Barrister Segun Awolowo, the eldest son of the late Nigerian statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, is remembered as a brilliant young lawyer whose promising life was cut short in a tragic accident. Though his years on earth were few, his dedication to justice, family, and national service left a lasting impression on Nigeria’s legal and political history.
Early Life and Education
Segun Awolowo was born on January 21, 1939, into the influential Awolowo family of Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria. As the first son of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalist leaders and founder of the Action Group, Segun was raised in an environment that valued education, discipline, and service to humanity.
He attended Ibadan Grammar School, one of the most prestigious schools in the Western Region at the time, where he excelled academically. His brilliance and leadership qualities earned him admiration among his peers and teachers. Following in his father’s footsteps, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study law.
After completing his legal studies, Segun was called to the Bar in England, becoming a barrister. He soon returned to Nigeria to practice law and contribute to the country’s post-independence development.
Career and Promise
In his short but impactful career, Barrister Segun Awolowo showed exceptional promise in the legal profession. He was described as intelligent, eloquent, and deeply committed to justice. Friends and colleagues saw in him the making of a great lawyer and public servant — a young man determined to build on his father’s legacy through hard work and integrity.
Tragic Death
Tragedy struck on July 10, 1963, when Segun Awolowo died in a car accident on his way to Lagos. He was only 24 years old. Reports from the time indicate that he was traveling to Lagos to assist in the legal defense of his father, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was facing a treason trial under the federal government of the day.
His death was a heavy blow to the Awolowo family and the entire nation, as many saw in him the continuation of a political and intellectual legacy.
Legacy and Family
Though he died young, Segun Awolowo’s name remains deeply respected in Nigerian history. He left behind a son, Chief Olusegun Awolowo Jr., who later served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), continuing the family’s legacy of national service.
Today, Segun Awolowo is remembered not only as a loving son and father but also as a symbol of dedication, courage, and sacrifice. His family — including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — continue to honor his memory through their work and public service.
A Tribute of Remembrance
This memorial tribute stands as a celebration of a life lived with purpose, though brief. It reminds future generations of the ideals of diligence, loyalty, and patriotism that Segun Awolowo embodied. His untimely passing left a void, but his story continues to inspire many young Nigerians to serve their nation with integrity and courage.
“Gone too soon, yet never forgotten — Barrister Segun Awolowo’s light continues to shine in the legacy of his family and the history of Nigeria.”
Quick Facts
Full Name: Barrister Segun Awolowo
Date of Birth: January 21, 1939
Date of Death: July 10, 1963
Age at Death: 24 years
Profession: Barrister
Parents: Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo
Spouse and Child: Father of Chief Olusegun Awolowo Jr.
State of Origin: Ogun State, Nigeria
Legacy: Remembered as a young lawyer of great promise and integrity
Sources
1. The Guardian Nigeria – “Remembering Segun Awolowo, the Son Who Died Defending His Father” (2023)
2. Vanguard News – “The Untold Story of Barrister Segun Awolowo” (2020)
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!”
