Tokunbo Awolowo: A 10th Birthday Celebration in Ibadan, 1958
In 1958, Tokunbo Awolowo, daughter of Nigerian statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, celebrated her 10th birthday at the family residence in Oke Bola, Ibadan.
The celebration brought together her classmates from the U.M.C. Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan, preserving a glimpse of childhood friendships in the city during the late 1950s.
In the photograph, Tokunbo is surrounded by some of her classmates and friends. Standing immediately to her right is Femi Omololu Thomas, née Omo Ogunkoya. To her immediate left is Fola Oduba, née Ososami, whose face is not visible in the photograph.
Next to Fola is Bola Adetula, née JFK Osibodu. Seated nearby are Joko Olunloyo, née Majekodunmi, Taiwo Imokhuede, née Tubi, Dr Mrs Femi Ogunsanya, née Aiyela, and Miss Taiwo Opanubi, whose married name is not known.
A young girl with braided hair in the photograph could not be identified.
Beyond the birthday celebration, the photograph provides a glimpse into the social world of young Nigerians growing up in Ibadan during a period of significant change. Some of those pictured would later build careers and make their own contributions to Nigerian society.
More than six decades later, the photograph remains a charming record of childhood, friendship and family life in Ibadan in the late 1950s.
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