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Adunni Oluwole: The Fearless Yoruba Woman Who Warned Nigeria Against Independence

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Adunni Oluwole remains one of the most controversial and intriguing figures in Nigeria’s late colonial political history. At a time when nationalist leaders were mobilising the masses for immediate self-rule, Oluwole stood almost alone as a vocal opponent of rapid independence, arguing that Nigeria was not yet prepared for the responsibilities and dangers that would follow the departure of British colonial administration.

Born in 1905 into the family of an Ibadan warrior, Adunni Oluwole’s reputation for fearlessness was rooted in both her upbringing and her temperament. Her early life was partly spent under the care of Bishop Howells of St John’s Church, Aroloya, Lagos, after which she grew up in Mushin. From a young age, she showed signs of independence and creativity. As a youth, she wrote a highly successful play for the Girls’ Guild of St John’s Church, Lagos, which was directed by Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists. She later distinguished herself as the only woman to found a professional theatre company in Western Nigeria, using drama as a tool for social and political commentary.

Oluwole rose to national prominence during the General Strike of 1945, a defining moment in Nigeria’s labour and nationalist movements. When the colonial government withheld workers’ salaries, she mobilised women to support the striking workers and personally donated funds to trade unions to help them cope with the crisis. Her actions earned her recognition as a powerful grassroots organiser with strong appeal among ordinary people, particularly women and rural dwellers.

Politically, Adunni Oluwole was a committed unitarist and a fierce critic of the Nigerian political elite. In 1954, she founded the Nigerian Commoners Party, a movement that opposed the rapid transfer of power to Nigerians, which she believed would only replace British colonialism with what she described as “internal colonialism” by indigenous elites.

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Despite being a woman in a male-dominated political space, she won a seat in Ikirun, in present-day Osun State, during the 1954 Western Region House of Representatives election, defeating candidates from both the NCNC and the Action Group led by Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo respectively.

Her views shocked many Nigerians. Among Yoruba-speaking communities, her movement became mockingly known as Egbe Koyinbo Máílò—“The White Man Must Not Go”. Yet her message resonated with sections of the rural population who were already burdened by taxation and wary of elite politics. Oluwole argued that independence, if poorly managed, would lead to dictatorship, corruption and the oppression of the masses.

Her confrontational style brought her into direct conflict with powerful figures. On 25 August 1955, she presented her views at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, where she was publicly insulted and threatened by Ibadan politician Adegoke Adelabu.

Following her banishment from Ibadan, she continued her activism in Akure, staging dramatic public demonstrations in which she tied ropes around her waist and had hired men pull her through the streets as a symbol of the suffering she believed ordinary Nigerians would endure under post-colonial leadership.

Adunni Oluwole died in 1957 from complications related to whitlow, three years before Nigeria attained independence. Though widely dismissed and ridiculed in her lifetime, her warnings have since been revisited by historians and commentators who see in her activism an early critique of post-colonial governance in Nigeria. Today, she is remembered as a fearless woman who dared to challenge the dominant nationalist narrative and paid a heavy personal price for her convictions.

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Source:
– Toyin Falola, The Political Economy of a Pre-Colonial African State: Ibadan, 1830–1900 (and related essays on Yoruba political culture).

– Tekena N. Tamuno, Nigeria and Elective Representation, 1923–1947.

– Nigerian historical archives and secondary literature on late colonial politics in Western Nigeria.

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Ibadan indigenes warn politicians against disrespecting Olubadan

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The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, on Monday, read a riot act to the politicians in Oyo State, especially in the ancient city, over disrespecting the sacred stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland, warning that any attempt to denigrate the revered stool will be met with severe consequences.

CCII President-General, Ajeniyi Ajewole, gave this warning in a statement released by the council’s Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, in Ibadan, the state capital, amid growing concerns over rising reckless  utterances and conducts in the state by some power-seeking politicians

He said recent actions by some political actors had crossed acceptable boundaries and posed a risk to the dignity of traditional institutions in Ibadanland.

Ajewole stressed that the council would not tolerate any form of disrespect directed at the Olubadan stool, warning further that the CCII would not sit idly by and watch the Olubadan throne desecrated for political gain.

CCII said, “The stool is sacred to the people of Ibadanland and must be treated with the highest respect at all times. Any attempt to denigrate the revered stool will be met with severe consequences.”

The PG added that the Olubadan remains a unifying father figure to all indigenes and residents of Ibadan, regardless of political affiliation.

He said, “All politicians in Oyo are sons and daughters of the Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution.

“Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of Olubadan and the stool and turning around to tender any apology would not be tolerated any longer. You mess up with that stool, you must be ready to face the consequence(s).

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“The palace can never become any politician’s pawn; it is our symbol of strength and unity. This is the last time such nonsense will be condoned. Let politicians be warned, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. We will defend our tradition, our heritage, and our dignity,” the council warned.

It also reiterated that the institution is strictly non-partisan and has continued to maintain neutrality and respect for all political actors in the state.

The council expressed strong displeasure over incidents where politicians were seen raining curses on their opponents, describing such conduct as irresponsible and unacceptable.

Ajewole, therefore, urged political actors to exercise restraint, warning that political differences must never be allowed to escalate into attacks on cultural and traditional institutions.

He called for maturity in political engagement, saying, “Politics should never be reduced to insults, curses, or hostility. We urge all political actors to rise above bitterness and act in the interest of peace and unity.”

The CCII reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the sanctity of the Olubadan stool and called on all stakeholders to ensure that respect, peace, and decorum remain central to political activities in the state.

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Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife welcome triplet sons

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Popular Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji, on Friday announced the arrival of his triplet sons with his wife and fellow actress, Adebimpe Oyebade, popularly known as Mo Bimpe.

Adedimeji made the announcement via his official Instagram page, sharing an emotional message in which he described the children as his world, responsibility, and legacy.

“I’ve been quiet… not absent. I was building, protecting, and embracing the greatest blessing of my life. God gave me more than I prayed for — a woman who became a mother of three, and three kings to call my own,” he wrote.

The actor, who closed the post with the Islamic expression of gratitude, “Alhamdulilah,” did not disclose the date of birth or the names of the children.

The announcement drew an outpouring of congratulations from fans and colleagues.

Fellow Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe wrote, “To God be the glory. Congratulations.”

OloyedeJuliana also wrote, “God is Good!!! God is Good!!!God is Good!!! Watching this again, I’m in tears, congratulations my fam, so happy for you two. Can’t believe
I’m an Auntie”

Also reacting, Omowumi Dada wrote, “Such GOODNEWS for the month of May. THANK YOU JESUSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Congratulations fam”

Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe, both prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, had their wedding ceremony in 2021.

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I take full responsibility, Sisi Alagbo’s husband apologises over leaked sex tape

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The husband of popular social media personality Eniola Fagbemi, known as Sisi Alagbo, Adesola Akeem, has issued a public apology over a leaked sex tape involving his wife, himself and another woman.

The video went viral on Monday and has since generated widespread controversy online.

The video, which depicted the trio in an intimate encounter, began circulating on WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels before spreading rapidly to gossip blogs, Instagram pages and explicit-content websites.

In the footage, Fagbemi is seen filming Akeem having sexual relations with the third woman while all three were unclothed. It remains unclear how the video made its way online.

Akeem, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, said he took full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged the disappointment the incident had caused.

“I write with a deep sense of responsibility and sincere remorse to extend my heartfelt apologies to my family, friends, business associates, religious leaders, fans, loved ones, and the entire Nigerian public over the recent incident involving a leaked sex scandal.

“I acknowledge the disappointment, embarrassment, and concern this situation has caused, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he wrote.

He added that his conduct had fallen short of the values expected of him by those who had trusted and supported him.

Akeem also directed specific apologies to family members, friends, business associates, and religious bodies.

“To my fans and supporters, I deeply regret letting you down,” he said.

He described the period as one of reflection and said he was committed to making better decisions and rebuilding trust.

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“I am committed to making better decisions, rebuilding trust, and upholding integrity in both my private and public life going forward,” he added.

Sisi Alagbo had on Wednesday also apologised on her verified Facebook account, saying she had been unable to eat or sleep since the video emerged.

“I own my mistakes, and I apologize with all sincerity for the video circulating online. I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me,” she wrote.

Fagbemi rose to prominence through her promotion of herbal concoctions and became a social media sensation after a viral video of her kneeling to greet Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

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