Who exactly is Olanrewaju Adepoju?
Olanrewaju Adepoju is a Yoruba man who was born in the town of Aba Oke Pupa, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1940. He is well-known as a poet, author, and religious leader. Lanrewaju Adepoju learned to read and write in Yoruba and English on his own.
Throughout his childhood, he interacted with West African griots, imbibing their wisdom as poets and storytellers. This event gave him a comprehensive understanding of Yoruba linguistic arts and culture. Unfortunately, his son reported his death on Facebook on Sunday evening, December 10, 2023. He passed away at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Olanrewaju Adepoju’s Childhood
Adepoju was born in Aba Oke Pupa, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1940. He spent his early years interacting with West African griots, which helped him lay the groundwork for his poetry. However, no information about the poet’s education is available.
Career of Olanrewaju Adepoju
He began his career as a proofreader for a newspaper before moving on to poetry and fiction. He published the collection “Ironu Akewi” in 1972, followed by the novel “Ladepo Omo Adanwo” in 1975. Surprisingly, this novel was adapted into a film in 2005.
His Initial recognition came from being a poet, leading to a role in the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service. He was hired to present poetry during the dawn segment known as “Ijinji Akewi” (the poet’s morning song).
As a result of the station’s copyright obligations for his original creations, he resigned from his position. He delved into the domains of an independent poet and song producer on his own.
He communicated his spoken Yorùbá poetry directly with the audience via numerous mediums, including vinyl recordings, cassettes, and later CDs. Surprisingly, his discography includes approximately a hundred spoken-word ew CDs.
More about the Career of Olanrewaju Adepoju
He is also well-known for his politically charged poems. Over time, he became the Yorùbá-speaking nation’s poetic conscience. Adepoju was a religious leader, a vociferous critic of politicians, and a fighter for the masses. He eventually became a spokesperson for politicians and bureaucrats who shared his views.