A rising Yoruba chanter cum dancer, Ojediwura Adelere is currently living her dream as a devoted promoter of Yoruba cultural heritage through her presence at socio-cultural events within and outside the Yoruba-speaking states.
The Iseyin-born lady is gifted with a Yoruba diction which is difficult to rival by her contemporaries in the art. Her solo and group performances easily electrify her gatherings.
Adelere’s sonorous but assertive voice, complemented with the right body movement on stage is an attestation to her claim that the art runs in her veins.
Though a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, she is a chip off the old block, enthusiastically showcasing her family masquerades skills to her audience.
In December 2023, her scintillating performance before a large audience of traditional rulers in Iba, Osun State earned her an award of merit. She chanted, sang and danced to the admiration of the clapping spectators at the annual Oriki Yoruba Festival promoted by the Eburu of Iba, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye. Recalling her journey into the art, she attributed her modest accomplishments to the training with which she grew at the feet of her uncle and father, both of whom, according to her, took her to performances when she was barely five years old.
“At that age, I was on the streets dancing and singing along with the elderly. Our family has Ayelabola Masquarade that entertains the people of my town. I got my inspiration from then till I clocked 17 years and formed my own group,” she said. As Aderele was growing in the art, she would later study Music, bagging a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 2019. Through her academic pursuit, she stunned The Ibadan Polytechnic campus when she brought to the campus some masquerades from her hometown.
“I was doing my final project and every student was using different means to score higher grades in their final projects. So, I thought about going home and bringing the masquerades to the school. I did, and was happy I did,” she recalled.
Born in July 1994, she holds Oba Okunoye in high esteem for what she calls the traditional ruler’s consistent support for her growth, saying her most remarkable moment of her career so far came from Oba Okunoye’s demonstrable passion for promotion of culture, despite the fact that he is a Professor of Computer Science.
“That was the day Kabiyesi appointed me as the Cultural Ambassador of Eburu Adekunle Cultural Renaissance. I was so overwhelmed, and felt honoured as I was caught unawares for the investiture. I shall continue to appreciate Kabiyesi for his genuine love to ensure Yoruba culture is sustained,” she submitted.