TOYIN ADEGBOLA: MEET THE LEGEND @ 62

 

TOYIN ADEGBOLA

MEET THE LEGEND @ 62

Toyin Adegbola, popularly known as Toyin Asewo to re Universe is a Nigerian film actress, producer and director. Toyin has created a niche for herself, not only in the Theater Industry but also in many facets of life. Toyin is an online social influencer and a motivational speaker. Mrs Adegbola takes special interest in helping the youth achieve their dreams.

On her sixty-second birthday, we had a chance to meet the real person behind the quintessential thespian.

Victoria Oluwatoyin Oluwaremilekun was born on 28^th of December 1961 in Offa, Kwara state to the family of late Pa Joshua Babatope, a retired civil servant who worked with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, and late Mrs Janet Babatope who was a trader.

Toyin Adegbola clocks 62 on Thursday 28th December 2023

Toyin grew up the fourth child of twelve. (Five brothers and Six sisters)

As a child, the theatre giant was a pampered child, brilliant but very troublesome.

Toyin Babatope started her education at Wesley Methodist primary School, Offa in Kwara state.

She remembers some of her school mates in Offa. They were

• ·        Alhaja Sifawu
• ·        Deaconess Motunde,
• ·        Hon. Dr Gbenga Afeni
• ·        Deaconess Florence
• ·        Alhaja Amoke

For her secondary education, our legend attended Erin Ile secondary school, Erin Ile Kwara State.

Toyin’s flare for the theatre arts and acting started showing at this level. She participated actively in school drama and cultural activities despite being academically Science oriented. She did well on both counts.

Some of her contemporaries in Secondary School were:

• ·        Alh Bashiru Sodeinde
• ·        Mrs Bunmi Sagunna Balogun
• ·        Pastor Iku
• ·        Pastor John Adebayo
• ·        Deaconess Wemimo Oyawoye
• ·        Ms Bukola Arojojoye
• ·        Retired General Jubril Sogbola
• ·        Alhaja Idayat Afolabi.

Toyin proceeded to Technical College, Oshogbo to study Electrical/Electronics Engineering. Yes the one they call Elect/Elect.

At the Technical College, Oshogbo with Toyin were

• ·        Engr. Oni
• ·        Alhaja Romoke
• ·        Mrs Idowu Falana
• ·        Mrs Bola Adeyemo
• ·        Alh Adeyeye
• ·        Engr. Pius Babawale
• ·        Deaconess Lydia  Oparinde
• ·        Dr. Sam Olayinka
• ·        Mr Adeniyi Folorunso
• ·        Mr Jinmi Makinde
• ·        Alhaja Mulikat

The then Miss Babatope was employed in the Engineering Department of the Television Service of Oyo State (TSOS) now Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in 1982. For ten years Toyin worked as an engineer in the broadcast house. She left BCOS in 1982.

While employed at the Television House in Ibadan, Toyin met her late husband Mr. Anthony Kolawole Adegbola, a journalist. Mr. Adegbola was employed at NTA Lagos at the time. She later got married to Anthony who passed away subsequently. Late Tony Adegbola hailed from Ibadan and their marriage was blessed with lovely, successful children.

On acting as a career, Toyin said “I have been an actor since my childhood, representing my church and schools. I was part of Oyo State Festival of Arts and Culture 1978 in Old Oyo state. Opting for Theatre instead of Engineering was because of my passion for acting and God decision on my journey.”

On the Theatre Industry then and now, Adegbola said “Then, we had passion, love, and dedication. we were not  doing it for money; but now most are in the industry because of money, fame and the papprazzi.”

Her all-time best film is “Mayowa”.

Her Happiest moment was when her first child got admitted to secondary school.

“My saddest day was when I lost my husband”, she said.

“What makes me happy most is helping people and yielding results. I always love to make people happy.”

 

OPTICAL FILMS FEATURED IN

• ·        Ija Orogun  1981 by Late Yemi Afolayan (Ade Love)
• ·        Ejo n’gboro 1982 by Alagba Tubosun Odunsi
• ·        Kannakanna  1985 by Belton Films
• ·        Iwa  1987 by Mainframe Productions
• ·        Emi iba je Adam  1988 by late Elder Moses Adejumo (Baba Sala)

 

 SOME FILMS PRODUCED WITH DATES

• ·        Iyawo Alagadagodo 1998
• ·        Jenrola 1999
• ·        Mayowa 2000
• ·        Subuola 2000
• ·        Ojo Idajo 2001
• ·        Ibi Aiye Bamide 2003
• ·        Olori Oko 2004
• ·        Afoju lofin 2006
• ·        Keshin Loro 2006
• ·        Omoge America 2009
• ·        Ijo Nla 2010
• ·        Agbomola 2015
• ·        Educate Girl Child 2015
• ·        Mama kowope
• ·        Oja ale
• ·        Iya adura

 

OTHER FILMS PARTICIPATED IN

• ·        Ajoke Asewo To Re Mecca
• ·        Koseegbe
• ·        Agbara Obirin
• ·        Okini Bashorun Gaa
• ·        Sawo segberi
• ·        Akinkanju
• ·        Akobi Gomina
• ·        Toyin Tomato
• ·        Mama Commander
• ·        Iyawo Oni Goolu
• ·        Alaga Opo
• ·        Ladepo Omo Adanwo
• ·        Omo Tee
• ·        Ipako Elede
• ·        Imole A Tan
• ·        Eleri ipin
• ·        Esin (Religion)
• ·        Asale
• ·        Baba d Barber
• ·        Apo iya
• ·        Ise buruku
• ·        Akamara
• ·        Baba jaiye jaiye
• ·        Ile olorogun
• ·        Pa mo eti
• ·        Reflections
• ·        Adetutu alapadede
• ·        Campus queen
• ·        Digital tongues
• ·        Afowo fa
• ·        The boss

 

MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATIONS

• ·        Member, GMB Support Group Osun State Chapter
• ·        Member, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN)
• ·        Honorary member of Rotary club Ibadan
• ·        Ladies League of Nigeria
• ·        Supreme Sisters of Nigeria
• ·        Member, Eko Club Chicago USA
• ·        Member, Ijesa Club New York USA
• ·        Golden Mothers International

 

SOME AWARDS WITH DATES

Toyin Adegbola has been a recipient of many awards. Some of them are:

• ·        Afro Hollywood Award 1998
• ·        Thema Award 2000
• ·        Thema Award 2001
• ·        Best Actress Award (Osun State) 2004
• ·        Afro Dublin Movie Award 2004
• ·        Bonafide World Super Star 2006
• ·        Osun State Merit Award 2006
• ·        Afrcan Movie Award 2009
• ·        Rotary Club of Ibadan Honourary Award 2011
• ·        City People Entertainment Award 2011
• ·        Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes Award 2011
• ·        Evergreen Talent Award (ODU THEME) 2012
• ·        Hi Nolly Yoruba Best Actress Award 2012
• ·        African Magic Idan Irawo Award 2012
• ·        APC Canada Chapter Award of Excellence 2015
• ·        Impeccable First Eye Award of Recognition Dallas USA 2015
• ·        City Award as Nollywood Icon     2017
• ·        Special Movie Matriarch Award from City People in recognition of remarkable contribution to the Movie Industry 2018

• ·        Merit Award OF Excellence from TAMPAN as De-Theatre Icon    2018
• ·        Award of Excellence from YATNIY Communication International of Canada as Mother of Culture   2018
• ·        Afro Heritage Broadcasting Entertainment Award (AHBEA) as an icon of the Movie Industry            2018
• ·        Award of Excellence by Golden Mercury International Entertainment as International Theatre Ambassador 2019
• ·        Honorary Award from female hall of residence, Federal Polytechnic, Ede for motherly support towards their 26^th Anniversary     2019
• ·        Methodist Church of Nigeria in appreciation of commitment and dedication to the service of God as the Harvest Committee Chairperson 2019
• ·        Award of Excellence from ORO TO N LO family for the Best Women Empowerment for Sustainable Development of Yoruba Culture         2021
• ·        Ambassadorial Award from Imeko in recognition of contribution towards Celestial Church of Christ Imeko Convocation committee        2021
• ·        SOLACE Award as most influential actress of the year         2021
• ·       CERTIFICATE OF HONOUR as Grand Mentor of The City of Talents Worldwide 2022
• ·        Great SBJ OSHOFFA (DIAMOND) Award of Excellence from ITEDO OLUWA MODEL PARISH for contribution, unrelenting efforts and all-time support for the growth of the church, and always going above and beyond the call of duty  2022
• ·        The Oodua Special Recognition Awards (OSRA)      2022
• ·        Special recognition from COK Media for outstanding contribution to the Movie sector     2022
• ·        Entertainment Icon Award from Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo

Toyin recently bagged a Doctorate Degree from the Christ Proclaimer Theological Seminary USA.