KAYODE APONMADE
Renowned Nigerian Yoruba cultural ambassador and actor, Chief Adedeji Aderemi popularly known as Olofa-Ina turns 70 on Saturday, 15 May, 2020.
Reputed for his proficiency in Yoruba proverbs and maxims, Chief Adedeji Aderemi Baba Owe was born into the family of the late Chief Abdul Salam Aderemi and Late Madam Aisha Aderemi of Jagun- Olukosi compound, Ede in  Osun State on Monday, 15 May, 1950 during the reign of the Late Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the then Timi of Ede Land.
Versatile Sobaloju of Ede land had his primary education at St. Peters Anglican Primary School between 1957 and 1962 and then proceeded to Baptist Secondary Modern School, Ode-Omu from 1963 to 1965. He later had his vocational training in carpentry and joinery at Olukorede Furniture Industry between 1965 and 1970.
Alongside his career in carpentry, Alagba Aderemi had a fair taste of both public and private services as he worked as a Grade II Officer with the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria from 1970 to 1977.
Sagacious Olofa-Ina later worked as a Maintenance Officer with Daladson Hotel, Jericho Reservation, Idi-Isin, in Oyo State between 1977 and 1980 before he finally retired into full time Theatre Arts Practice in 1980.
Prior to 1980, he had earlier founded the Olofa-Ina Theatre Group in 1972 with the likes of Erinfolamin, Dasofunjo, Gbolagade Akinpelu and Late Oyetunji of Esinnla compound, Ede. He received his theatre training under the Late Oyetunji.
The Olofa-Ina Group recorded landmark achievements in the Theatre Industry by pioneering the staging of epical histories of the Yoruba Warlords of the 18th  and 19th centuries, including Basorun Ogunmola, Balogun Ibikunle, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesha, Aare Kurunmi of Ijaye, Kakanfo Afonja and a host of others. These productions were recorded by Nigerian Television (NTV) Ibadan in the 70s and were narrated by late Dr. Babayemi then, of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan who later became the Oba Olufi of Gbongan, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.
 Olofa-Ina also recorded and produced Television series including Odetedo, Lakaaye, Kogun Maja, and Ade Oba among others.
Olofa-Ina also displays his God given talents in scriptwriting, script dialogue and directing in addition to his acting roles in Yoruba films and television series.
He featured prominently in production of Ija Omode by Korede Films, Idaamu Otunba by Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), Ewe Orun by Korede Films, Kabiyesi Olodumare by Ogogo films and Mayegun by Yinka Quadri and others.
Olofa-Ina made his debut in film acting during the shooting of Ejo Ngboro by Tunbosun Odunsi Films, later featured in Lisabi Agbongbo Akala by Akin Ogungbe, Ayonmon by Hubert Ogunde, Mosebolatan by Alawada Films Limited, Taxi Driver Part I and II and Ehin Oku by Ade Love Films Ltd as well as Agbaarin by Jimoh Aliu Films Ltd.
Adedeji had a rare opportunity to feature on the first ever Home Video Production by Alade Aromire titled Ekun in 1989 and has -since become a celebrity and a household name in the subsequent Home Movies having remained one of the very best in acting with outstanding prolificacy in the use and good command of Yoruba Language. Act well your part for there all the honors lie. says an adage. Little wonder that Olofa-Ina has bagged many awards and recognitions which are too numerous to mention here.
Olofa-Ina has been able to successfully blend his acting career with other extra curriculum social activities as he is a strong and committed member of Positive Thinkers Club of Nigeria, among others.
Despite his expected tight schedule, Olofa-Ina has really paid his dues to his home town, Ede as he holds his domain in high esteem and this is evident in the fact that he is the President of Timi Agbale Descendants Union Mosifa Area, Ibadan Branch, where he lived until his return to his place of birth and home town, Ede.
It is on record too that Alagba Adedeji Aderemi Olofa-Ina was given a mandate to present a live performance of the history of Agbale Olofa Ina and Alapo Ti Emi Ti Emi  at the 2010 Ede Day Celebration by the Professor Siyan Oyeweso led Ede Mapo Arogun Day Planning Committee.
He did a great deal of justice to the well attended stage production, another clear testimony that Olofa-Ina is a worthy patriotic son of the soil. Olofa-Ina, an accomplished Thespian enjoys his leisure on farming, driving, script writing and reading.
Olofa-Ina is also a great mentor to many aspiring and upcoming artistes, a fact which was attested to by Mrs. Tola Oladokun: I used to sell clothes before I started acting in 1983. I indicated my interest in arts and I was accepted by the veteran, Deji Aderemi, also known as Olofa Ina in Ibadan, Oyo State. I tried combining my business with acting. But at the time, I was envied by some of my peers then because I knew how to read and write; those were some of the challenges I faced. They tried to plot against me, but my boss, Olofa-Ina was always on my side.
Olofa-Ina was also one of the prominent artistes honored by the Osun State Government at the 20th anniversary of the state in 2011.
Olofa-Ina is also famous for the rich Yoruba proverbs and idioms that punctuate his lines in various films and stage plays including his April 2020 interview with BBC Yoruba.