Amongst his peers in the broadcast world, Adesola Aremu, (Kinihun pede pede of Yorubaland) is a respected man and in the eyes of his fans, he is a leading light in broadcast journalism in Nigeria.
His Sunday tonic, “Aiye Akamara” connotes, mystery, oddity, unusual occurrence and unexplained events that is laced with compelling moralistic overtone and the fight against ills and norms of the society, with special focus on the brutish nature of man and his heinous crime against humanity.
In an encounter with the celebrated media icon in the captivating, but sleepy town of Sagamu Remo in Ogun State, he spoke to AYODELE OSHIKOKHAI on his rise to stardom, the birth of Akamara programme and why he uses words to tackle on evil people that have held humanity to ransom.
YOU have come a long way in broadcast journalism in Nigeria. How do you get inspiration to explore and probe issues with high degree of accuracy?
If you have once read the book written by Miss Starky “The devil in Massachusetts,” you will know that “Human beings are sometimes inspired by gods or angels who help them to be virtues, intelligent and successful, but sometimes on the contrary, they are invaded by demons that darken their judgment and drive them headlong to disaster”.
Having that picture in your mind you will know that, I get my inspirations from God, dreams and my late father who often speaks to me on any tough issue that is confronting me during my programme and when I am on air.
Tell us what makes your programme unique from others
“Aiye Akamara” programme is unique in the sense that it is an investigative magazine on radio that has been thrilling the public for the past 20 years.
In my Sunday programme Aiye Akamara on Rainbow 94.1 Fm which starts by 9pm – 11pm respectively, I use this platform to probe and explore the roots of problems which may be detrimental to the general public.
The uniqueness of the programme can be seen when I successfully unveil an issue, in my programme, another layer covering it that is deeply rooted in the archive of time re-surface and each time comes up, I dismantle the issue ruthlessly as I keep on informing, educating and entertaining the public about it and other events that surround them. This is what keeps me on my toes thereby making it unique.
In all of this, would you say your life has been so consistent?
My life has been so consistent in the sense that, it has been moving from one ladder of life to another. The climax of it all was when Otunba Alex Onabanjo gave me a chance in Rainbow 94.1 fm station.
“Akamara” programme started in 1994 when I signed up with Olalomi Ejire at Radio Lagos AM, before I moved to Eko FM from there to Gate Way Radio and Bond 92.9 FM before God catapulted me to Rainbow Radio Station.
What would you consider a turning point in your life?
A turning point in my life was when I started my programme with Rainbow 94.1 FM. It was when I fully started that programme I realized that in life, challenges comes and your ability to handle them successfully is what makes you a man and that is exactly what makes me what I am today.
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How did your becoming a broadcaster, change you as a person?
As a media man, you are expected to inform the public of what is going on in the society. You are also to educate the public on any issues that may be affecting the society or individuals, so that others could learn from it. It is also your duty to entertain the public on any issue of interest by this; you will feel incredibly well and satisfied.
For every success there is always a story to tell, what are some of your challenges and
how were you able to overcome them?
Well, I have had ups and downs in my rise to stardom. Everyone has one or two challenges in life, but I see challenge as a sort of stepping stones to greater heights. Challenges are no personal items to be kept, but when you cry to God for involvements, you are sure to scale through and I thank God, He was able out of kindness sees me through my problem to become stronger and to become the man I am today.
How is your relationship with your colleagues in the media?
I enjoy robust relationship with my colleagues both in the print and in the electronic media. I cannot in any way remember having an issue with anyone both on the professional level and outside it.
You sound so courageous in your programme and during investigation. Do you plan at the early stage of your life for what you are doing today?
To be frank with you, I had wanted to be a Lawyer at the early stage of my life, but when I met the late Gbenga Adeboye my mindset changed completely. My potentials were easily harvested by Gbenga Adeboye and Olalomi Ejire who first gave me a place on the Radio Lagos (AM), before the Alaafia of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi III bestowed on me the Chieftaincy title of Kinihun pedepede of Yorubaland as a result of my creative ability to use the Yoruba Language with dexterity in my programme “Aiye Akamara”.
Another feather was added to my cap last week, when the title of “Giwa Adeen of Tawaq” in Ikorodu Lagos.
If you have another chance to come back into this world, would you still be a broadcaster?
If I had the opportunity a million times to come back into this world, I would still like to become a broadcaster of an inestimable measure with my name written in gold.
What would you want to be remembered for?
I would want to be remembered as a man who loved Allah with great passion, a man who uses his Akamara programme to change the lives of negative people to positive. Above all, I would want to be remembered as the creator of “Aiye Akamara”.
How comfortable are you financially?
In term of money, I am not rich, but comfortable, since I can be able to put three square meals on the table for my family. I do not need to acquire all the wealth in this world to become rich. I appreciate what God has done for me and my family.
Can you recollect an unforgettable day in your life?
Ah, I could remember the day Oko Oloyun showered me with Jeep I now call Dem Dem Bullar in his FKJ Office. Then an unknown lady walk up to me to tell me that she was going to have a baby for me, despite the fact that I am married.
Before I could regain my composure to know who the lady was, she dropped her complimentary card on my laps as she sealed my mouth with a kiss that almost set me shivery. The unknown lady was later discovered to be a top management staff with NNPC.
Did you develop relationship with her then?
The rest has become history.
Most celebrities are known to be perpetual flirts, what about you sir, from the drama of that day?
Oshikokhai, you know me more than other journalist and you can even write a book on Akamara. Now answer me. Am I a flirt? And do I even look like one?
You look like one sir.
If you say I look like one, then you are a flirt too (general laughter).