Odunlade Adekola
Social media users have used this period of lockdown to rate and compare their favorite celebrities among which is Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola. The talented actor is one of the popular faces you would see in Yoruba movies today and has been rated by fans as the best ever.
The actor who was in the news sometimes ago for contesting a royal throne in his country home of Otun-Ekiti, Ekiti state is undoubtedly one of the best actors on the screen today. Can he be labelled the best ever is a question that needs to be answered?
Although Odunlade Adekola is from Ekiti state, he was born in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. He was born on the 31st of December 1976. He is multitalented as he is known to be an actor, singer, film-maker, producer, and movie director.
He rose to prominence with his lead role in a Yoruba movie titled ‘Asiri Gomina Wa’ in 2003. He acted in minor roles before then as he featured in ‘Abela Pupa’ by Ebun Oloyede before then. The lanky actor has since acted in multiple Nollywood movies since then.
He is the CEO of Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP) and has released several movies and musical tracks in his name.
He attended St. John’s Primary school and St. Peter’s College in Abeokuta, Ogun state. Having obtained his West African School Certificate Examination, he attended Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, where he received a diploma certificate. He has since received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the University of Lagos.
Many Yoruba actors in the time past has done a lot for the movie industry among which is Hubert Ogunde, Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala, Adelove Afolayan, Alade Aromire and so on. These set of people were involved in the transition of theatre an arts in Nigeria to what we have today.
These set of people had a movement in the movie industry just as we have Fela-Anikulapo- Kuti in the music industry. Hubert Ogunde was known for stage performances; Baba Sala was the king of comedy while Ade Afolayan and Alade Aromire are also pacesetters in the movie industry.
Odunlade Adekola belonged to the new school and can’t be compared with these greats but still deserved a place in the top. He has been consistent since gaining popularity and he’s much talked about today. Many would only want to see a movie he’s been starred.
The 193m tall actor can be seen as the Nigerian version of Eddie Murphy and Will Smith. He’s too versatile to get a mention as the best Yoruba actor ever. Although he is not very popular in the English category of Nollywood, these days, he has got some few shots in the top-rated Nollywood movie industry.
When it comes to meme on social media platforms, Odunlade Adekola stands tall as his height. He is just a delight for young and old. He definitely deserved to be rated as such.
Many other Yoruba actors have made name for themselves in the movie industry. Asides the actresses such as Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Fathia Williams who have done well for themselves too, the male folks have really done well since ages past.
The likes of Adebayo Salami and Jide Kosoko who are fathers of this new generation have done well to deserve a mention. Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo and Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe are another set of top Nollywood Yoruba actors.
When it comes to the generation of Odunlade Adekola, we have the likes of Femi Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Kunle Afolayan, Saheed Balogun, and Ibrahim Shatta as worthy contenders. All these actors capable of contending with Odunlade Adekola but the question is will they beat him to the best Yoruba actor ever is a question that deserves more than an online poll.
You can join in this conversation by sharing with us your best Yoruba actor of all time in the comment section. Thanks for reading this piece.