BY BABABUNMI AGBEBI
Just like Shakespeare wrote about greatness in one of his classic plays, Macbeth, “Some were born great, while others had greatness thrust upon them”. One thing remains unambiguous about these seven personalities who were either born or lived in Ikeja and made/making waves internationally.
They belong to different categories in the society but are great all the same and are regarded as heroes of Ikeja. Yes, they are great people, great Nigerians.
1. BOLA TINUBU
Bola Ahmed Tinubu was born on March 3, 1952. He is a Nigerian politician who is the 16th president of Nigeria. He was previously the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and senator for Lagos West in the Third Republic. As Senator he represented Lagos west comprising Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Mushin, Ojo, and Oshodi-Isolo. His Constituency is Ikeja Local Government and presently votes at his polling unit in Alausa. A hero you will admit.
2. M.K.O ABIOLA
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State. For the June 12, 1993, presidential elections, Abiola defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers. However, the election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, causing a political crisis which led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year. For many years MKO Abiola lived in Moshood Abiola Crescent, off Toyin Street, in Ikeja, Lagos.
He was arrested inside the house on June 23, 1994 after declaring himself winner of the June 12, 1993 election. Painted all white from the days of Abiola, his residence which sits on an expanse of land in the estate, has separate apartments for Abiola’s four wives. He sadly passed on the day that he was due to be released while meeting a group of American diplomats on July 7,1998. He died a hero!
3. KUDIRAT ABIOLA
Kudirat Abiola was born in 1951 in Zaria in Nigeria. She was the second woman to have married the late MKO Abiola. Her efforts to get her husband out of jail and restore his mandate brought her across the line of Abacha’s military government.
On June 4,1996, Kudirat Abiola was in a white Mercedes Benz driven by her driver, Dauda Atanda, and accompanied by her special assistant, Lateef Shofolahan. Around 9.30 am, as her car slowed down on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway past the 7-Up bus stop on Oregun Road in Ikeja, two cars double-crossed them and six heavily armed men opened fire on Kudirat Abiola’s car. She was rushed to the Eko Hospital on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Lagos where she eventually died between 12.15 and 12.30 pm.
4. MOJEED BALOGUN
Mojeed Balogun was born to the family of Balogun in Isale Awori in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State. He was the Secretary, Revenue Monitoring Committee, Ikeja Local Government in 2003, appointed as Supervisory Councillor for Works and Housing, Ikeja Local Government, 2004-2007, elected as Vice Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State 2008-2014 and Executive Chairman, Ikeja Local Government 2017 to date.
5. GBADEBO RHODES-VIVOUR
Gbadebo Chinedu Rhodes-Vivour also known as GRV, was born March 8, 1983. He is a Nigerian architect, entrepreneur and politician. He was the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Lagos State in the 2023 gubernatorial election where he finished runner-up. Rhodes-Vivour was born on Lagos Island but grew up in Ikeja, both in Lagos State.
He attended Chrisland Schools, up to JSS3, and then proceeded to Paris to attend École Active Bilingue, where he completed his secondary education. He has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from University of Nottingham and a master’s degree in the same field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Rhodes-Vivour is from a family of lawyers.
6. FELA ANIKULAPOKUTI
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and activist whose life and death was riddled with a lot of controversies. Also known as “Abami Eda,” Fela used the lyrical content of his music to criticize Military rulers, particularly Olusegun Obasanjo. On February 18, 1977, Fela’s home, Kalakuta republic in Yaba, was burned to the ground by 1,000 armed soldiers.
The music hero rebuilt the Kalakuta Republic in Ikeja after the destruction. It isn’t far from the Fela Shrine, 7 Gbemisola street, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos.
In 2012, Babatunde Fashola, the Governor of Lagos, began an initiative to rebuild the compound and turn it into a museum. The Kalakuta Republic Museum, Ikeja officially opened on October 15, 2012. It contains displays of Fela’s clothing, instruments and artwork, as well as a restaurant and hotel.
7. DJ CUPPY
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola born November 11 1992, professionally known as DJ Cuppy or simply Cuppy. She is a Nigerian disc jockey, musician and producer. She is the daughter of Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola. She grew up in Ikeja Lagos and moved to London at the age of 13. Cuppy lived in Ilupeju for six years before moving to Ikeja where she attended Grange School, Ikeja. She then relocated to London for her GCSEs and A-Levels.
All these personalities-present or past- are regarded as heroes of Ikeja.
