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Sir Kitoye Ajasa: Nigeria’s First Knighted Lawyer and Colonial-Era Legislator

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Sir Kitoye Ajasa was a distinguished Nigerian lawyer, legislator, and newspaper proprietor who played a significant role in shaping early 20th-century colonial Nigeria. Born in the late 19th century, Ajasa rose to prominence as one of the first Western-educated Nigerians to hold political and legal influence during British colonial rule.

Ajasa made history in 1929 when he became the first Nigerian to be knighted by the British Crown, a recognition that underscored his remarkable contributions to law, politics, and the colonial administration. His knighthood symbolized the high level of trust and respect he earned from the British government, even though it also placed him at the center of debates over loyalty and colonial collaboration among emerging Nigerian nationalists.

After studying law in England, Ajasa was called to the Bar in 1893. Upon his return to Nigeria, he quickly established himself as one of the country’s foremost legal practitioners. His expertise and integrity earned him a seat on the Nigerian Legislative Council in 1906, a position he held until 1933. Representing Lagos, Ajasa became a key voice in legislative affairs during a time when very few Nigerians were allowed to participate in governance.

Beyond law and politics, Sir Kitoye Ajasa was a pioneer in journalism. In 1914, he founded The Nigerian Pioneer, one of Nigeria’s earliest newspapers. The publication provided a platform for informed debate and discussion about political, social, and cultural issues of the colonial period. While The Nigerian Pioneer often reflected Ajasa’s conservative views, it played a vital role in Nigeria’s early press development and the intellectual awakening of its elite class.

Ajasa was known for his conservative outlook and close cooperation with colonial authorities. He believed that Africans could achieve progress through education, modernization, and the gradual adoption of European values and systems. Although this stance attracted criticism from nationalists who sought immediate independence and self-determination, Ajasa’s contributions to Nigeria’s legal and political development remain undeniable.

Family played a significant role in his legacy. Sir Kitoye Ajasa was the father of Lady Oyinkan Abayomi, a respected educator, philanthropist, and women’s rights activist who carried forward his commitment to public service and leadership. Through her work, the Ajasa family’s influence extended into Nigeria’s post-colonial period, especially in the empowerment of women and the advancement of education.

Sir Kitoye Ajasa’s life and career embodied both the promise and the contradictions of colonial Nigeria. He passed away in the mid-20th century, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual rigor, civic engagement, and pioneering achievements. Though often viewed through the lens of colonial politics, Ajasa remains an important figure in Nigeria’s journey toward modernization and self-awareness.

Sources:

Nigerian National Archives, Lagos

The Nigerian Pioneer (1914–1930 editions)

Abayomi, Oyinkan. Reflections on My Father’s Legacy (1959)

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Lifestyle

Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

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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’.”

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Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

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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.

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Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

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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!”

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