger toward the other parent. Another may use the child to pass messages, criticize the other parent in front of them, or pressure the child to take sides.

This can place an emotional burden on children that they are not prepared to carry.

Your Child Is Not Your Enemy

A child who misbehaves is still a child. They should not be punished for the mistakes, choices, or actions of another adult.

Before taking your frustration out on your son or daughter, take a moment and ask yourself:

“Is my child really the reason I am angry?”

If the answer is no, then don’t make the child pay the price.

Your child may not understand everything happening between the adults, but they can certainly feel the tension.

They need reassurance, stability, love and protection—especially when the family is going through a difficult period.

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Don’t Force Children to Choose Sides

Even when parents no longer live together, children should not be turned into weapons against one another.

Avoid making children feel guilty for loving both parents.

A child should be allowed to say, “I love my mother” and “I love my father” without feeling that they have betrayed either parent.

Adults may have serious disagreements, but children should not be forced to carry those disagreements.

Protect Their Hearts

You cannot always control how a marriage ends.

But you can control how you treat your children during and after the separation.

You can choose not to insult them because you are angry.

You can choose not to use them as messengers.

You can choose not to make them responsible for adult problems.

And you can choose to remind them:

“None of this is your fault. You are loved.”

A broken relationship does not have to create broken children.

Parents, deal with your pain without transferring it to the innocent children who still look to you for love and protection.

What do you think?

Should parents completely separate their marital conflicts from their relationship with their children?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

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YOUR MARRIAGE IS NOT A PUBLIC VOTING CONTEST!

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One of the biggest mistakes couples can make is allowing outsiders to become the voice of their relationship.

A friend hears one argument.

A relative hears one complaint.

Someone hears one side of the story—and suddenly they are telling you how to treat your spouse.

Before you accept someone else’s opinion, remember: they may know your spouse’s mistakes, but they may not know the full story.

Healthy couples should learn to communicate directly, protect their private matters, and resolve disagreements without allowing gossip and outside pressure to control the relationship.

That does not mean ignoring genuine concerns or refusing to seek help when a relationship has serious problems. Sometimes trusted family members, counselors, or professionals can provide valuable support.

But there is a difference between helpful advice and advice that creates hatred, disrespect, suspicion, or division.

❤️ Protect what you and your spouse are building.

💬 QUESTION FOR OUR READERS:

Should couples keep most marital problems between themselves, or should they involve family and friends when things go wrong?

👇 Tell us your honest opinion in the comments.
📲 Share this post and let other couples join the conversation.

#NewsBreak365 #Relationships #Marriage #Couples #LoveAndMarriage #RelationshipAdvice #MarriageAdvice #Family #Communication

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Lifestyle

When Couples Turn Private Secrets Into Public Gossip

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Some couples are good at exposing their spouse’s secrets to other people—but what happens to trust when private matters become public conversation?

Marriage and relationships are built on more than love. Trust, respect, loyalty and confidentiality are also important parts of a healthy relationship.

Unfortunately, some couples reveal their partner’s private information whenever they have an argument. A disagreement that should be handled between two people can quickly become a story shared with friends, relatives, neighbours or even people on social media.

Your partner may have trusted you enough to share personal struggles, family problems, financial difficulties, past mistakes or emotional concerns. Turning those private conversations into gossip can cause serious damage to that trust.

Not Every Argument Needs an Audience

Every relationship has disagreements. Couples will not always see things the same way, and emotions can become intense.

But there is a difference between seeking genuine advice from a trusted person and deliberately exposing your partner simply to embarrass them or make yourself look like the victim.

Once private information is shared, you cannot completely control where it goes.

The people who hear the secret may remember it long after the couple has settled their disagreement.

Think Before You Speak

Before revealing something personal about your spouse, ask yourself:

“Would I want my partner to tell other people this same thing about me?”

If the answer is no, it may be worth reconsidering whether the information should be shared.

There are situations where seeking help is necessary, especially when there is abuse, danger, serious financial problems or other circumstances requiring professional or trusted support. Privacy should not prevent someone from getting the help they genuinely need.

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But ordinary relationship disagreements do not always need a public audience.

Protect the Trust

A relationship should be a place where both partners can feel safe discussing their fears, weaknesses and mistakes without constantly worrying that their private conversations will become tomorrow’s gossip.

Love is not only about what you say when things are going well. It is also about how you handle your partner’s vulnerability when things go wrong.

Before exposing your spouse’s secrets, remember that the argument may end, but the damage to trust can remain.

What Do You Think?

Should couples keep their partner’s private matters confidential even when they are angry with each other?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

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