The Pride of Abeokuta: Celebrating the City’s Most Illustrious Figures

By Yosola Adeyemi

Beyond the verdant hills, beguiling hard rocks, glistening stones, large industries, bustling city view, and every other dynamics that depict the great city of Abeokuta are achievers and prominent indigenes whose feat and success are sung by well-wishers and admirers within and outside the nation’s shore.

Their undisputable achievements and reputation around the globe, all the way from the city of Abeokuta is quite evident in their life endeavors; from their artistic skills to their business prowess, their political affiliations, and philanthropic lifestyles which have molded them into fame and prestige.

Kayode Akinshola: He is a prominent figure in the country whose legal profession has enhanced his name among his counterparts . As a man whose tentacles spread into different corners and spaces, he works as a Partner at Queens Attorneys LP and serves as a Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State. Kayode Akinshola have gone beyond the city of Abeokuta by engaging with several professional bodies within and outside the country, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). His contributions to the society at large are vivid, from his presence in the academic field as lecturer and profound lecturer, to his extensive writings and publications on legal works.
Kayode Akinshola’s prowess in the academic scene has been revealed in Chrisland University. His presence in the University has left a great mark and impact on the students and school administration in general. Whether in his legal profession, research endeavour, or teaching profession, Kayode Akinshola keeps on creating legacies in any society he found himself and this have made him to be celebrated as one of prominent figures in the city of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Olusegun Obasanjo is undebatably one of the great figures the city of Abeokuta have ever produced. The Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a statesman who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 and 1979 an dlater as its president from 1999 to 2007. He was born around the village of Owu, and spent most of his education largely in Abeokuta. Olusegun Obasanjo was well known from his military life down to his civilian life. He has been described as one of the prominent figures of the second generation of post-colonial African leaders. Beyond his political affiliations, he is well known for enthusiasm towards agriculture. He preaches about the importance of agriculture which he has always seen as a number economic determinant apart from his other counterparts. He is a man of culture which is evident in his mode of dressings, language, and philosophical orientation.

Wole Soyinka is a legendary Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist who originated from the city of Abeokuta. He was the first Sub-Saharan African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. During his formative years, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London, and this influenced his creative plays which have been staged in different theatres within and outside the shores of Africa. Apart from his writing prowess and feats, Wole Soyinka has actively been involved in the country’s freedom struggle and has taught at various international universities.

Peter Akinola who was the former Primate of Anglican church in Nigeria, and also the first Archbishop of the Abuja Province. Peter Akinola reached a peak of influence in his theological life which made him listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine around 2006.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun, a famous and influential figure in the nation political purview. He once served as the governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019. One of the greatest feat of Ibikunle Amosun was his transformation of Abeokuta and other areas with road expansions, bridges, education, and housing developments. His lineage has been traced to a Muslim family all the way from Abeokuta. He is also an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (I CAN).
Folake Solanke was born on March 29, 1932. She is a Nigerian lawyer, administrator, and social critic who originated from Abeokuta. She is also the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the first Nigerian female lawyer to wear the silk gown as Senior Counsel. Among her feats is also her acquirement has the first Commissioner of Western State.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs popularly and professionally known as Olu Jacobs, is a Veteran Nigerian actor, producer, movie director, and film executive. This great Abeokuta actor have starred in several British television series and international films. He is undoubtedly considered as one of the most influential African actors of all time.
Ayo Sogunro who is a 21st century Nigerian writer, social critic, and trained lawyer. He is well known for the satirical writings which he use to portay the ugly nature of the country’s politics. He has published several books which include; The Wonderful Life of Senator Boniface and Other Sorry Tales.
Bukky Wright is a prominent Nollywood actress who was born to a Christian father and a Muslim mother in Abeokuta. Since the beginning of her acting career in 1996, she has featured in several Nollywood movies of Yoruba and English languages, including Wale Adenuga’s Television series Super Story.
Adedamola Adefolahan known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer who hails from the city of Abeokuta. He came into limelight after he was signed into YBNL Nation, a record label founded by the Nigerian rapper Olamide. Since then, Fireboy have achieved numerous feats with his music both nationally and internationally.

With the achievements and successes of this prominent figures from the city of Abeokuta, it is truthful to say the city is rich with different dynamics, spanning around arts, politics, culture, literature, and host of other elements of greatness.