Kola Onadipe
Nathaniel Kolawole Onadipe, most commonly known as Kola Onadipe, was a Nigerian author best known for writing children's books.
Biography
Kola Onadipe was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, Nigeria. He was born into a polygamous family and was the second son of his mother. Onadipe studied Law at the University of London in 1949 and later opened a law firm with his close friend Abraham Adesanya. He had fifteen children, seven boys and eight girls, to whom he dedicated his life and ensured they excelled in achieving acceptable academic status. He died at the age of sixty-six after he suffered a stroke on 4 December 1988. He was buried at his residential home in Ogbogbo, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria.
He was the Principal of Olu-Iwa College. He was a staunch disciplinarian and kept the school in top level academic and moral flavour. His popular expression was "You go" which meant that if he caught you being a truant, you will be expelled, regardless of who your parents might be. He was well respected by the proprietor of the school, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola.
Boys from all over Nigeria who were admitted to the college became great men under him and went to higher institutions of learning both at home and abroad to become greater leaders and professionals in life. They are too many to mention or list.
Publications
He dedicated most of his lifetime to education and writing books for children. He wrote a number of children's books which include:The Adventures of Souza. Ibadan: African Universities Press, 1963. The Boy Slave. Lagos: African Universities Press, 1966. OCLC number 623440282Koku Baboni. Ibadan: African Universities Press, 1965. OCLC number 26910639Sugar girl. Nairobi: East African Pub, 1964. OCLC number 731260The Magic land of the Shadows. Lagos: African University Press, 1970. OCLC number 32497510The Forest is our Playground. Lagos, Nigeria: Africa Universities Press, 1972. OCLC number 1736920The Return of Shettima. Lagos: University Press, 1972. OCLC number 1747640Builders of Africa. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1980. Footprints on the Niger. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1980. Sunny Boy. Ijebu-Ode: Natona Press, 1980. OCLC number 9633828Sweet Mother. Ijebu-Ode : Natona Press, 1980. Around Nigeria in Thirty days. Nigeria:Natona, 1981. Call Me Michael. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1981. Halima Must Not Die : and other plays for schools. Ijebu-Ode: Natona Press, 1981. Happy Birthday : Gueen for a day. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1982. Mothers-In-Law. 1982The Other Woman. 1982A Pot of Gold. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press Publishers, 1984. Beloved Daughters. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1985. The King is Naked : and other stories. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1985. The Mysterious Twins. Ijebu-Ode: Natona, 1986. OCLC number 633642923Binta : The Beautiful Bride. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1988.