Kofoworola Ademola facts for kids

Kofoworola "Kofo" Aina Ademola, also known as Lady Ademola, was a very important Nigerian educator and writer. She was born on May 21, 1913, and passed away on May 15, 2002. She made history by becoming the first black African woman to graduate from Oxford University in England.

Lady Ademola was also the first president of the National Council of Women's Societies in Nigeria. She led this important women's group from 1958 to 1964. She also wrote several children's books.

Early Life and Education

Kofo Ademola was born into a well-known family in Lagos, Nigeria. Her father, Eric Olawolu Moore, was a lawyer from a royal family. Her mother, Aida Arabella, had some Cherokee ancestry. Kofo was a cousin to Oyinkan, Lady Abayomi, and a niece to Oloori Charlotte Obasa.

She spent her childhood partly in Lagos and partly in the United Kingdom. Kofo went to school at C.M.S. Girls School in Lagos. Later, she studied at Vassar College in New York and Portway College in Reading, England.

From 1931 to 1935, she attended St Hugh's College at Oxford University. There, she earned a degree in education and English. While at Oxford, she wrote a 21-page story about her own life. She did this to help challenge wrong ideas that British people had about Africans. She explained that her childhood mixed both Western and African ways of life.

Kofo said she didn't face much open racism in Britain. However, she found it annoying when people treated her like a "strange object." She didn't like it when they were surprised she could speak English or wear English clothes. She just wanted to be seen as a normal person.

After finishing her studies, Kofo returned to Nigeria in 1935. She started working as a teacher at Queens College in Lagos. She also joined women's groups like the YWCA.

Family Life

In 1939, Kofo married Adetokunbo Ademola, who worked for the government. They had five children together. Her husband was a Yoruba prince, so Kofo was known as Lady Ademola. This was because her husband was also given a special honor called a knighthood.

Her husband's job meant the family moved often. They lived in Warri and later in Ibadan. In each city, Kofo connected with local women's groups.

A book about Kofoworola Aina Ademola, called Portrait of a Pioneer, was published in 1996. It was written by Gbemi Rosiji.

Career and Contributions

While living in Warri, Lady Ademola was part of a women's reading group. She also taught at Warri College. When she moved to Ibadan, she became friends with other important women leaders. These included Elizabeth Adekogbe and Tanimowo Ogunlesi.

Lady Ademola helped bring different women's groups together. In 1958, these groups formed the National Council of Women's Societies. She was chosen as its very first president. As president, she also became a board member of the International Council of Women.

Besides her leadership roles, Lady Ademola was also a social worker and a teacher. She helped start two schools for girls in Lagos:

• Girls Secondary Modern School
• New Era Girls' Secondary School

She also served on the board of trustees for the United Bank for Africa. She was also the secretary for the Western Region Scholarship Board.

Lady Ademola was a talented writer, especially for children. She wrote many books based on West African folk tales. These books were part of a series called "Mudhut Book." Some of her popular titles include:

• Greedy Wife and the Magic Spoon
• Ojeje Trader and the Magic Pebbles
• Tutu and the Magic Gourds
• Tortoise and the Clever Ant

Recognition and Honors

Lady Ademola received several important awards for her work. In 1959, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She received this award from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

The Nigerian government also honored her. She was given the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Lady Ademola also held traditional Nigerian chieftaincy titles. She was known as the Mojibade of Ake and the Lika of Ijemo.