Encomium
ENTERTAINMENT guru and adorable dandy, Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye announced on Saturday, November 1, 2014, that he has picked the nomination form of All Progressives Congress (APC) for a House of Assembly slot in Odogbolu constituency (Ogun State). And legions were interested in why the Primetime Entertainment and Kennis Music co-chief executive will join politics at all, not to talk at starting from almost the lowest rung.
On Sunday, November 2, 2014, the 54 year-old Ijebu man shared his reasons for choices he has made about the next phase of his life with KUNLE BAKARE…
Why join politics now, after almost two decades in broadcasting and entertainment?
My people summoned me, and I acceded to their wishes. They asked me to come and represent them in the House of Assembly in Ogun State.
Aside that, it’s always been at the back of my mind. I’ve always said what I do is service. Everything I’ve done, if you check my records, has always been about impacting lives and serving people. I was a teacher in the United States for seven years, before coming back to Nigeria.
I left certainty for uncertainty coming to be part of the founding team of Raypower and AIT because I believed in the vision giving Nigerians 24-hour radio and TV stations. Something that had never been done before.
I believe in serving educating people, informing them, entertaining them. Putting a smile on their faces. This is a continuation of the things we’ve always done encourage talents, be a role model and inspire them.
This is just a phase of it. Any young person who sees it can say, so one can go from radio and television to politics. So, I can do it. If you look at history…From Arnold Schwarzenegger from a small country (Austria) to being world champion body builder, governor of the sixth largest economy in the world, California (USA). So, anything is achievable, if you believe in your dream and go for it with gusto. Victory, they say, favours the brave. Now is the time, and why wait any longer? My people have called me to serve, who am I to continue to say no?
Why APC? Why not another party?
Most of my friends and relatives are in that party, from the beginning (from AD, ACN…).
Secondly, their philosophy and ideology better match my own. Anybody who knows me, knows my temperament…I stand for the common people, for things that affect lives positively. The philosophy that APC propagates, from the philosophy of our late sage (Chief Obafemi Awolowo) in the days of AG and UPN, to AD and ACN and APC…those are the philosophies I identify with. Hence, it was an easy choice for me to make.
Many believe you should have gone for a higher office, not House of Assembly?
As someone called to serve, I wouldn’t want to dictate. You serve where your people feel it’s best for you. Where you will make the most impact. My impact is around my people. My people in my constituency in Odogbolu called me, that if I’m in the House of Reps or Senate, I will be sitting in Abuja and that my impact won’t be immediately felt.
Also, like I’ve said in previous interviews, that anywhere I’m called to serve, I’m willing. The good book also says, those who humble themselves shall be exalted. You start from somewhere. I remember the humble beginnings of Primetime and Kennis Music which we started in Kenny’s parlour some years back, which have grown to be known all over Nigeria, Africa and the world.
Big things always start small. Let’s get in and make a difference. Let’s get in and get our voices heard. From there, we can move to bigger things.
How prepared are you for the primaries?
I am very well equipped, I’m prepared. I’ve done my consultations. I know this is a job for me, this is a job I can do. My antecedents are very clear. Those who know me know what I can do. I have the education, the temperament, and I know the laws. I’m a people person. Everything I’ve done has been in service of my community and country. I inspire young people to succeed in music, acting discovering young talents, and turning them into something Nigeria and Africa can be proud of. I’m quite ready. I know it’s going to be a tough and uphill battle, but I’m prepared. I’m not one to assume…God will see us through.
It costs a lot of money to run a political campaign. Even the forms alone are expensive. How do you hope to fund this campaign?
Right now, I’m funding my campaign myself. But my friends have assured me of their support. Friends from my immediate constituency (the media), my well wishers have always encouraged me. The response has been encouraging from Nigerians all over the world, the Ijebus in diaspora, it is nothing but words of encouragement. Some even promised to come home and vote…
For now, the funding is from the household of Mr. and Mrs. D1.
What exactly will be your mission in the House of Assembly? What are the things you plan to do for your people?
Having taking a short tour of my constituency (Odogbolu)…of course, I went to Ijebu Ode Grammar School, I grew up in Ijebu…the area is not what it used to be. We have sweet memories of going to school here. Some of the infrastructure have collapsed. But Governor Ibikunle Amosun is doing a lot now.
My missions is to draw government attention, in terms of funding, to improve my constituency.
I’ve met with many Kabiyesis (traditional rulers), and they made their needs known to me. Their needs are a priority in my mind.
I’m in my 50s, and I’m one of the Ijebus that believe that once you are in your 50s, you should be retiring home. So, which home am I retiring to if I don’t make it beautiful and comfortable?
That’s the reason I’m contesting. To return my constituency to its glory days. Then, we were happy to go home for Ileya, Christmas or just to spend the weekend. With God’s help, we will get there. We’ve travelled abroad, we have seen these things, it is ‘doable’. And Nigeria has the money, it is just leadership. We’ve seen what Gov. Fashola has done in Lagos…it can be done.
We cannot all sit down and criticize. That’s why I’m joining politics, to make a difference.
Some say you are tired of both Primetime and Kennis Music…
No! On the contrary, I love what I do. Anybody that has ever read my interviews or watched me on TV, listened to me on radio, knows that I don’t delve into anything for the money but for the passion. When we got into radio and television, who was in it? When we got into music, how much were artistes earning? Fela (Anikulapo-Kuti) was the highest paid artiste at N25,000 per show. I’ve always done the things I’m passionate about. Have always gone into uncharted territories. I’m not tired of Primetime, I’m not tired of Kennis Music. What we’ve always propagated is service. When you are on radio or TV, you are entertaining, informing and educating people. Putting a smile on their faces…it’s a service.
When you discover a 2Face, Tony Tetuila, Eedris Abdulkareem or Jaywon that succeeds, hires a band manager, dancers and pays taxes, you are helping to stimulate the economy. You are creating employment. So, we’ve always done in private sector what we couldn’t do through government. We’ve helped to create jobs, stimulate the economy. We have artistes now who are riding multi-million naira cars, and they pay taxes, they hire people.
To answer your question, no. That is far from it. I very much enjoy what I’m doing, and like I said at the beginning, it is not the first time I’ve been called upon. I just thought it was not the time. I was deeply engaged in my radio and TV work. Taking a look at the scenario and the phase I am in life, I think I’m matured enough to handle the responsibility of governance. This is the time I can make a difference.
Will you still have time to present Primetime Africa once elected?
We will cross that bridge when we get there. I always believe that one should never forget your constituency, you never forget your people. When I become an Honourable member of the House, my constituency will go along with me. Of course, I will use my media contact, my friends in entertainment to come to my constituency…There will be nothing wrong in calling a 2Face to come perform at our Ileya festival…or to start something in tourism. I will be with my constituency (media and entertainment).
My friends in the media and entertainment are going to support me. They have sent me congratulatory wishes. That this is about time. Those words of encouragement made me understand that I made the right decision in coming out and stepping into the next phase of my life.
When did you tell Kenny Ogungbe and what did he say?
I told Kenny about a week ago. He was ecstatic, he said, ‘Are you serious about it?’ Of course, we’ve always talked about it, bandied it back and forth and agreed that if the opportunity comes, we should take it.
He (Kenny) said, ‘Baba Oloye, let’s go for it. As a matter of fact, I’m going to be the DG of your campaign organization, God willing’. And I thank God for that. We have always been together…in the days of drinking garri and shawa. When the situation became better, it is good to look back and look to your side (to see Kenny). We’ve always discussed it. Kenny and my lovely wife have always been consulted when it comes to major decisions in my life.
When I was making the consultation, I was hinting him. I said, ‘Kenny, something might be cooking’. The suspense was killing him. He said, ‘Baba Oloye, tell me, tell me’. I said,’ I would let you know soon’. And once I told him, he was very ecstatic. Very happy for me.
Who will be managing Kennis Music and Primetime Entertainment?
It is a business. We have managers finance managers, programme managers, directors, editors, producers. My job is as a presenter. When the opportunity avails me, I will present. If not, we will find younger people to present.
Primetime is a business that can stand on its own. It doesn’t depend solely on Kenny and D1 to thrive. You know both of us travel a lot, and there are times both of us are not around. It must go on. It is a business entity, and can sustain itself.
What will happen to your hotel and bar?
My father always told me, any business that can’t survive without you being there is not a business. So, that’s what our fathers did. They set up businesses which they can supervise minimally. The hotel and bar are self-sustainable. I have hired competent managers and staffers, my amiable wife is there to supervise them. I’ve no concern in that area. It will run itself, and God will help in sustaining them.
