Renowned Yoruba poet, playwright Olanrewaju Adepoju is dead
Olanrewaju Adepoju
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
Renowned Yoruba poet, playwright and author, Olanrewaju Adepoju has died at the age of 83.
He died around 7.00 pm on Sunday in his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.
His demise was announced by his son, Adejare Adepoju on Sunday evening.
In a tribute immediately after the legendary poet’s demise, Bimbo Esho, Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company Ltd. described Adepoju as a poet, playwright, author and social crusader who used the power of his poetry to influence successive government policies.
“He wrote Sagba Dewe, Ironu Akewi, Orirun Yoruba, among others.
“In the dark days of the Military regime, Adepoju was a force to be reckoned with as many of his songs centred on correcting societal ills and unfavorable government policies.
“His genre of Ewi warned, criticized and also entertained his followers.
“This great Ewi Exponent who is a native of Oyo State lost his sight few years ago before finally succumbing to the cold hands of death today.
“The output of his deep imagination and vision of poetry with the development of his creative consciousness are already being curated in books and musical forms for posterity,” Esho informed in the tribute.
