Ladipo Solanke

**Ladipo Solanke** (c. 1886 &ndash; 2 September 1958) na he be a political activist dem born insyd Nigeria wey campaign on West African issues.

## Biography

### Birth den education
Na dem born am insyd Abeokuta, Nigeria, as **Oladipo Felix Solanke**, na he study at de Fourah Bay College insyd Sierra Leone before he move go study law at University College, London, insyd 1922.

Insyd Britain, na Solanke join de Union of Students of African Descent. Insyd 1924, na he wrep to *West Africa* make he complain about an article insyd de *Evening News*, wich na dem claim dat na cannibalism den black magic be common insyd Nigeria til recent years. Na ein protest receive de support of Amy Ashwood Garvey, wey cam be a close paddie, while na Solanke begin dey study British papers give oda derogatory reports.

### Teaching
Dey find einself he dey live insyd poverty, na Solanke begin dey teach Yoruba wey na he vex by de lack of interest insyd traditional Nigerian culture among oda Nigerian students insyd London. Insyd June 1924, na he cam be de first person to broadcast on de radio insyd Yoruba. De month wey dey follow, plus Garvey ein encouragement, na Solanke den twelve oda students found de Nigeria Progress Union make dem promote de welfare of Nigerian students.

Insyd 1925, na Solanke den Herbert Bankole-Bright found de West African Students' Union (WASU) as a social, cultural den political focus give West African students insyd Britain. Na he cam be de organisation ein Secretary-General den de main contributor to ein journal, *Wasu*. Insyd 1926, na he record music insyd Yoruba for Zonophone, den insyd 1927, na he publish *United West Africa at the Bar of the Family of Nations*, wey dey call for Africans make dem enjoy universal suffrage. Na Solanke sanso lead WASU ein drive for a hostel give West Africans insyd London.

### West Africa
Insyd 1929, na he lef for a fundraising tour of West Africa. Na he spend three years dey travel, na ein mission be supported by de *West Africans* wey e be followed by chaw of de local press. While der, na dem found de branches of WASU insyd each country he visit. Na he sanso meet Opeolu Obisanya, wey na de couple later marry.

#### Em go back to Britain
Solanke come back Britain with enough money to open di hostel wey dem plan, wey dem call am "Africa House", and e be di first warden. But e face plenty wahala from some WASU members wey dey complain say e dey spend too much for Africa.

For di 1930s and 40s, Solanke dey use im connections with big men like Marcus Garvey, Paul Robeson, Reginald Sorensen and Nathaniel Fadipe to push di work for West African unity and fight against racism, helping people sabi WASU beta. When cocoa farmers for Gold Coast wan break British company cartel, dem write letter to Solanke make e help dem, and e fit organize big campaign for Britain, even get questions for Parliament.

For 1944, Solanke don come back West Africa to gather money for new hostel, e no return Britain till 1948. Di trip no be small success again, but for im absence, WASU don dey fall under Kwame Nkrumah hand and den Joe Appiah. As dem dey face plenty wahala inside, Solanke come resign as Secretary-General for 1949, to fight against communist matter inside di union. Im try put together some anti-communist candidates to run for WASU executive elections for 1951, but e no work. Then for January 1953, e finally waka come out from di union when dem decide to close Africa House because money no dey. Solanke dey maintain di hostel with em own small money wey dey left with am, till im die from lung cancer for London insyde September 1958.

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