The Great Ewi Icon, Olanrewaju Adepoju Dies At 83
Posted on December 13, 2023
BIMBO ESHO
Some people are naturally gifted with special skills. Chief Olanrewaju Adepoju, the great Ewi Exponent, falls into this category. He was a product of self discovery and development , aided by an unrelenting search for knowledge.
It is amazing that books written by this man who never saw the four walls of any classroom be it Primary, Secondary or Tertiary have had great influence on contemporary yoruba poetry and today used in different institutions.
This great Ewi exponent was not only versed in the proficiency of Yoruba language but also his use of English was topnotch.
Olanrewaju Adepoju was 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 Olanrewaju Adepoju was a force to be reckoned with as many of his songs centered 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 musicals forms for posterity.
He will forever be remembered for his contribution to poetry in Nigeria.
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