Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola a.k.a Ireti | was One of Nigerian Actress That Should Not Be Forgotten In The HISTORY Of Nollywood Film Industry. One of generation of actors who made home videos popular in the 1990s

Aunty Ireti was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where she also grew up. Aunty Ireti was a producer, film writer, director and an outstanding actress. Unknown to many, her younger relative, Opeyemi Adekola(Not Odunlade)is also an actor and was inspired to take to the thespian art because of his latè aunty. While speaking with Naijarchives, Mr. Opeyemi Ohiomare Adekola explained that the làte Ireti and his own dad were cousins. Mr. Adekola also revealed to us that while both Odunlade Adekola and their family are both from Oyo State, they hail from different parts: Ireti’s own are from Ogbomosho while Odunlade Adekola is from Otun Ekiti. I guess that lays to rest the popular rum0ur that Odunlade Adekola is Ireti’s younger brother. While an actress, the late Ireti was known for starring in many fl|cks alongside Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo

Following her d£ath, there was a sp0ntaneous outpouring of grief across the nation. On the 30th September, 2002, her body in a glistening white c0ffin was on display for her last public appearance at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos before her ßurial. Ireti mentored many actress in her lifetime, grooming them to become stars in their own right, one of whom is Bisi-Ibidapo Obe aka Omo Logba Logba. Ireti was also the role model for Ibironke Ojo aka Ronke Oshodi-Oke.

HOW DID SHE GET THE NAME ‘IRETI’?

In 1993, Jide Kosoko released a movie titled Asiri Nla and in it, she acted the role of Ireti, and that was how the name stuck.

HER D£ATH

Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola di£d after a brief illn£ss due to some c0mplications susp£cted to be from typh0id f£ver. She gave up the gh0st at Unity Hospital, a private medical center in Surulere, Lagos State
This writeup(Caption) is from Ayeni Abayomi page

In October 2012, ten years after she di£d, the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) decided to launch the Ireti Adekola Foundation (IAF) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos to imm0rtalize her name. The foundation was established to take care of single mothers and mentor upcoming and talented actors and actresses.

In the 1990s before the likes of Jenifa and the rest, Nigerian actress, Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola graced the screen of millions across the nation, especially lovers of Yoruba movies. Popularly known as Ireti, she dazzled many with her acting skills until her d£ath on Friday, 27th September, 2002.

Some of the movie She got starred in includes👇

-IKE OWO
-AGBA AKIN
-OLAONIRAN
-23/24 LORO ILE AYE
-AYE AWA OBINRIN (the last movie she appeared in before her d£mise)

Rest well Legend

You’re a screen g0ddess and one of the few most s0ught after relatively younger actresses who made Nollywood attractive in the late 1990s. You are part of the generation of actors who made home videos popular in the 1990s.

©️Ayeni Abayomi

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From “Asewo to Re Mecca” to cultural icon – the remarkable journey of one of Nollywood’s most beloved actresses

Early Life and Family Background

Toyin Adegbola was born on December 28, 1961, in Osun State, Nigeria. She hails from a family with deep creative roots, being the cousin of the legendary actor and filmmaker Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) and his children — among them Kunle Afolayan, Gabriel Afolayan, and Moji Afolayan, all prominent figures in Nigerian cinema.

Growing up in southwestern Nigeria, Toyin’s early exposure to Yoruba culture and storytelling inspired her passion for performance. Before venturing into acting, she worked briefly as a television broadcaster and teacher, experiences that shaped her confidence and communication skills.

Rise to Stardom

Toyin Adegbola began her acting career in 1984, marking her debut in the Yoruba-language sector of Nollywood. She gained national fame after starring in the classic Yoruba film Asewo to Re Mecca (translated as The Prostitute Who Went to Mecca), which earned her the enduring nickname “Toyin Asewo to Re Mecca.”

The film, released during a period when Yoruba cinema was expanding rapidly, portrayed themes of repentance, morality, and redemption, resonating deeply with audiences across Nigeria. Her ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth to complex characters quickly made her one of the most recognisable faces in the industry.

Over the years, she has featured in hundreds of Yoruba films, spanning genres from traditional folklore to contemporary drama. Some of her notable works include:

Deadly Affair (1995)

Irapada (2006)

Arojinle (2018)

Arinola, Alaanu Mi, and Temidire

Through these roles, Toyin Adegbola established herself as a versatile actress, capable of interpreting both comedic and deeply emotional characters.

Beyond Acting: Producer, Director, and Cultural Ambassador

In addition to her acting career, Toyin Adegbola has worked as a producer and director, contributing to the growth of Yoruba-language cinema and mentoring younger filmmakers. Her deep understanding of cultural nuances allows her to bring authenticity to her productions, preserving Yoruba values and traditions through storytelling.

In 2016, she was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Amuludun of Osogboland by the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Larooye II. The title, meaning “Mother of Entertainment”, recognised her outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry and her role in promoting Yoruba culture globally.

Legacy and Influence

Toyin Adegbola’s influence extends far beyond the screen. She represents a generation of Nigerian actresses who helped shape the identity of Yoruba cinema before the digital boom of Nollywood. Her continued presence in film and television demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to artistic excellence.

She has also served in various capacities within industry associations, advocating for the welfare of actors and supporting emerging talents. In interviews, she has often spoken about the importance of discipline, humility, and cultural pride for those aspiring to build lasting careers in the entertainment sector.

Personal Life

Toyin Adegbola is a mother and grandmother, often described as warm and deeply spiritual. She balances her creative pursuits with community involvement and philanthropic activities, particularly in Osun State. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, she remains one of the most respected figures in Nigerian entertainment.

References

Vanguard Nigeria. (2016). Toyin Adegbola Bags Chieftaincy Title in Osogbo.

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How the 1964 visit of Malcolm X to Nigeria deepened his connection to Africa and shaped his global vision of justice

In May 1964, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Malcolm X, set foot on Nigerian soil during a transformative journey across Africa and the Middle East. His visit was more than a diplomatic or cultural exchange — it was a spiritual homecoming, one that forged an enduring bond between the African-American struggle and the African continent.

The African Pilgrimage

Having recently left the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X embarked on a global tour that took him through Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and several other nations. This journey marked the rebirth of his worldview — from one rooted in racial separatism to a more inclusive call for global human rights.

Arriving from Egypt on May 6, 1964, Malcolm X was welcomed warmly in Nigeria. His presence captured the imagination of many students and intellectuals who saw him as a symbol of Black pride and resistance.

During his stay, he visited the University of Ibadan, where he addressed students about African unity, racial identity, and liberation. It was here that he was bestowed the Yoruba name “Omowale,” meaning “the child has returned home.”

Malcolm later recalled the moment with deep emotion:

> “When I was in Ibadan at the University of Ibadan last Friday night, the students there gave me a new name, Omowale, which they say means in Yoruba ‘The child has returned.’ It was an honor.”

The gesture resonated deeply with him — it symbolised his reconnection with the continent from which his ancestors had been torn centuries earlier.

Encounters in Nigeria

Photographs from the visit show Malcolm X interacting with Nigerian students and intellectuals, including Iyabo Attah (left) and Ronke Ademola (right). The warmth of his reception and the intellectual exchange he experienced in Nigeria profoundly influenced his thinking.

At the University of Ibadan, Malcolm’s discussions revolved around pan-Africanism, the importance of solidarity between Africans and the African diaspora, and the need for unity in the fight against oppression.

His Nigerian hosts admired his fearlessness and eloquence, while he admired their pride in African identity and their commitment to independence and progress. The meeting between Malcolm and Nigerian students became a symbolic bridge linking African and African-American struggles for dignity and equality.

A Shift in Vision

Before his trip, Malcolm X’s activism had largely been framed within the context of Black nationalism in America. However, his experiences in Africa — particularly in Nigeria — reshaped his philosophy.

He began to see racism not as an isolated American issue but as part of a global system of oppression. Nigeria’s newly independent society, full of optimism and self-determination, inspired him to imagine a future where Africans and African descendants worldwide could stand united in political and spiritual strength.

Following his visit to Africa and his pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm embraced Sunni Islam and adopted the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. His message evolved to emphasise universal human rights, global justice, and solidarity among oppressed peoples.

Legacy of “Omowale”

Malcolm X’s visit to Nigeria remains one of the most historically significant connections between African-Americans and Nigeria. The name Omowale became not just a title but a symbol of return, reconciliation, and belonging.

In the years that followed, his life and assassination in 1965 inspired many Nigerian intellectuals, writers, and activists who viewed him as a brother whose journey completed the spiritual circle of the African diaspora.

Today, Malcolm X’s legacy continues to live in Nigeria — in classrooms, among civil rights advocates, and within the shared narrative of global Black identity. His 1964 visit stands as a timeless reminder that Africa is not only a geographical origin but a spiritual home for its scattered children.

References

ANTe Archives

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley.

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