Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola a.k.a Ireti | One Nigerian Actress That Should Not Be Forgotten In The HISTORY Of Nollywood Film Industry.

Continue To Rest In PEACE Ireti !!!

In the 1990s before the likes of Jenifa and the rest, Nigerian actress, Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola graced the screen of millions across the nation, especially lovers of Yoruba movies. Popularly known as Ireti, she dazzled many with her acting skills until her death on Friday, 27th September, 2002. The following are some of the movies she appeared in:

-IKE OWO

-AGBA AKIN

-OLAONIRAN

-23/24 LORO ILE AYE

-AYE AWA OBINRIN (the last movie she appeared in before her demise)

ALAMU S’ENIYAN

-ENIKAN O LAYE

-EDUNJOBI (brought her to limelight)

-AFINJU ALAPATA

-SIKIRA EREKO

In October 2012, ten years after she died, the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) decided to launch the Ireti Adekola Foundation (IAF) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos to immortalize her name. The foundation was established to take care of single mothers and mentor upcoming and talented actors and actresses.

Ireti was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where she also grew up. She was a producer, film writer, director and an outstanding actress. Unknown to many, her younger relative, Opeyemi (not Odunlade) Adekola is also an actor and was inspired to take to the thespian art because of his late aunty. While speaking with Naijarchives, Mr. Opeyemi Ohiomare Adekola explained that the late Ireti and his own dad were cousins. Mr. Adekola also revealed to us that while both Odunlade Adekola and their family are both from Oyo State, they hail from different parts: Ireti’s own are from Ogbomosho while Odunlade Adekola is from Ibadan. I guess that lays to rest the popular rumour that Odunlade Adekola is Ireti’s younger brother. While an actress, the late Ireti was known for starring in many flicks alongside Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo Omokulodo, also one of Nigeria’s most well-known actors in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood.

Following her death, there was a spontaneous outpouring of grief across the nation. On the 30th September, 2002, her body in a glistening white coffin was on display for her last public appearance at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos before her burial. Ireti mentored many actress in her lifetime, grooming them to become stars in their own right, one of whom is Bisi-Ibidapo Obe aka Omo Logba Logba. Ireti was also the role model for Ibironke Ojo aka Ronke Oshodi-Oke.

HOW DID SHE GET THE NAME ‘IRETI’?

In 1993, Jide Kosoko released a movie titled Asiri Nla and in it, she acted the role of Ireti, and that was how the name stuck.

HER DEATH

Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola died after a brief illness due to some complications suspected to be from typhoid fever. She gave up the ghost at Unity Hospital, a private medical center in Surulere, Lagos State.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES:

1. Agogo Ayo: The Biography of the late Bimpe Adekola Ireti

2. Victola Videos

3. Moviemarkers.net

4. Opeyemi Adekola