I have fought, and been fought. I have led, and been led. I have educated, and been educated. I have learnt and I am still learning in the university of life. I have been helped, and I have helped others.
I have been secretary, president, chairman, poster paster, leafleteer, pamphleteer, agitator, mobiliser, organiser, in my universities of struggle in which my Faculties included NANS and NUJ; never betraying the collective cause and always speaking truth to the powers that be to the best of my ability. I have been a socialist, Marxist, Trostkyist, Internationalist, and will remain so for the rest of my life, ever proud to be a foundation member of the Democratic Socialist Movement.
I have been abducted, arrested and detained while fighting for students, youths, journalists, workers and the masses. I absolutely have no regrets although there were tactical mistakes.
I have fought, and been fought. I have led, and been led. I have educated, and been educated. I have learnt and I am still learning in the university of life.
I have been choir member, cross bearer and Aafaa in my universities of religion. I have watched stage dramas, and have been watched on stage by others as Alore in ‘Kiriji’ and as Jomi, the King Sasa of Esaland in ‘The Son of Slave Parents’ in my secondary school days. I continue to love drama and for close to a year now, me and my family have been engrossed with ‘Itura’ the story of an epic battle for power in ‘Ibaokuta’. Perhaps it is because the play is set in the shadows of Kiriji war but I also love it for its expose on how people would stop at nothing to grab power; and how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Watch ‘Itura’ and you would understand why the political elite behave irresponsibly and why we continue to labour to get it right at elections.
I have been a lover of sports, especially football; and I have been a fan of Rangers International of Enugu and Arsenal. I have also at some point been a fan of AC Milan due to the Dutch trio – Gullit, Rikaard and Marco Van Basten. But my all time best footballers are Ayesimoju Patrick, nicknamed ‘System’ and Aisegame Jimoh both of my secondary school; Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Ronaldinho (my main star), Iniesta and Socrates. Hobby-wise, I remain a lover of aviation, drama and dancing. Nature-wise, I continue to laugh heartily. Music-wise, I remain at home with afro-beat, jazz, country music and traditional beats, my Nigerian top three being Fela, Sunny and Orlando. Movie-wise, I have been captivated by Mary Lazarus, Femi Jacobs and Olu Jacobs.
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I have travelled widely, and I have missed possible fatal fate in road accidents, boat mishap and at least one aircraft crash-landing.
I have read volumes of literature, and I have been privileged to be read by some others as author of three books – ‘Fela: Yesterday’s Message as Today’s Reality’; ‘Media and Elections – The Professional Responsibilities of Journalists’ and ‘Breaking Your Head With Coconut (Akowe’s Journey in Student Unionism). I hope and pray to be able to write more.
I have been lucky with my understanding beautiful wife and beautiful daughters- Ogunsola, Omolola and Eniola. I have been very lucky with my supportive siblings – Titilayo, Ayodele, Olamide, Adesola, Ayodeji and Folashade. I have been blessed with amiable in-laws – the Ogunsanwos. I have been very lucky to have wonderful close friends, associates, colleagues and comrades. I have been privileged to work with cooperating staff and board at the International Press Centre. Together, as women and men, and as young and old we continue to make a strong case for freedom of expression, freedom of the press, media independence, safety of journalists and access to information.
I would forever cherish attending Saint Paul’s Primary School, Osi-Ekiti; Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti; Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo; the University of Ife – Great Ife; the University of Ibadan… and now Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
I am glad that my journalism career has taken me through The Republic Newspapers, National Concord, Vanguard Newspapers, Voice of America, Panos Radio, World Parliamentarian, African Flames, among others.
As I clock 61, I look back at an eventful life and cannot but be thankful to ASEDAAYE.
I remain proud of my roots in the Arogundade-Oginni-Oshungboun, Adegbuwa, Ayoade and Abu families of Ijebu-Jesa, Odogo, Ilesa and Iwoye-Ijesa where my great parents, the primus inter pares Thomas Akinyemi and Layoonu Hannah hailed from. Of course I remain exceedingly proud of Osi-Ekiti, the town of my birth and childhood.
I proudly live with double ORÍKÌ
Èmi lomo Ijebu-Egboro
Omo awúre fáse banu
Èmi lomo gberebuutu íso bii yan ati rònà òkè Ìlóro
Èmi lomo Osi-Asise
Omo Elégbèrin ooho
Omo amúdá sílè mógun enu pani
Omo olúmolè méjì tako tabo
As I clock 61, I look back at an eventful life and cannot but be thankful to ASEDAAYE. Of course I thank all who have made the journey worthwhile.
