Olanrewaju Adepoju dies in Ibadan

Olanrewaju Adepoju, a practitioner of ancient Yoruba poetry known as ewi, has passed away.

The broadcaster and performance poet died in his Idi Orogbo residence off Ring Ring Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

He was 83.

“Inna lilahi Wa innaa ilaehi Roojiuuna.

“My Dad Olanrewaju Adepoju Rest in Peace, his son Adejare Adepoju wrote in a Facebook message on Sunday night.

An obituary posted by the deceased’s family on his Facebook page reads: With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our dear Father, Chief Mas’ud Olanrewaju Adepoju. From Allah we come and unto Him we shall all return.

“Final prayers will be held for Baba tomorrow Monday, by 11 in the morning, at UMB Central Mosque, Old Ife Road, Gate Ibadan.

“May Almighty Allah grant our father the highest elevation in Paradise, Jannatu Firdaus!”

One of his most popular albums is Iku Awolowo, a tribute to Obafemi Awolowo released after the Yoruba leader’s death in 1987.

The B side of the album has ‘Ni Bo La N Lo (Ijoba Babangida)’ a protest against then military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida.