The image features Reverend Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti (1855–1930), a pioneering Nigerian clergyman, educator, and music composer whose legacy bridges the worlds of Christianity, music, and cultural identity. Known widely as “The Singing Minister,” Ransome-Kuti was among the first to use indigenous music as a tool for evangelism and social reform in colonial Nigeria.
Born in 1855 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti hailed from a distinguished Egba family. He was educated at the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Training Institute, Abeokuta, and later at CMS Grammar School, Lagos, where he received a foundation in Western education and Christian theology. His early exposure to missionary teaching shaped his lifelong dedication to the Anglican Church and his passion for spreading Christianity through music.
Ransome-Kuti became one of the first Nigerian clergymen ordained by the Church Missionary Society, serving faithfully at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta, where he also taught music and organized choirs. He earned the affectionate nickname “The Singing Minister” for his exceptional ability to blend gospel teachings with indigenous Yoruba melodies, which made his messages more relatable to local congregations.
In 1922, he made history by becoming the first Nigerian musician to record an album, under the Zonophone label, in London. The record featured his original compositions of Yoruba hymns and Christian songs, such as “Jesu Olugbala ni mo f’ori fun ẹ” (“I give myself to Jesus the Saviour”). His works were instrumental in translating Christian theology into a form accessible to Yoruba-speaking communities.
Ransome-Kuti was also a composer of the Egba national anthem, “Lori Oke Ati Petele,” and numerous hymns that continue to be sung in Anglican churches across Nigeria. His use of Yoruba tonality in gospel music not only preserved indigenous musical identity but also marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s cultural and religious history.
A passionate missionary, he led campaigns against idolatry in Abeokuta and neighboring regions, using his songs as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation. His evangelistic approach made Christianity more appealing to the Yoruba people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Beyond his ministry, Ransome-Kuti left a profound family legacy. He was the grandfather of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, two of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural icons. This lineage reflects the enduring influence of the Ransome-Kuti family on Nigerian intellectual, cultural, and political life.
Reverend Ransome-Kuti passed away in 1930, leaving behind a rich musical and spiritual heritage. His recordings are preserved at the British Museum and recognized as some of the earliest examples of African Christian music ever captured on record.
Today, he is remembered not only as a devout minister and composer but also as a cultural bridge-builder who used faith and music to unify communities and redefine worship in Nigeria.
Sources:
British Museum Archives, Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti Recordings (1922)
Church Missionary Society Records, London (1890–1930)
Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Profiles of Yoruba Pioneers (2023)
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
