Lola fani kayode biography
Home / Celebrity Biographies / Lola fani kayode biography
It’s sad that I was unable to visit him at Magodo. He looked unbelievably frail. They are daughters of Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Zulu, Kikuyu storytellers, and others, weaving rich cultural narratives into global cinema. Its first concert at the upscale Waterparks, Ikeja, Lagos, was unsuccessful because the local Christian community was not ready for such a group and such a performance. In preparation for the show, the choir had rehearsed for several days at the high-profile Master Sound Studio, Obanikoro, Lagos.
We had a phone conversation some weeks ago, and he told me he was returning to his Isolo residence. She gained widespread recognition as the creator and executive producer of Mirror in the Sun, the iconic soap opera that aired from 1984 to 1986. His published play, The Rape of Gidiolu, was performed at MUSON Centre, Lagos, in 2005. Set in upscale Lagos, the show broke new ground by portraying the complexities of Nigerian middle- and upper-class life, with rich dialogue, relatable conflicts, and polished production.
Long before high-quality local drama became mainstream, Lola was already shaping Nigerian television with a modern, socially conscious touch.
He appointed me as the group’s ‘writer,’ a role that brought me into contact with members of the choir, some of whom later became stars, including Sammie Okposo, Yinka Davies, Tunde Obe, Wunmi Aboderin and Zubby Enebeli. In the 1970s, we were both struck by Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, The Godfather, and I started calling him by that nickname. She later produced Mind-Bending, a bold educational series that tackled drug addiction—featuring actors like Joke Silva and Akin Lewis.
He was a stickler for high standards.
Read Also; We’re investing in human capital development, says AbdulRazaq
He was better known as an actor.
The group’s second concert at the same venue was better attended because he collaborated with House on the Rock, the church he attended at the time. It was a massive choir that reflected the size of the founder’s vision.
‘Kazimba’ came before its time.
As we drove back to his residence at Anthony Village, Lagos, he was inconsolable. Women directors continue to face funding biases, tokenism, and the absurd question: “Can you handle a crew?” Yet, history demonstrates that African women excel in the face of adversity.
At our festival, we actively encourage students and emerging female filmmakers by equipping them with tools through various workshops to thrive in a competitive industry.
He directed the play, which is focused on human rights. A recording of the stage performance was screened at the biennial International Council Meeting (ICM) of Amnesty International in Mexico, in August 2005. We reunited in the 1990s after he returned from England, where he had studied film and television production.
He was at the time married to Lola Fani-Kayode, a well-known television producer and director. At different times, he was a member of Winners’ Chapel, Daystar Christian Centre, House on the Rock, World Evangelism Bible Church, and Christ Embassy. He once told me that he would like to meet the biblical Moses, in order to find out from him how he was able to manage the Israelites during their 40-year journey from Egypt to the “promised land” of Canaan.
Whenever I called him a star, he would respond with a chuckle, saying, “Stars are in the sky.” Farewell, Wale, my unforgettable cousin, brother and friend.
I remember one of Wale’s siblings saying jocularly that he acted like a Hollywood impresario.
He wrote plays and songs too. She sought no permission; instead, she ignited a movement.
Following in her footsteps was Amaka Igwe—a titan whose legacy continues to shine brightly in African cinema.