The Interesting Life and Adventure of Olabisi Ajala “Ajala the Traveller”
The history behind “Ajala the Traveller” is unknown to many who have simply picked up the usage from the street or the aged around them. “Ajala traveller” is used to refer to the extensive travel or frequent travelling experience of a person as established by the origin of the name itself. You might have heard of the popular song by the musical icon Ebenezer Obey on Ajala, who travelled all over the world, and simply wondered who he was. On today’s Saturday Small Chops, we tell the story of Nigeria’s popular traveller, Olabisi Ajala, with a focus on his career, travel experiences, and influence.
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Olabisi Ajala was a socialite who came to the limelight with his audacious travelling spree. For this cause, he was popular in Nigeria and beyond as “Ajala the Traveler”. While others would prefer to go on a trip with a nice car, Ajala toured the United States on a bicycle, and the world on a Vespa (scooter).
By simply observing his hobby, Ajala, son of a traditionalist rose to influence during his prime. Not only did his name resound in every household, but he was also hailed by popular musicians at the time, prominently by Chief Ebenezer Obey in 1972, in a song drawn from his album titled “Board Member”. In order to establish his adventures, Ajala has one published book to his credit titled “An African Abroad”, published in 1963.
Far from his extensive travel portfolio, Ajala was educated. At 18, he travelled to the United States to study as a pre-medical student at the University of Chicago and later moved to Roosevelt College to study Psychology. Although he wanted to study medicine to mock traditional practices and superstitious belief, he was quick to develop another interest. Ajala rose to the limelight in 1952 when he went on a lecture tour across the US on a bike, covering a total of 2,280 miles in 28 days.
Throughout his tour, he was dressed in elaborate traditional Nigerian attires, celebrating his ethnic and cultural heritage as well as educating Americans on the beauty and sophistication of Nigeria, by extension Africa. He wanted to rid them of every ugly belief and misconception held about Africans who were thought to be “covered in leaves and loin clothes”, and that he achieved. The trip was reported with kind words in major newspapers, which made him very famous.
Following his widespread popularity in the US, Ajala landed his first role, $300 weekly for the movie “White Witch Doctor”, which was produced by the 20th Century Fox. In the movie, Ajala played the supporting role of “Ola”, a companion of “Loni”. Later in 1955, he secured a movie contract with the Eagle Lion Studios to make movies of African and European backgrounds.
Although famous in the US, Ajala visited a total of 87 countries including Australia, Russia, and Egypt with his Vespa within six years, and met with some of the world’s famous leaders at the time. Upon his return to Nigeria, he became a famous socialite, promoter and publicist. After his praise song by Ebenezer Obey, Ajala became synonymous with extensive travelling.
Tell us what you find interesting about the story of Ajala.