Fatai Adiyeloja
is a journalist whose experience especially in television production has spanned over two decades. In this chat with Segun Adeleye, he speaks on his journey in the media world, especially Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), his role model, and other sundry issues.
How do you find journalism?
Very interesting, exciting! It was not just by share happenstance that I found myself in journalism. While at school, I had always been around the profession. I majored in film and television production in Dramatic Art at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was customary then that when you were going towards the end of the course, you would get practical exposure. At a point we were taken to Ogun State Television (OGTV) and there I fell so much in love with some of the characters I met there. Jare Dada was then the head of the news
department. I found the whole setting so interesting and appealing and there I made up my mind that I would love to end up in television. As a student then, I was very versatile – I was an actor; I was into directing, and very good at playing the talking drum which was something very unusual for our type then. In fact, it got to a point where I was trying to learn African drumming. I took it upon myself to once in a while go to town and fraternise with local drummers.
So I acquired the skills which will make some people say that I am of the ayan background. When I left the university, I had always loved to be in Abeokuta. I served in Ogun State in 1985. God wanted it the way I would have loved it to be. At the camp, I got involved in acting and I was asked to serve here at the Nigerian Television Authority, Abeokuta. At a point, I was asked to run continuity for the station. Then somehow, Mrs. Doyin Ogunbiyi spotted the talent in me, exposed me to the tube and from the very first day when I mounted the continuity cubicle, the rest is history. So at a point I was in the news and before you know it, I was producing programmes and presenting programmes.
When eventually it was time for us to leave after service, I had made such a very strong impression on the entire members of staff of the station. Though there was embargo on employment, myself and one other lady, Belinda Ebomoyi, were given temporary appointment. The two of us were engaged on freelance basis, much later, I got the thing regularised. I was given permanent employment in 1987. As I was doing it, I was enjoying it. The problem then was the dearth of equipment. Most of the time you were ready for assignment, it was either there was no vehicle or there was no camera. There was a course I did at the University of Ife then, photography, and I developed it into commercial scale. I became a photographer along the line. So I had taken to photography on the commercial scale and I felt how much were they paying me? I thought I could do better outside, so let us go explore the outside world. I tendered my resignation letter in 1990. So I floated ADMONK Visuals Nigeria – a photo, video and advertising concern. We used to have an office at Isale-Igbehin then. I discovered that nothing is as good as being self-employed, although it might be rough and tough at the beginning. You are sure of something coming in at the end of the month if you have a paid employment but private practice; it is not always like that.
You win some, you lose some. Some of the times, you might not have much for weeks or months but God has always been there for me. When some people talk derogatorily about the Egba people, for me, if there is anything I am today, the Egba people have been very instrumental. They have been so good to me despite not being an indigene. I am from Ile-Ife in Osun state.
The likes of Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Princess Adebisi Soboyejo, my one and only ‘Kongi’, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the list is inexhaustible. The history of my life will not be complete without
chapters being devoted to the roles they played in my life.
When Kabiyesi Tejuoso just came to town and going through Ipebi experience, I was contacted through my former principal producer, Seinde Ogunseye, for photographic and video graphic documentary of all his experiences in Ipebi. Then I knew the man had a taste and still has a taste for class. It is got to be excellent and we were well received such that even if I had anything personal, he was always there. Soyinka happened to be my lecturer when I was at the University of Ife. From there, we liked each other. But it was not until I got to Abeokuta and he was Chairman of Federal Road Safety Corps and I was then with the NTA that I got to know that aside my biological father, I had a father I could rely on and open up to whatever challenges I might be facing and who was always rising up to whatever challenge. In actual fact, if I am to talk of who did make Fatai, it is Professor Wole Soyinka. He is one character you will keep reading like a book. Some will attribute Buddhism to him, some will say he is not a man of God and unbeliever but I can tell you that he is my pastor and chief imam! When you are talking religion, if we follow his likes, we will have a better society.
Two characters struck me in Ibadan when I was redeployed to NTA Ibadan from Ogbomoso. Two young girls, one a Muslim who can be said was tending towards Sufism and a Christian that was tending towards born-agaism and they were always seen together. One day I had to remark that if our religious leaders could imbibe these cultures we will have a better place. The thinking is if you are a Christian you don’t want to interact with me, you see me as a devil. If I am a Muslim, I don’t want to interact with you, I see you as a Lucifer. But who has ever been there to now say this is the religion, this is the way? Soyinka is a person that leads by example. Some people will even say for you to be close to him, you must be a member of the Pyrate Confraternity, I am not one. But I think I am very close to him to know that he is a man of God no matter what anybody says. He is large hearted, caring and a philanthropist of note.
You’ve spoken about people who were there when you were coming up, with your position now, what are you doing to ensure that other people benefit from you?
Right from the time I started floating my company, the trend then was that if you wanted to train someone, you would pay certain sum of money before the training and when graduating. It makes life difficult for people. For me, if you want to be trained, we will know your background, if you are ready to learn, the so called fees they do charge most of the times I waive them. Some of the time when I’m training you, I am responsible for your feeding and some other things. Some of the times you are graduating, there are so many ridiculous lists they bring. This person is just graduating; they don’t even know where the next meal is coming from. The money they are supposed to use to establish themselves with, you want to take before you let them go. In fact, one of the guys I trained, Samson, when I got too busy to work for Kabiyesi Tejuoso, eventually became the one Kabiyesi engaged covering his beats.
I am back with NTA. I left 1990 but at a point I think in the year 2001 when there was this emergence of community stations, the woman that was the general manager of NTA Ogbomoso then had to fall back on me to assist in putting the station together. As an administrative personnel, she needed someone who knew a bit of programming and a bit of news. Without charging any money, I was doing the thing voluntarily for her but in the process, I became the toast of almost high characters there in Ogbomoso. The then presidential chaplain, Professor A.Y. Obaje, took particular interest in me and asked me to come back. The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Samuel Osungbade, these characters took special interest in me so that I was even what could be called the de facto general manager.
There was a day they were doing fund raising for that station and I was the compere and the former Director General, Ben Bruce, was there. He was so impressed and said ‘is people like you we want’. He said ‘I want you back in NTA’. So I returned in 2003 and ever since there has
been no looking back.
Since you went back to NTA, are you not seeing those things that made you leave in the first place?
It is not yet uhuru but things are getting better. As you can see, it remains the largest television network in Africa and we did teach others the act of broadcasting. There is no gainsaying the fact that there have been remarkable improvements even in news, in content but we know there is room for improvement. We must leave this era of conservatism and move towards this era of radicalism even in broadcasting. As a private person back in NTA, I always wanted to do things differently. That is why some of the time you find yourself having issues with the powers that be. The result is what I am after. I have always been a person that does not like too much protocol and by so doing, that is when you achieve result. We make things work for the station and I am very proud of what I did. I worked assiduously towards ensuring that the station is rated one of the best community stations in the whole country.
What is the state of NTA Ogbomoso?
We have added so much value to the community. We have succeeded in putting that station on the global broadcast map. More than ever before, Ogbomoso is not only in public reckoning but in world reckoning. We have done a series of programmes, documentaries on the people, the royalty, the culture, the primordial tree there, even the politicians there. They know we have always been trying our best to ensure that in the scheme of things, Ogbomoso, which happens to be the second largest town in Oyo State, is given its pride of place.
I should let you know that I am no more in Ogbomoso. At a point, some people because of share envy wanted me out of that station. Before you know it, some petitions had been written against me. At a point I was supposed to be the officer in charge of that station and the next thing I would see was a letter redeploying me to NTA Ibadan network centre.
Shortly after I got there, the management decided that I would be sent to the governor’s office as correspondent. Before you know it, I was on their news; I read the news three consecutive days even on network centre.
Later, I became the producer and presenter of security watch and the records are there. My boss, Kayode Williams, would always insist I attend most of the a-list assignments then. It was a different ball game in Ibadan. There is the saying that when people think they are planning your downfall, it might be for further elevation.
So where are you now?
I am now the Officer in Charge of NTA Saki. When they brought the letter I said wow, is this not what they said we cannot do in Ogbomoso?
How is the experience like in Saki?
It is a different ball game. When I first got there, they said they transmitted only thrice a week – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I said this is unacceptable to me. You are only relevant if you are on air everyday. I told them we are starting daily transmission, they thought it was not possible but I said it was. Even if it will cost me putting my personal resources to it.
What are your hobbies?
I act and direct.
What will you describe as the high point on this job so far?
There was a time I told Soyinka I was sick and tired of this country and wanted to travel out. You know he is more appreciated over there than here but not like a prophet lacking honour in his home. There was a world festival taking place somewhere in Italy then and I got listed as one of the artistes. It was a memorable period for me working with the likes of Tunji Sofowote, Tunji Oyelana, Richard Mofe Damijo and I was particularly thrilled on the day we had the performance. It got to a point, some remarks were being made that I was really standing out in terms of projecting so that the audience could pick my words. I was so happy I was part of that production. I
still look forward to any such opportunity working with Soyinka at the global level.
Then for me, there have been so many high point even in the private venture. I was in Lagos and I was making great impact. I went to cover an event and beside myself and my boy, we were the only men. Powerful women, wives of generals, that tells you the kind of people we had cause interacting with in Lagos then. I met so many big characters but the point with me is, no matter how big you think you are, treat me like a human being. If you give me any shit, I will throw it back at you! The most important thing I think is not just to be educated, not just
to go to school but allow the school to go through you.
Respect begets respect. For people I have interacted with, I have treated them like deities. If Soyinka misses my calls anywhere under the sun, he calls back. What I am trying to say is, whatever you do, give it your best.
As someone that trained as a film maker, what is your assessment of Nollywood?
When we first left the university the only reason we stayed back was what they were doing was lacking touch of professionalism but they were making cool money. We were talking theory and they were doing what they knew, doing it how they could do it. It was later some of us felt we needed to contribute our own quota to make a change. The first time I went for audition of Super Story, Antar Laniyan wouldn’t allow me to complete a sentence before getting me on. It is actually time factor that wouldn’t allow me to be fully involved. I was in the Lion
of Mogun, I played the role of Olugbon there. That was one of the very big ones I did with them. I ran the commentary of The gods are not to blame. I was in Grass-cutter, Omoye – a child like you, Odd world, The dilemma of Agbabiaka. I also got involved with Mainframe Production by Tunde Kelani. I was in Arugba as Aare Alasa. I also featured in Maami. There is another one coming from Ilorin very soon. I was there for about two to three weeks. There is another one in the making, Oranmiyan. So if we stay away because they are not doing it well, how will they get it right?
If we team up with them, we will get it better and right.
You are not a church person neither a mosque person but often you refer to God intermittently. How does this add up?
The most people to run away from are the mosque and church people. The tendency is to see others as devils.
Maybe they read their Bible or Quran upside-down. I do communicate with my creator and I know He has always been there. Kongi made me. There was a time my wife was praying and said how come God has blessed a married sinner of a person like this? Because I don’t follow them to night vigil or whatever vigil, they perceive me as not holy. There was a day I was coming home and I called her and she said she was at church and I told her to better join me at home now or see herself as a divorcee. Even your pastor will tell you that your husband is your god for now.
But we don’t disturb them any longer because they will say they are praying for us but God is there.
How exactly do you communicate with your God?
I do pray. I go to church once in a while. You know that churches are mere business centres. What are you going to talk about that Fela Anikulapo Kuti hasn’t sung about? Pastors are wearing the best shoes, the best clothes, riding the best of cars, whereas members of the congregation are wallowing in abject poverty. That is what churches
have turned to.
When my first son was going to the university, my wife approached me talking about private university. I didn’t agree. One day we were talking about a friend whose daughter went to a private university and had to go to University of Ibadan (UI) for a higher degree. And I asked him, why not a private university? He said they have not started running higher degrees. I told him that those faith-based private universities were built by the sweat of the poor ones among them via their tithes and offerings. How many of these people can afford to send their children to these universities? They were taken aback and did see some sense in what I was saying. It is not their fault, when government has failed to address the basic issues of development. When government pays mere
lip service to repositioning education, then what do you expect? People will run anywhere, go to any mushroom institution just to acquire any degree. That is why most of the time they say they are not employable. What’s the quality of teaching in most of these institutions?
Government should give education it’s pride of place if we must develop at all.
Don’t you think you are under-utilising your talent by returning to NTA?
Like I did say, there is nothing as good as being on your own. You determine your time, your work, what you make and how you spend it. It is the best. But I believe God still has a purpose for me in NTA. For instance, if the woman in Ibadan wasn’t a large hearted person with the kind of thing they wrote about me, she would have asked them to take me elsewhere but God proved Himself. In terms of creativity, productivity, industry looks at what is happening in Saki. When I first got there, the colour with which the place was painted, I found it so offensive. The first thing I did was to give it the authentic NTA colour. I have been able to reach out to the local government chairmen. They are now repositioning that station. I have spoken with the senator representing the senatorial district, Senator Hosea Agboola, he is also assisting that station. Even if I leave that place today, the narrative of that station has changed.
We are planning towards disengagement but it has to be on a bigger scale and we are trusting God.
It is always very disturbing when people, most especially in the media, retire that they would be thinking of a roof over their head and decent automobile. It is saddening. We are the ones promoting these politicians. We make them. At the end of the day, what do we get in return? But there are very good ones among them; in and out of service, I am proud of Osoba any day. Politicians should know that no matter the grab-grab syndrome, we will leave this world with nothing as we did come. Develop people, develop others. You may not be doing it for yourself. You might just be doing it for your children. You never can tell.