The Solidra Circle – Part 2

How did it start? Paul and Lale were neighbors at 25 Branco Street, downtown Lagos, and after school, they would sit on their stoops and discuss ideas. And one day they decided to start their own organization. There were other clubs and organizations at the time but they felt those focused more on dances and fun fair and these two had more lofty goals. They had the grand idea at that young age to create an organization that would recognize artists in some small way and encourage people to aspire to and achieve greater heights socially, and in literary, dramatic and performance arts. They would completely eschew politics and political activities. And they were only in Form 3 or the equivalent of Junior High School.

Paul and Lale attended different schools; Paul was at Baptist Academy and Lale, CMS Grammar School, so they made a pact that each would bring in a friend. Paul brought in his best friend, Fola Sogbamimu, and Lale his cousin, Yemi Lijadu. Initially, they would have meetings and picnics to socialize and get themselves acquainted. This was even more important as new members from other schools joined. Formal meetings were held once every two months, but the Founding Four, who studied together, would meet regularly. The first meeting was held on a very hot, sunny day, Uncle Fola remembers, at 6 Vincent street, Yemi’s parents’ house. Fola became the first treasurer and may have doubled as the secretary back then and Yemi thinks Paul was the first Chairman.

They lived near each other and grew up together; 6 Vincent street was less than 5 minutes from 25 Branco street. They were interested in the arts, theatre, music, and culture. Paul was famous for playing the title role in the musical rendition of D.O. Fagunwa’s play, Ajantala, The Terrible Child. Lale was the local Bing (Crosby) and was in the dramatic, literary and debating societies at school. Yemi was a member of the Lagos Cathedral Choir and the CMS Grammar School soloist. He was also a member of a jazz band. Fola. along with Paul, was an excellent athlete and a great debater. They regularly took part in the annual Festival of Arts and Culture in Lagos and won prizes. And this was the impetus for the Solidra Circle. These young and idealist boys wanted to create a more artistic and cultural society for themselves and for others to encourage everyone to do and be more.

The first event they held was a fun fair with a band, refreshments, dancing and debates. It was called Extravaganza and was held at the Hotel Wayfarers in downtown Lagos. They would also have picnics at a member’s family’s farm, Mr. Elliot’s, at Iganmu, Lagos. Other clubs were invited to come and debate with them. Events were financed with membership dues and contributions. They called themselves comrades, had their own tie, slippers and cap, all specially made with the elongated S similar to the award. It was and it still is an all boys club. Women are welcome and even honored, but not as members. Maybe someday that will change.

After the initial setup and organization, soon there was a lull as members began to concentrate on their studies. Most of the boys by 1949 were focused on graduating high school and pursuing higher education so they studied hard for the college entrance exams. And then there was a break as the founding four and other members started leaving for other shores. Paul was one of the first, leaving for England in 1950 and not returning until 1957. Fola left in 1954 and would remain in England. Yemi left in 1953 for training with the BBC. He would leave Nigeria again in 1964 to take up a position with UNESCO in Paris. He was to be away for only two years but he is still there.

Listen to Yemi Lijadu talk about the Solidra Circle, In His Own Words (15 mins):

By the 60s many of the original members were back home so they