Segun Adewale was born in 1948 in Oshogbo, Nigeria, into a royal family. He was raised by a Muslim father, Mr. Adedeji Adewale, and a Christian mother, Christiana Adewale. His early education began at Alafia Institute in Mokola, Ibadan, before he moved to St. Peters Blessed School in Lagos, where he completed his primary education. He continued his studies at Premier College, Yaba, and later attended Ahmadiyya College for his Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Despite his academic background, Adewale’s passion for music began at an early age. After leaving the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in his third year to pursue music, his father initially opposed his decision to follow a musical career. However, Adewale remained determined and moved to Lagos, where he apprenticed under the mentorship of Chief S.L. Atolagbe and his Holy Rainbow band. His real break came when he met the father of Juju music, I.K. Dairo, who encouraged him and helped him hone his skills in arranging and composing music.
In 1977, Adewale, along with his close friend Sir Shina Peters, formed the group Sir Shina Adewale and the Superstars International. In their three years together, the group released nine recordings, marking a significant chapter in Nigerian music. However, in 1980, the two friends went their separate ways to form their own bands. By 1984, Segun Adewale had crafted his unique sound, which he coined “Yo Pop”. This genre blended funk, jazz, juju, reggae, and Afrobeat, creating a fresh fusion that resonated with music lovers and contributed to the evolution of Nigerian popular music.
Segun Adewale’s influence continues to be felt in the Nigerian music industry, and his legacy as a pioneer of Yo Pop stands as a testament to his creativity and passion for blending diverse musical genres.
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called for radical reforms to correct the mistakes recorded by unregistered leagues of Muslim clerics.
Oba Akanbi made the call in his remarks while endorsing the launch of a one thousand member registered league of Imams and Alfas for South West states, Edo and Delta in Ibadan on Saturday.
While affirming his full support for the coalition, Oluwo stressed that the registered league is legally binding with full recognition by the government through the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
The monarch noted that “the body will create a sense of belonging through a decentralised power of the state Imams by recognizing Imams and Alfas at the local levels”.
He challenged Yoruba Imams and Alfas to participate in active politics saying, “Active politics will expose the virtues of good Muslims and further provide an opportunity to improve people’s standards.”
Oluwo also called for collaboration and consistency to ensure the newly planted league survives any challenges confronted at the germination stage.
“There may be challenges at the formation stage. I have strong hope that this registered league will strive and become greater. This is the only league of Imams and Alfas known by law, legally binding and recognized by the government. It is here to stay, fully certified and recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with registration number 9003000.
“Aside from consistency, I appeal for your active participation in politics. If you are politically powerful, the politicians will call you. You won’t run after them as we experience presently. We need you to be in power. You can be elected or appointed. Join a political party today and be active. As Muslims, you need power. The power will not come to you on a plater of gold.
“I charge you all to dedicate yourself to this course of reviving the league through a decentralized power sharing that creates a sense of belonging and togetherness for the local Imams and Alfas.
“I commend those who ensured Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta Muslims under Imams and Alfas are registered to be recognised by law. It’s an improvement and one of the testimonies that our children should be greater than us. It is not a division. It is an improvement,” he said.
The over 1,000 Imams were drawn from the six south west states – Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun, as well as Edo and Delta states.
The remains of renowned Nigerian actor and theatre scholar, Chief Dr Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo, will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Osun State according to a funeral programme released by his family.
Oyewo, who died at the age of 80, was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s foremost theatre practitioners, with a career spanning several decades on stage, television and in academia.
In a funeral announcement, the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, described the deceased as “a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler, and a veteran of the Nigerian theatre.”
In a flier issued by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, the three-day funeral programme will run from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.
“With gratitude to God for a life of purpose, honour and enduring impact, the entire Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, announces the passing of our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler and veteran of the Nigerian theatre,” Newspeak quoted the family’s statement as saying on Saturday.
The late actor was also the Balogun of Oba-Ile in Osun State and an Associate Professor of Drama, earning widespread recognition for his contributions to the development of theatre arts in Nigeria.
Activities lined up for the burial rites will commence on Wednesday, August 5, with a wake-keep and service of songs at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife.
On Thursday, August 6, a commendation mass will be held at the same church, while an artistes’ night featuring tributes and cultural displays is scheduled for later that day at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
A major highlight of the funeral programme will be an exhibition of Oyewo’s works and photographs at the Pit Theatre, African Studies Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, beginning on Thursday and continuing through Friday.
The funeral cortege will leave the late actor’s residence at Ese Ola’s Compound, Oba-Ile, on Friday morning before a requiem mass at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile.
Interment will take place at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, August 7, at Labaluyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, in a ceremony restricted to family members and close associates.
A reception for guests will follow at Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.
Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in Nigerian theatre, Oyewo inspired generations of actors, playwrights and scholars through his work in performance, teaching and cultural preservation.
His death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s theatre community, where he remained a respected voice and mentor for decades, the family noted.
