Lifestyle
Princess Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola: The Nigerian Royal Who Served as a Wartime Nurse (PHOTOS)
A pioneer of compassion and courage whose service redefined the legacy of African women during World War II.
Early Life and Royal Heritage
Princess Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola was born into the royal family of Abeokuta, Nigeria, as the daughter of Oba Sir Ladapo Samuel Ademola II, the Alake of Egbaland. Her royal lineage placed her among the most prominent Yoruba families of her time. Yet, rather than living a life of luxury, she chose a path of service — dedicating her life to nursing and humanitarian care.
Her early life reflected the values of discipline and community that defined the Egba monarchy. Like many members of the educated Nigerian elite of the early 20th century, she was sent abroad for professional training, where she would later distinguish herself in one of the most challenging periods of modern history.
Training at Guy’s Hospital, London
Princess Adenrele Ademola began her nursing career at Guy’s Hospital, one of London’s most prestigious medical institutions. She trained rigorously and, in 1941, she qualified as a state-registered nurse.
Following this achievement, she obtained additional credentials from the Central Midwives Board, expanding her qualifications to include midwifery — a rare dual certification for African women in Britain at the time. Her academic and professional excellence made her one of the earliest Nigerian royals to earn medical credentials in the United Kingdom.
Wartime Service and the London Blitz
When the Second World War broke out, Princess Adenrele Ademola remained in London and joined the ranks of medical professionals who treated casualties during the Blitz — the relentless bombing of the city by German forces between 1940 and 1941.
She worked in several hospitals across London, including Guy’s Hospital and other wartime medical units, providing care to both soldiers and civilians. Her service under the harsh wartime conditions demonstrated extraordinary courage and dedication, earning her deep respect from her colleagues and patients alike.
At a time when colonial subjects were often overlooked in British public life, Princess Adenrele stood as a proud symbol of African contribution, resilience, and professional excellence.
“Nurse Ademola” – The Lost Wartime Film
In 1943, her remarkable story inspired a short film titled “Nurse Ademola”, produced by the Colonial Film Unit. The film was part of Britain’s wartime propaganda initiative, designed to highlight the contributions of individuals from across the British Empire to the war effort.
The film portrayed her daily life as a nurse in London, her interactions with patients and colleagues, and her unwavering commitment to service amidst the challenges of war. It was shown across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, to encourage women and colonial subjects to join essential services and support the Allied cause.
Unfortunately, Nurse Ademola is now considered a lost film, with no known surviving copies. Nonetheless, it remains an invaluable part of colonial-era cinematic history and a rare example of early African representation in British media.
Later Career and Legacy
After the war, Princess Adenrele Ademola continued her nursing career, serving in hospitals both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Her career spanned over three decades, during which she became a role model for African women entering the nursing profession.
Through her work, she demonstrated that nobility was not merely a matter of birth, but of service, compassion, and courage. She inspired generations of Nigerian women to pursue education and careers in healthcare, long before such paths were common.
Today, her story is studied within the broader history of African women’s contributions to global service, particularly within the context of World War II and British colonial history.
A Forgotten Icon of African History
Despite her royal heritage and international achievements, Princess Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola’s story remains relatively unknown in Nigeria. Historians and film archivists continue to search for surviving reels or documentation of Nurse Ademola, viewing it as a crucial artefact of African presence in wartime Britain.
Her life bridges two worlds — the royal traditions of Yoruba culture and the professional modernity of post-war Britain. As such, she embodies a form of quiet heroism that continues to resonate in narratives of African women’s resilience.
References
1. Imperial War Museum, London – “Nurse Ademola” (Colonial Film Unit, 1943) Archive Notes.
2. British Film Institute (BFI) – Colonial Film: Moving Images of the British Empire Database.
Nigerian Royal and nurse Princess Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola with a young patient on an eye care ward during her nursing training at Guy’s Hospital, in Southwark, London, England, 3rd January 1938. Princess Adenrele Ademola is the daughter of Ladapo Ademola, the Alake of Abeokuta. (Photo by Becker/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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A legacy of education, empowerment, and excellence in shaping Nigeria’s first generation of female leaders.
Historical Background
St. Anne’s School, Ibadan, stands as one of Nigeria’s most enduring symbols of female education and empowerment. Its foundation is deeply rooted in the Christian missionary movement of the 19th century, particularly the efforts of the Church Missionary Society (CMS).
The school as it exists today was born in 1950, following the merger of two pioneering institutions — CMS Girls’ Seminary, Lagos (1869) and Kudeti Girls’ School, Ibadan (1899). This unification created the first secondary school in Nigeria established exclusively for the education of girls, marking a transformative chapter in Nigeria’s educational history.
Origins: CMS Girls’ Seminary, Lagos (Founded 1869)
The CMS Girls’ Seminary was established in 1869 by the Anglican Church Missionary Society in Lagos. It was Nigeria’s first school to provide formal secondary education for girls, a revolutionary concept at the time when Western education was largely reserved for boys.
The seminary’s mission was clear — to train Christian girls as teachers, mothers, and community leaders. The curriculum balanced religious instruction with academic and domestic education, preparing young women to contribute meaningfully to society.
Many of its early students were daughters of freed slaves and early Christian converts, reflecting the CMS’s commitment to social reform and moral education.
Expansion: Kudeti Girls’ School, Ibadan (Founded 1899)
By the late 19th century, the need for similar institutions outside Lagos led to the establishment of Kudeti Girls’ School in Ibadan in 1899. The school was founded by Anglican missionaries who recognised Ibadan’s growing importance as a major Yoruba city and an educational hub.
Kudeti Girls’ School continued the CMS tradition of offering sound academic and moral training, nurturing young women who would later become teachers, nurses, and administrators during the colonial period.
The 1950 Merger: Birth of St. Anne’s School, Ibadan
In 1950, the Anglican Church decided to merge the two schools — CMS Girls’ Seminary, Lagos, and Kudeti Girls’ School, Ibadan — into one unified institution. The new school was named St. Anne’s School, Ibadan, and it was located on the Kudeti site.
The merger symbolised the Anglican mission’s dedication to consolidating female education under a single, well-equipped institution. St. Anne’s quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence, discipline, and moral integrity, producing graduates who went on to break barriers in various fields.
Academic Excellence and Alumni Achievements
St. Anne’s School became a leading light in West African education. Its alumnae include some of Nigeria’s first female pioneers in various professions:
Nigeria’s first female science graduate
Nigeria’s first female Chief Judge of Lagos State
Nigeria’s first female novelist
These remarkable achievements underscore the school’s vision — to raise women who are both intellectually and morally upright. The institution’s rigorous academic curriculum, combined with a focus on leadership and social responsibility, continues to distinguish its students.
Cultural and Religious Influence
Beyond academics, St. Anne’s School has played a central role in promoting moral and spiritual education. Rooted in the Anglican ethos, the school emphasises Christian values, discipline, and community service. Over the decades, it has hosted generations of students who have upheld these principles, contributing to Nigeria’s socio-cultural and religious landscape.
Present Day and Legacy
Today, St. Anne’s School, Ibadan, remains one of Nigeria’s most prestigious girls’ schools. It continues to operate under the Anglican Church’s supervision and maintains strong alumni associations both locally and internationally.
The school’s historic architecture, serene environment, and consistent academic record serve as living testaments to its enduring mission — educating women for service, leadership, and faith.
As Nigeria advances in education and gender equality, St. Anne’s School stands as a proud reminder of the country’s earliest efforts to empower women through learning.
References
1. St. Anne’s School, Ibadan – Official School Records and Alumni Association Archives
2. Oduyoye, Modupe. The Church Missionary Society and the Development of Female Education in Nigeria (1869–1950), Ibadan University Press, 1988.
3. Ajayi, J. F. Ade. Christian Missions in Nigeria 1841–1891: The Making of a New Elite, Longman, 1965.
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From Ibadan to England, Belgium, and Canada — the story of a Nigerian winger who made his mark abroad.
An Act of Honesty That Cost Him — and Then Rewarded Him
Folorunso “Foley” Okenla, a former Super Eagles player, was once punished for being honest.
At one point in his early career, he was invited to join the Flying Eagles (Nigeria’s U-20 national team). However, Okenla declined the call-up, truthfully informing the coach that he had already exceeded the age limit for that category. His honesty did not sit well with the coach, who, angered by his refusal, vowed that Okenla would never play for the national team.
Yet, destiny had other plans. Some time later, that same coach travelled abroad for a training course, and in his absence, Okenla received another opportunity. He was invited to the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior national team, where he earned five caps — four officially recognised by FIFA and one non-FIFA match — though he did not score any goals.
This story of integrity and eventual triumph highlights the values that defined Okenla’s football journey — truthfulness, discipline, and perseverance.
Early Life, Background, and Education
Folorunso Okenla was born on 9 October 1967 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
As of 2025, he is 57 years old, turning 58 in October.
Public information about his early family background and formal education is limited. However, his family is partially documented through his children — notably his son, Henry Okenla, who is listed as the son of Folorunso and Rachael Okenla on the official Boston College Athletics roster.
Family
Foley Okenla is a devoted father. His son, Henry Okenla, attended Boston College in the United States, where he played college football and was officially described as “the son of Folorunso and Rachael Okenla.”
Henry has four siblings — Christina, Aila, Lola, and Grace — also listed in the same biographical note. While Okenla’s private life remains largely out of the public eye, this information reflects a family legacy that continues to value sports and education across generations.
Club Career
Okenla’s professional football career took him across three continents, showcasing his versatility and ambition:
1991: Signed for Burnley F.C. (England) but did not make a league appearance.
1991 – 1992: Joined Birmingham City F.C. (England, Third Division), where he made 7 appearances and scored 1 goal.
1992 – 1993: Transferred to K.V. Turnhout in Belgium’s Second Division, appearing 4 times.
1993: Signed for Montreal Impact in Canada’s American Professional Soccer League, making 7 appearances.
His career abroad made him part of the early wave of Nigerian footballers who ventured overseas in search of professional growth long before it became commonplace.
International Career
Representing his country was one of Okenla’s proudest achievements.
He played for the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, earning at least four official FIFA caps and one additional non-FIFA match between 1988 and 1994.
He was also a member of the squad at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up, reinforcing his status among the nation’s top players of his era.
Style of Play and Position
Folorunso Okenla primarily operated as a winger, renowned for his speed, creativity, and direct attacking play. Though his overall number of club appearances was modest, his consistent inclusion in Nigeria’s national setup spoke to his quality and professionalism on the pitch.
Legacy and Post-Playing Life
Following his retirement, Okenla has occasionally appeared in media discussions and football commentary in Nigeria. His honesty, both on and off the field, continues to inspire younger athletes.
His son’s participation in North American college football reflects how his sporting spirit endures through a new generation — a cross-continental legacy that connects Nigeria and the diaspora.
Okenla’s journey from Ibadan to Europe and North America, coupled with his story of integrity and resilience, cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s understated football ambassadors.
References
1. “Foley Okenla.” National-Football-Team
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