History Untold

Maybe those who were of the school age in the 70s will know this name. For purpose of the young generation, she was crowned the first Miss Nigeria in 1957 in a contest that involved over 200 young girls from all parts of Nigeria. Born in Sabon Gari, Kano on November 16, 1931, to the Christian family of the late James Adeleye Oyelude and late Marthan Datanu of Isanlu in Kogi State, young and charming Tinuke had her elementary and secondary education between 1940 and 1952 in Kano. After her secondary education, she had a stint with United African Company (UAC) of Kano in 1957 at the age of 26. She hit the world headlines when she was crowned the first Miss Nigeria few months after she gained admission into the school of nursing, Ashford Kent, England. She completed her training and became a State Registered Nurse (SRN) in 1961. Not yet satisfied with her achievements, she enrolled immediately at the school of midwifery, St. Thomas Hospital, London from where she qualified as a state re...

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was born on October 25, 1900 in Abeokuta in present day capital of Ogun state, South west Nigeria. She was a women’s rights activist and a traditional aristocrat in Nigeria. She was one of the most prominent women leaders in her generation. She was the first woman in the country to drive a car. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, mother of music maestro, Fela, fought against the Alake of Egbaland in present day Ogun state between 1946 and 1949 . The women were unhappy with various actions of the Alake, some of which were the introduction of taxation on women’s produce and non-representation in the sole native authority. She led a massive protest against the Alake which spanned a period of almost four years culminating in the self exile of the monarch. Following her determination, she was described as the leading figure of female rights and the mother of Africa. She was a very powerful force advocating for the Nigerian woman's right to vote and fought for women’s recogni...

Sumonu Oladele “Baines” Giwa was born on 16 March 1947 to a poor family working in the palace of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife. He worked with the New York Times as a news assistant for four years after which he relocated to Nigeria to work with Daily Times. Dele Giwa and fellow journalists Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed founded Newswatch in 1984, and the first edition was distributed on 28 January 1985. A 1989 description of the magazine said it changed the format of print journalism in Nigeria and introduced bold, investigative formats to news reporting in Nigeria. However, in the first few months of the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who took power in August 1985, the magazine was shamelessly flattering. It printed his face on the cover four times and even criticized “anyone who attempted to make life unpleasant for Babangida”. Later, the paper took a more hostile view of the Babangida regime. Dele Giwa married an American nurse in 1974. His secon...

  Efunsetan Aniwura, the great Iyalode of Ibadan was a wealthy and powerful woman of unusual boldness, strength and intelligence. According to accounts of books, biographies and films about her, she reigned as the Iyalode of Ibadan for years. No light was shed about her husband but she had only one child (girl), who died at a very young age, between the ages of 19 and 22 years whilst in labour. Efunsetan was a very close friend of Madam Tinubu the Iyalode of Egba. She was a wealthy woman in their days. Till date it is said that Efunsetan was the boldest, most powerful and wealthiest Iyalode that reigned in Yoruba land. Her glory was rare and could not be compared with any other during her reign. Efunsetan was a business woman who travelled round the country to buy products like bitter kola, kola-nut, cocoa, etc, she was well-known among the Hausa and the western states. “She was among the first women that had business transaction with the white men. This also helped Ibadan in civi...

  Richard “Tiger” Ihetu was one of the greatest boxers to come out of Africa. He made history in 1962 when he won the world middleweight title in New York. He triumphed again in 1963 when he defended his crown in Nigeria in the first ever world title boxing match put on in Africa. Ihetu was born to noble, but cash-strapped parents in Amaigbo, Imo State, Nigeria, as one of four children on August 14th, 1929; he was christened Richard, Iherigbo. Ihetu started boxing at age 19, competing in inter-club contests organized by British military officers in Nigeria. At one of his bouts, a fan watched the short, stocky Ihetu practically jump in the air to hit his opponent. What tenacity he thought, almost like a Tiger. “A tiger is what he is!” the fan shouted. Thus the name Tiger was born. In 1959, Ihetu immigrated to the USA. It was in the USA that Ihetu improve and perfected his boxing skills, to become one of the most sought after fighters by boxing promoters and fight fans. He became a ...

Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan is a British-trained Nigerian lawyer, industrialist, politician and traditional chieftain. He was appointed as interim president of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida on 26 August 1993. Babangida resigned under pressure to cede control to a democratic government. Shonekan's transitional administration only lasted three months, as a palace coup led by General Sani Abacha forcefully dismantled the remaining democratic institutions and brought the government back under military control on 17 November 1993. Prior to his political career, Shonekan was the chief executive of the United African Company of Nigeria PLC (UAC), a large Nigerian conglomerate. He t ook Office 26 August, 1993 and Left Office 17 November, 1993 - 83 Days (Overthrown) . Oloye Shonekan assumed the office of President of Nigeria on 26 August 1993, named by Babangida. The nation was gradually moving towards a stalemate. Shonekan had lobbied for debt cancellation but, after the cancell...

  Orisarayibi Ogundamola passion for leadership earned him the appellation of Ogedengbe. He was born in 1822 to Apasan Borijiwa and Juola Orisatomi, and his birth according to Yoruba history, coincided with the annual Ogun festival. Aponlese 1, was the Owa of Ilesha at the time the young leader to be born. It was customary for the Owa during this Ogun festival to invite all the ‘babalawos’ (medicine men) in the Ijesha territory to come and predict what will be the outcome of the new year to come. It was at this meeting that one particular ‘babalawo’ predicted that on an ‘Isegun’ day in 1822, a child would be born in the land, and he will deliver the Ijesha people from its oppressor(s). And when the day came the Owa sent all his servants to all ‘igberikos’(satelite villages) and as predicted by the ‘babalawo’, Ogedengbe was the only baby who was said to be seen born on that day. After the naming ceremony, he was carried from his father’s house in Ijoka Ilesha to Atorin his mother’...

  Taj Mahal in Oke Oluokun is one of the places you must endeavour to visit for its historic event. That’s the residence and final resting place of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, the Lion of the West. Adelabu needs no introduction. He was the afternoon star that scared the elderly. He was the morning dew that drenched both friends and foes. More than fifty-nine years after his death, he refused to be forgotten. For those who are not familiar with Penkelemesi, please read Onigegewura’s You know Penkelemesi! But do you know Ebullition? to know more about this legendary personality. Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu died at his prime. He died when his sun was at its zenith. It was a death like no other. It was not the death of an individual. It was not the loss of a family. Adegoke Adelabu’s death was a national tragedy. Ibadan stood still. Lagos was stuned. Nigeria went into a state of shock. If there was a politician who understood the psychology of his people, it was Adegoke Adelabu. He was a...