marvrick: I'm 49yrs old this month but I can still remember his sweet voice singing "We've come to say hello, we've come to say hello, Mr lion, Mr tortoise, Mr snake and Mr mouse is come to say hello" or so it goes. That children's program was one of my best apart from tom and Jerry. Rest in peace legend!
That's Uncle Wole of Animal Games, not Uncle Jimi Solanke.
Someone is actually asking how will this put food on the table.
As if the construction will not provide jobs for lots of construction workers, as if the train drivers, conductors, Cowrie Card sellers, etc are not human beings, as if it won't provide faster travel for workers so that they'll be at their jobs on time!
Meanwhile the governor has gone to get more rolling stock.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu
I visited the headquarters of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation in Dalian, China to finalize discussions with the company's top management regarding the purchase of additional rolling stock for the Blue and Red Rail Line Projects.
During the meeting, I expressed our commitment to reducing traffic congestion in line with our developmental agenda and emphasised our focus on deploying modern technology in infrastructural development. This highlights the importance of collaboration for knowledge and skill transfer.
Lagos MetropolitanArea Transport Authority LAMATA @Lamataonline
From the horizon emerges one of the Red Line sets just ahead of the launch of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line infrastructure. #LAMATA #keepingLagosmoving #LASG #Agreaterlagosisrising
He sang, he told stories, he acted on TV, he acted on stage, he acted in movies, he wrote and recited poems, there was nothing that he couldn't do.
He had a children's show on Saturdays on LTV 8 in the 1980s and he had another children's show on the NTA in the 1990s (I think it was called Storyland). He told stories to children on both programmes.
Here he is singing Tunji Oyelana's classic song Mo Lo S'Oko at the Wole Soyinka Theatre.
According to news reaching INDEPENDENT Newspapers, the 82 year old dramatist, folk singer, plawright and poet passed on in the early hours of today, Monday, February 5 after a brief illness. He died en route the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
Born on July 4, 1942, in Ipara Remo, Jimi Solanke’s artistic journey began as a pioneer member of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by the renowned Wole Soyinka, in 1961. His contributions to the global entertainment industry spanned seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on various platforms, from the Western Nigeria Television in the 1960s to international festivals in Senegal and Algeria during the 1970s.
Solanke’s versatility shone through in epic performances such as “Death and the King’s Horseman,” “Kurunmi,” “Kongi’s Harvest,” “The Divorce,” and “Ovaramwen Nogbaisi.”
His captivating stagecraft and theatrical brilliance earned him accolades and recognition, both locally and internationally.
The Oxford Times hailed him as a “Skilled Nigerian Actor,” and the New York Times recognised him as the star of an “Excellent Troupe” during a performance of Wole Soyinka’s “Kongi’s Harvest.”
Affectionately known as Baba Agba, Solanke was more than just an actor; he was a consummate quintessential songwriter, performer, visual artist, and storyteller extraordinaire.
Described as “a better singer than an actor” by those who witnessed his enchanting performances, he often referred to himself as an “actor-singer,” seamlessly merging his acting prowess with musical delivery.
His impact extended beyond the stage and screen, as Solanke was the Founder and Artistic Director of Ibudo Asa in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria.
He leaves behind a legacy that transcends borders, resonating in the hearts of those who had the privilege to witness his artistry.
Jimi Solanke is survived by his wife, Chief Mrs. Toyin Solanke, and his passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian entertainment, leaving a void that will be felt for years to come.
The cultural ambassador extraordinaire has left an indomitable imprint on the history of African arts and will be remembered for his contributions to the enrichment of the nation’s cultural heritage.
One of the reasons that the fans liked Oshoala was because she was very patient with them. Here she was leaving Barcelona on her last day and fans besieged her for jerseys, photographs and autographs and she patiently obliged. A Nigerian joked that the only thing left for them to take was her car.
The message was played on the big screen in the stadium.
(The fan with the Nigerian jersey is a committed fan of Oshoala. He often asked her for jerseys and souvenirs to the extent that she started sending them to him even before he could ask).
Oshoala recorded a video message to Barcelona fans. She said:
Hola Cules, I just want to use this opportunity to say thank you very much for the past five years. I appreciate everything, I love you all and I'm going to miss you all for sure, but of course I'm going to be coming, watching some games and supporting Barcelona and good luck for the rest of the season. I love you all.
Fans of FC Barcelona Femeni paid tribute to Asisat Oshoala with a moment of applause in the 20th minute of their match against Huelva yesterday. Asisat wore the number 20 jersey at Barcelona.
SUSPENSION OF RE-RUN ELECTIONS IN ENUGU SOUTH, KUNCHI/TSANYAWA AND TWO POLLING UNITS IN IKONO/INI
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials. The affected areas are as follows:
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State
Suspension of elections in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.
Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State
Suspension of elections in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.
Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State
Suspension of elections in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.
The decision of the Commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. Further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commission's meeting on Monday.
INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the Commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials.
Sam Olumekun mni National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Saturday 3rd February 2024