Irole Aye is a 2009 Yoruba movie, produced by and starring the late Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) as Ayoola, alongside Kikelomo Adeyemi, Kunle Adegbite and Sunny Alli, with appearances from Lanre Hassan, Mama Rainbow, Yinka Quadri, Azeez Ayinde Onifade, Bukky Ogunnote and Funke Akindele. The film was directed by Abbey Lanre.
Ogogo plays Ayoola, a man from a responsible home whose struggle for survival on the streets eventually draws him into political thuggery, protecting the interests of a political party. But that life comes at a heavy price when his actions eventually lead to a life sentence.
Irole Aye goes beyond Ayoola’s downfall to explore the repercussions for the family he leaves behind. His only son, played by Sunny Alli, eventually follows a disturbingly similar path and also ends up in prison — turning his father’s story into a cycle of choices, consequences and generational tragedy.
It is one of those moving dramas from the stable of the late veteran Ogogo that combines entertainment with a strong social message — touching on political exploitation, street survival, family and the consequences of the choices we make.
More than 15 years after its release, Irole Aye is still worth revisiting and is available to watch on @AfroVeoTV on YouTube.
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy