[NIGERIAN CHIEF ADESOJI ADEREMI VISITS USA 1968]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1968

Description: Shot by an unknown amateur filmmaker, this brief silent black and white Super 8mm film features the prominent African statesmen and figure Adesoji Aderemi on a diplomatic trip to the US sometime in the late 1960’s or 1970’s (probably 1968 see below). Adesoji served as the Ooni (king) of Ife in Nigeria from 1930 to 1980. He was a Yoruba traditional ruler Adesoji and numerous other African chiefs would pay visits to the US during the 1960’s in order to foster post colonial relations. This is likely from his 1968 trip to New York to meet with UN Secretary-General U Thant. That same year, he also participated in cultural events in Houston and South Carolina representing the Nigerian and Yoruba culture. He became a symbol of unity and leadership among the Yoruba people and would be remembered for his role in education as well as his ability to bridge the the gap between traditional authority and modern governance. He was able to secure a pathway to wealth for indigenes especially in the agricultural industry. Oba Aderemi also founded the Oduduwa College as well as the University of Ife. He was knighted as the Knight Commander of the order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) and joined the Western House of Chiefs in 1948. Eastman Kodak released Super 8 in 1965 as an upgrade to the existing Standard 8mm film. It would remain popular until the advent of VHS in the 1980’s. Much of the footage shows the Chief in the traditional African Kufi and Agbada (:03) among western dressed civilians. He greets and speaks with various attendees (:27). Press snap photographs (1:08). Close shots highlight facial expressions (1:30). The camera pans over close allies; the man at 1;42 may very well be Edwin Ogebe Ogbu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. Ogbu served from 1968 to 1975.(1:59). The film concludes with African American youth lining the streets (3:13) of New York for a glimpse at the Chief.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldNEkI_fIi8

Metadata Source:YouTube