Isaac Delano

Isaac Oluwole Delano (November 4, 1904 – December 17, 1979) was a Yoruba and Nigerian writer, educationist, political activist, nationalist, radio broadcaster, teacher, and a pioneering linguist and lexicographer of the Yoruba language.

Born in the small village of Ṣuren-Okenla (or Shuren) in what is now in Ifo Local Government in Ogun State, Nigeria, he was one of the first Nigerians to have a full western education from his youth. After graduating from high school, he became a civil servant for the government of British Nigeria until an accident in 1947, and soon began a pioneer movement to document the history, culture, and language of the Yoruba people, which was beginning to be eroded by British and Arab influences that had existed for decades.

His books involved documenting Yoruba historical heroes, common Yoruba proverbs, government styles of the Yoruba, and others. As a political/social activist, he attempted to explain African societies and the position of women, destroying stereotypes of female submissiveness in Yoruba culture and instead advocated that women were respected equals in Yoruba society and government. He also brought attention to female Yoruba heroes like Moremi Ajasoro. Both of Delano's parents were early converts to Christianity from the town of Abeokuta and most likely were among the groups of people that flocked to these new "Christian satellite villages" like Okenla and Wasinmi. The Delanos both became powerful Christian leaders in their community. His father was the leader, or Aro of the Egba Christians. Another son, Isaac Babatunde Delano, who was a Chief Justice of Ogun State was born on June 1, 1935, and died on July 23, 2020. One of his youngest sons is Chief Akinwande Delano (born 1938), a lawyer and former Attorney General of Ogun State.

Honors For his advancement of the Yorùbá people and his position as a teacher of the Yoruba language, and culture, he was appointed as the first Administrative Secretary of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa.

1934 -Soul of Nigeria 1942 -The Singing Minister of Nigeria 1944 -Notes and Comments from Nigeria 1945 -An African looks at Marriage 1945 -One Church for Nigeria 1955 -Aiye d'Aiye Oyinbo 1958 -Àtùmọ Èdè Yorùbá 1960 -Àgbékà Oro Yorùbá: Appropriate Words and Expressions in Yoruba 1963 -Lojo Ojo Un 1964 -Ìrantí Anfáni 1965 -Modern Yoruba Grammar 1966 -Òwe L'ẹṣin ọrọ: Yoruba proverbs, their meaning and Usage 1968 -Conversations in Yoruba and English 1968 -Josiah Ransome-Kuti: the Drummer Boy who Became a Canon 1969 -Oba Ademola II: A Great Alake of Egba