Chief Lanrewaju Adepoju (1940–2023) was a distinguished Yoruba poet, writer, and social critic renowned for his mastery of the "Ewi" genre—traditional Yoruba spoken-word poetry. Born in Abà Òkè Pupa, Oyo State, Nigeria, he was a self-taught intellectual who learned to read and write in both Yoruba and English. Adepoju's evocative performances and recordings from the 1970s to the 1990s captivated audiences, addressing socio-economic, moral, and cultural issues with profound insight. His notable works include the poetry collection "Ìrònú Akéwì" (1972) and the novel "Ládépò Ọmọ Àdánwò" (1975), which was adapted into a film in 2005. A fearless advocate for justice, his politically charged poetry often critiqued governance and societal ills, solidifying his legacy as a voice of conscience in Nigerian literature. ([thenationonlineng.net](https://thenationonlineng.net/olanrewaju-adepoju-1940-2023/?utm_source=openai))