For ardent radio listeners in Ondo City and the South West of Nigeria, the name Adeolu Gboyega will be quite familiar having been on the job for close to two decades. Recently, he had an exclusive chat with EkimogunMirror on his career, plans for the new year, OAPs forming foreign accents and other issues. Read the excerpts:
Despite being a household name in Ondo State some of your teeming fans know little about you. Can you tell us more about you?
My name is Adeolu Gboyega, fondly called the Biggest Boy on Radio ( BBR) by friends and fans. I’m an OAP with Orange 94.5fm, Akure and the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ondo State Chapter. I attended the prestigious St. Raphael’s Kiddies School, Ondo for my elementary education and proceeded to Nova International School, Ado Ekiti and later the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja for a Diploma in Journalism and Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising. I’m also a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso where I studied Computer Science and Engineering but at the moment almost completing my Masters Degree programme. Hopefully, a PhD may follow.
Doing his thing on radio
What field is the Masters programme; Journalism or Computer Science Engineering? With a PhD in perspective, do you intend quitting broadcasting?
Let me start from your last question. I actually forfeited the dreams of becoming a medical doctor because of my passion for the media and the entertainment industry. Having been in the broadcast industry for an uninterrupted 15 years, quitting is no longer an option for me. Of course, I won’t be behind the microphone forever but there are other aspects of the job that I also have my hands on which can get me going. As for my Master’s programme, it’s MBA(Information Technology).
Can you share the other aspect of the job?
Public Relations is a wide field which itself alone is a career. Same goes for advertising. Very soon, I will be going on location with notable A-list artistes for the production of my first movie. I promote artistes too. By God’s grace, I’m an author, a compere and a voice over artiste. I am not just an everyday OAP, I explore the business aspect of my job too.
Rocking the stage with Tuface Idibia
L’agbala Odu shot you to limelight. What was the motivation behind the programme and what has kept the programme the cynosure of all ever since the first edition?
First of all, let’s return all Glory to God. L’AGBALA ODU is in its 11th year of uninterrupted broadcast and it’s been able to move to not less than seven stations since it started. Funny enough, I started my career presenting English programmes at the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) but after about three years, I just felt I should also explore my language. I’m a kind of person that loves to try new things. If there are other languages I understand, trust me to present in those languages. So, I had my tutelage under veteran broadcaster, Biodun Fabunmi and on the 5th of November, 2005 at exactly 10.05am, the maiden edition of the show commenced on Radio Nigeria, Progress FM, Ado Ekiti from where it moved to Osun, Oyo, Kwara and Ondo states. Here we are, still waxing stronger. That’s the only Yoruba programme I present. I have three other shows which are mainly in English and to God be the Glory, the ability to code mix is one of my strengths as an OAP.
Sharing joke alongside his colleague, Sweet Steve with the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko CON
Having been in the industry for a while, what’s your take on OAPs forming fake accents on air?
The truth is that such attitude is not too common around here except in Lagos. We can not also deny that some OAPs genuinely have a foreign background but for those who intentionally want to sound foreign on air, I can tell you such an On Air Personality can’t go far. Originality is the bane of any good broadcaster you find around! Be yourself and your listeners will appreciate you for who you are.
With so much victories attained in 2015 especially you tying the knot, what other moment would you love to share with your fans?
That’s true. In 2015, I got married to my beautiful wife, Temitope. I raked in several awards in the year. The brand also became bigger and better. So, many reasons to be thankful.
Adeolu Gboyega and his lovely wife, Temitope in a pose with veteran actor Sola Fosudo on their wedding day
How do you cope with female fans especially those who don’t mind your marital status?
My female fans are one of the reasons I still do what I do because when women support a cause, you are sure that cause will soon be widely accepted but for those who may want to go overboard, I know where to draw the lines.
What should the fans be expecting from you in 2016?
As I said earlier, all things being equal, my first movie will be out this year while my engagements on air will be a departure from what they’ve been used to. They should look forward to something new and fresh.
What is the title of the first movie? Give us some of the A list artistes involved in the project?
Hmmmm. Let’s keep that under wraps for now but at the right time, you guys will be the first to know. We are yet to be on location but you have assurances, it will be a parade of stars.
On set with Muyiwa Ademola and Tope Tedela
Do you intend to join Politics like some of your colleagues in the industry are doing?
Ekiti State is my home. A place so dear to me and so whatever that will bring development to my state remains a priority. God determines the direction of every mortal. He will determine mine too.
Thanks for your time we really appreciate sir. Drop a New Year message for your fans as a parting shot.
Well, to my fans, thank you for supporting me at all times. I’ve got amazing fans who have continued to surprise me every now and again. I promise not to disappoint you and to Ekimogun Mirror, keep up the good work.
Adeolu Gboyega is active on social media kindly keep a tab with him on the following platforms: facebook.com/adeolu.gboyega, Twitter: @gaad20, IG: @adeolugboyega1
