Lanre Adesina Hassan (born ), popularly called Iya Awero is a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

film actress, who features majorly in the Yoruba-language cinema of

Nollywood Nollywood, a portmanteau of Nigeria and Hollywood, is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film industry. The origin of the term goes back to the early 2000s, traced to an article in ''The New York Times''. Due to the history ...

, although she features in English-language productions as well. Since the start of her career with the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, Iya Awero has starred in multiple films.

Early life

Hassan was born in

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

. She spent most of her early life in

Lagos Island Lagos Island () is the principal and central Local government areas of Nigeria, Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, Nigeria. It was the capital of Lagos State until 1957. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian ce ...

, Lagos state.

Education

Hassan attended Oduwabore Memorial School, Mushin, Lagos. Before acting, Hassan attended the School of Drama for professional training.

Career

At the age of 14, Hassan joined the drama group Young Stars Concert Party alongside members like Ojo Ladipo (also known as Baba Mero) and Adebayo Salami. Later, they changed their name to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group. She entered the Lagos School of

Dramatic Arts Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been c ...

in 1970 under the direction of Chief Olude, a drama professor at the time, to give her performance an intellectual bite and flare. She received straight admission to the Center for Cultural Studies at the

University of Lagos The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a Public university, public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria, which was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the education in Nigeria#First generation universities, first generation universities in ...

, where she studied for a diploma in theatre. However, she became pregnant and was unable to finish the program. Baba Mero passed away in 1978, and Adebayo Salami took over as leader of the newly renamed Awada Kerikeri (Oga Bello). Hassan has starred in many Yoruba-language films since her debut.

Selected filmography

*''Ìlù Gángan'' (2009) *''Iró funfun'' (2009) - Mama Abioye *''Adelebo'' (2008) *''Aje Metta'' (2008) - Olori Aje *''Baba Lukudi'' (2008) - Iyawo Tunde *''Igba Ewa'' (2008) *''Ìkúnlè Kèsán'' (2008) *''Ìrírí Mi'' (2008) - Mama Lanre *''Oníbárà'' (2008) *''Àtànpàkò òtún'' (2007) - Arowolo's Wife *''Ejide'' (2007) *''Okun Emi'' (2007) *''Oluweri Magboojo'' *''Dokita Alabere'' (2006) *''Fadùn Sáyémi'' (2006) *''Ire Aye Mi'' (2006) *''Eto Ikoko'' (2005) - Atogbase *''Idajo Mi Tide'' (2005) *''Ishola Oba-orin'' (2005) *''Ogo-Nla'' (2005) *''Sade Blade'' (2005) *''Ògìdán'' (2004) *''Ògo Idílé'' (2004) *''Okun Ife'' (2004) *''Orí'' (2004) *'' Owo Blow'' *''Jawonbe'' (2003) *''Ogbologbo'' (2003) *''Ojabo Kofo'' (2003) *''Pakúté Olórun'' (2003) *''Boya Lemo'' (2002) *''Back to Africa'' (1997) *''Owo Blow: The Genesis'' (1997) - Mama Jide *''Aso Ásiri'' (2002) - Iya Mosun *'' Family on Fire'' (2011) *'' Mama Insurance'' (2012) *''

Omo Elemosho ''Omo Elemosho'' (''English: Child of Elemosho'') is a 2012 Nigerian film directed by Bayo Tijani and produced by Yewande Adekoya; the producer of the award-winning film ''Kudi Klepto''. ''Omo Elemosho'' received 5 nominations at the 10th Afri ...

'' (2013) - Asake *'' Ayitale'' (2013) - Ajoke *

Ajuwaya Ajuwaya is a 2017 Nigerian Movie produced and directed by Tolu Awobiyi Lord Tanner. The Adventure Movie stars Timini Egbuson, Lanre Hassan, Etinosa Idemudia, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Rahama Sadau. Synopsis The movie revolves around six Natio ...

(2017) as Mama Ejo *

King of Boys ''King of Boys'' is a 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film written, co-produced, and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It is the second movie directed by Kemi Adetiba following the release of '' The Wedding Party''. It reunites Kemi Adetiba with ...

(2018) as Iya Loja * The Cock-Tale (2020) as Awaru * Symphony (2022) as Grandma

References

External links