Joseph Folahan Odunjo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Folahan Odunjo
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1904 Abeokuta, Nigeria |
| Died | 1980 (aged 75–76) |
| Occupation |
|
| Alma mater | London Institute of Education |
| Period | 1943–1970s |
| Genre | Yoruba language Children's literature: |
| Notable works |
|
Chief Joseph Folahan Odunjo (born 1904, died 1980) was an important Nigerian writer, teacher, and politician. He is famous for writing many books for children in the Yoruba language. He was also known as a Chief.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Odunjo was born in 1904 in a place called Ibara, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He went to school at St Augustine's Primary School in Abeokuta. He also studied at the Catholic Higher Elementary Training School. Later, he attended the London Institute of Education in England.
Teaching and Writing Career
Mr. Odunjo started his teaching career in 1924. He worked as a schoolmaster at the Catholic Training College in Ibadan. From 1927, he became the headmaster of his old school, St Augustine's in Abeokuta.
As a teacher, he helped create the Federal Association of Catholic Teachers. This group worked to help teachers talk with the Catholic missions about their needs. He was a teacher and headmaster at different Catholic schools from the 1940s to the 1950s.
His written works from 1958 were some of the first books written in the Yoruba language. He wrote many novels, plays, poems, and textbooks in Yoruba. His books later inspired many other writers. He also helped with the Yoruba Orthography Committees in 1966 and 1969. These committees helped set the rules for how the Yoruba language should be written. He was also part of the Nigeria Union of Teachers for several years.
Political Life and Achievements
In 1951, Joseph Odunjo became a politician. He won a seat in the Western House of Assembly. This was like a parliament for the Western part of Nigeria. He then became the first minister of Land and Labour for that region.
He was also the president of the Egbado Union. This group worked for the people of the Egbado area. He was given a special traditional title called the Asiwaju of Egbaland. This is a high chieftaincy title, showing he was a respected leader.
Chief Odunjo passed away in 1980.
Selected Works
Joseph Odunjo wrote many different types of books.
Poetry Collections
- Ise ni Ogun Ise (This means "Work is the antidote for poverty")
- Toju Iwa re Oremi (This means "Watch your behaviour, my friend")
- Akójopò ewì alâdùn (Published in 1961)
Novels
- Omo oku orun (Published in 1964; this means "The deceased woman's daughter")
- Kuye (Published in 1978)
Textbooks
- Aláwìíyé Yoruba Readers (Published in 1975; this was a series of books to help children and adults learn to read Yoruba)
