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Some Interesting facts about the Yoruba Tribe. .
The documented history begins when Oranyan came to rule the Oyo Empire, which became dominant in the early 17th century. The older traditions of the formerly dominant Ile-Ife kingdom are largely oral.
Yorubaland (Yoruba: Ilẹ̀ Káàárọ̀-Oòjíire) is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of 142,114 km2 or about 60% of the land area of Ghana. Of this land area, 106,016 km2 (74.6%) lies within Nigeria, 18.9% in Benin, and the remaining 6.5% is in Togo. Prior to European
BELOW ARE SOME AMAZING FACTS ABOUT YORUBA
The first Nigerian Medical Doctor was Nathaniel Thomas King. His father was Rev Thomas King who assisted Bishop Ajayi Crowder in translating the Bible to Yoruba language. Dr King lived from 1847to 1884 to 188
The Yoruba language is the Niger-Congo language with the largest number of native speakers in the world, 50 million people speak Yoruba language natively in 2022 according to Ethnologue.
The first Nigerian Lawyer was Chief Sapara Williams. A Yoruba man who became a Lawyer in 1879. He was the Lodifi of Ilesa.
WNTV Ibadan was the first TV station in Nigeria and Africa. The first broadcast was aired on October 31, 1959. The government of Yorubaland were visionary enough ensuring their denizens had access to mass audiovisual media before countries like; Egypt: 1960, New Zealand: 1960, Israel: 1966 & South Africa: 1976. The station played a significant role in beaming taped Yoruba traveling theatre productions to households all over the old Western region.
The first Nigerian to release a music album was Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti, Fela Anikulapo’s grandfather and Wole Soyinka’s great grandfather. He released it in 1878 and his last album was released in August 1921. His works are still kept at the British Museum.
In 1894, Olayinka Herbert Macaulay became the first trained Nigerian Engineer. He also trained in England as an Architect. He was a Civil Engineer. He later ventured into politics and formed the first political party in Nigeria, Nigeria National Democratic Party, NNDP in 1923 and later the NCNC, the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons. He was also a Journalist and a Surveyor. He is widely considered as the founder of Nigerian Nationalism.
The first Nigerian woman to qualify and practice law was Stella Thomas, a Yoruba woman who became a Lawyer in 1935 and also became the first female magistrate in Nigeria in 1943.
Dr Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi nee Akerele was the first female physician in Nigeria. She became a Medical Doctor in 1910.
Folake Solanke was the first female Senior Advocate in Nigeria. She was also the first Nigerian female lawyer to wear the silk gown as Senior Counsel.
The first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria was Sir Adetokunbo Ademola. He was also the longest serving Chief Justice of Nigeria between 1958 and 1972.
The Yoruba language and culture is one of the most influential on the African continent and in the Americas. The Yoruba are also one of the best researched ethnicities in Africa.
Chief Akintola Williams was the first Chattered Accountant in Nigeria who qualified in 1919 and also the first Nigerian to form a private accounting firm, Akintola Williams and Co in 1952.
The first woman to drive a car in Nigeria was Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the mother of Olikoye, Fela and Beko.
The Yoruba people have the highest spontaneous rate of twin births in the world- About 1 in 20 births. Twins were traditionally revered and highly sought after in Yoruba society. There is an Orisha that protects them.
Emmanuel Olatunde Odeku (born, Emanuel Olatunde Alaba Olanrewaju Odeku from Awe in Oyo state 1927, Lagos, Nigeria – died, London, 1974) was the first African neurosurgeon trained in the United States who also pioneered neurosurgery in Africa.
Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde and Moses Olaiya are regarded as the patriarchs of Nigerian theatre and movie industry. Ogunde was an actor, playwright, theatre manager, and musician who founded the first contemporary professional theatrical company in Nigeria, the African Music Research Party, in 1945.
The first bank in Nigeria was established in Lagos in 1894, 10 years before the amalgamation. Its second branch was opened in Calabar in 1912 and it was facilitated by King Jaja of Opobo. It had its first northern branch in Zaria.
It is First Bank Nigeria.
The Yoruba homeland, based majorly in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, is home to more than 70% of Nigeria’s industrial capacity and is also host to the backbone of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
In 1986, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, the great grandson of Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti became the first African to win a Nobel Laureate in the field of Literature.
In 1976, Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC of Ibadan formerly known as WNDC Ibadan (Western Nigeria Development Company), and were later called IICC (Industrial Investment and Credit Corporation) won the African Winners’ Cup thereby becoming the first Nigerian club side to win continental honour for Nigeria.
The first Nigerian to score a World Cup goal was Rashidi Yekini. He was a Yoruba man from Kwara state. He scored it against Bulgaria at USA ‘94.
The area of Yorubaland covers approximately 145,000 Suare Kilometre of land. Were it to be an independent country, it would be physically bigger than Greece, Hungary, Serbia, South Korea, Portugal, Ireland, Sierra Leone and many more countries.
The first television station in Africa was the Western Nigerian Television Service located in Ibadan’s and established in 1959.
The first university in Nigeria is University of Ibadan. Today, the Southwestern part of Nigeria also has the highest number of private universities in Nigeria.
The Yoruba are a people with a historical propensity for living in large urban centres. Yoruba cities have always been among the most populous in Africa. Today, around 11.5% of all West Africans are ethnic Yoruba while Yorubaland contains more than 30% of all Nigerian cities with over 100,000 people. They have been described as the most Urban African ethnic group by various ethnologists, sociologists and anthropologic writers.
CMS Grammar School, Lagos is the oldest secondary school in Nigeria. It was established in 1859.
And the first known primary school in Nigeria was Nursery of the Infant Church established in 1843 in Badagry and moved to its permanent site and renamed St Thomas Primary School in 1845.
The ancient town of Ilesa came alive on Saturday as eminent personalities from across Nigeria converged on the Ijesa Sports Club premises to witness the historic investiture of Otunba Jare Ayo-Martins as the 18th President of the Ijesa Sports Club for the 2026–2028 tenure.
The colourful ceremony attracted an impressive gathering of traditional rulers, political office holders, business leaders, professionals, club members, friends, and well-wishers, all of whom turned out in large numbers to celebrate the new president and usher in a new chapter in the club’s illustrious history.
The event, which formed part of the club’s annual investiture ceremony, also featured the induction of His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, as the Grand Patron of the club.
New patrons and members were equally invested, while deserving individuals received awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society. A fundraising session was also held to support the club’s developmental projects.
Delivering the welcome address, Chairman of the 2026 Investiture Planning Committee, Hon. Kenneth Opebiyi, described the occasion as a historic and epoch making event in the annals of the Ijesa Sports Club, established in 1977.
He warmly welcomed the royal father, distinguished guests, patrons, trustees, award recipients, community leaders, and members, expressing appreciation for their overwhelming support and presence, which added prestige and grandeur to the ceremony.
Hon. Opebiyi noted that beyond the investiture of a new president, the event celebrated excellence, visionary leadership, selfless service, and commitment to community development.
He urged guests and stakeholders to support the transformation agenda of the new administration under the leadership of Otunba Jare Ayo-Martins.
According to him, the administration has outlined ambitious plans, including the construction of a standard lawn tennis court and the upgrading of existing sporting and recreational facilities to modern standards, calling on members and philanthropists to partner with the club in achieving these developmental goals.
He also commended members of the Investiture Planning Committee, the Executive Committee, Trustees, Patrons, and the entire membership of the club for their dedication and teamwork, which ensured the successful organisation of the event.
The investiture ceremony concluded on a high note with goodwill messages, networking, entertainment, and renewed optimism that the administration of Otunba Jare Ayo-Martins will strengthen the legacy of the Ijesa Sports Club and further promote unity, sports development, and community advancement across Ijesaland.
*© Surrealistic Media Group*
Renowned Juju music virtuoso and master guitarist, Ambassador Seun Marcus, popularly known as The Guitar Craftsman, has continued to reinforce his place as one of the leading ambassadors of contemporary Juju music following his recent visit to Nigeria, where he embarked on an extensive media tour and delivered memorable live performances.
The Edo State-born musician, who is based in Maryland, United States, made notable appearances on veteran broadcast journalist Sean Polotee’s award-winning radio programmes, Deflower Your Mind and Máágbọ̀n on Miliki FM.
During the engaging sessions, Ambassador Seun Marcus took listeners through his inspiring musical journey, highlighting decades of dedication to the Juju music genre and his commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage.
One of the major highlights of his Nigerian visit was his electrifying performance at Ileya Fiesta, a music and cultural event packaged by Surrealistic Media Group.
The event saw him thrill fans and music lovers alongside celebrated Juju maestros Aṣíwájú Dele Taiwo and Champion Kunle Opio, with the trio amongst others delivering captivating performances that left the audience yearning for more.
Speaking during his radio interviews, Ambassador Seun Marcus reflected on his longstanding relationship and memorable experiences with legendary music icons, including Rare Admiral Dele Abiodun (Adawa Super), King Sunny Ade, Sir Victor Olaiya, Segun Adewale,
I.K. Dairo,
Folly Peperempe and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, among other distinguished figures whose influence has shaped his remarkable career.
Widely regarded as a music encyclopedia and passionate custodian of authentic African sounds, the ace guitarist disclosed that he is currently working on a fresh collection of songs carefully crafted to blend the timeless appeal of Juju music with today’s evolving musical trends.
According to him, the forthcoming releases are expected to resonate with both longtime lovers of Juju music and a new generation of listeners across the globe.
As the leader of The Peak Stars International, Ambassador Seun Marcus has distinguished himself through a unique musical style that fuses traditional African rhythms with elements of jazz, blues and rock, creating an exciting and refreshing Juju sound that continues to earn admiration both at home and abroad.
Among his notable singles are “Kama Seru Ẹgbẹ́,” “Odale Sha Láiyé,” and “Oromi Tí Dayo,” all of which are currently available for streaming and download across major digital and social media platforms.
Music enthusiasts can also enjoy some of his performances via
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/MAEq-I8ad8Q?si=mQBfNX1R21aMsG5c
https://youtu.be/tv1SawE2pRA?si=cyKyphppwArAefOh
For bookings, concerts, festivals, private events and other performance engagements, contact:
Ambassador Seun Marcus (The Guitar Craftsman)
7016 Palamar Turn, Lanham, MD 20706, USA
Phone: +1 240 291 3044
Email:
*© Surrealistic Media Group*
One of Nollywood’s finest, Halima Abubakar has announced her conversion from Islam to Christianity, dedicating her life to serve Jesus Christ after she was divinely healed from a mysterious ailment that held her down for nine years.
She is set to give an open testimony of her miraculous healing, the untold story behind her ailment, and how God intervened, using the Queen Belemzy Ministries (School of Power) to bring her back on her feet.
Abubakar’s official testimony was part of the activities lined up for the Queen Belemzy Ministries programme tagged Holy Ghost Revival, at Merit House, Maitama Abuja last Saturday 4 July 2026.
The multiple award-winning actress stated: “I’m a brand new person now. I have given my life to Christ. I want to serve God because He has helped me. I almost died. They almost killed me. This is not about movies; this is about restoration and testimony. Halima Abubakar is back, big and better.”
Abubakar reminisced that the first time Apostle Queen Belemzy called her on the phone, “I was somehow rude to her because of my mood then, but she still went ahead to pray with me over the phone. I later felt the impact of her prayers regarding my health, so I started searching for her number via my Whatsapp calls. I eventually got in touch with her, she continued to pray with me and God took control of everything through her.
”Right now, I’m ready to serve God because He wants me to serve Him. He has delivered me, so I need to serve Him and preach His gospel to the people,” Abubakar concluded.
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