There is no doubt about it that possession of talents is not a desire to be forcefully personalized. It has a tinge of spirituality to it. This is why the likes of Basorun Mukaila Adegboyega Lawal is a different being.
Adegboyega, today can be called a radio presenter, theatre practitioner, musician, poet, Master of Ceremonies and general entertainer. He did not get to achieve all these by simpe mere wishes. He prayed and worked hard. In addition, he took his time to pay his ‘dues’ in the industry. His journey was not exactly smooth, but he was able to show forth, the glory given onto him by the Almighty.
How did it all start?
Adegboyega was born on January 16, 1954 into the family of Mr. Alabi in Ile-Jagunkueke, Oke-Irefin, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
This bundle of talents attended C.A.C. Primary School, Irefin, Ibadan, I.I.C.C. Modern Secondary School, where he obtained Basic studies certificate and he was the senior prefect of the same school in the year 1972. He later continued his studies at Oranmiyan Memorial Grammar School, Ile-Ife in 1978/79 and Oyo State College of Education, Oyo between 1982 and 1985.
He started his broadcasting career at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, then it used to be called Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), as a freelance Yoruba presenter, as a poet in the year 1978.
Along the line, he found himself becoming more known as an exponent in the chanting of ‘Ewi’(Yoruba poem) under the amiable supervision of Prince Bayo Sanda who was then his producer.
Chief Tubosun Oladapo and Olanrewaju Adepoju were also under NTA at this time too. Meanwhile, he was still a secondary school leaver at this time.
All this while, he got a paying job at a giant construction company, Sonel Bonel (now R.C.C) where he served as an accounts’ clerk for just two years, after leaving secondary school.
He left Sonel Bonel, to obtain is National Certificate in Education in order to become a qualified teacher. After securing the certificate, the young Adegboyega made up his mind that roaming about to look for non-existing job was not his portion and definitely not in his dictionary.
According to what he told PMParrot, “I did a spiritual cleansing and begged God to give me more inspiration. That was when the Almighty reminded me about my talents. I promptly retrained myself as an MC. Of course, I was also gifted in the art of chanting ‘ewi’.
“At about this time, I got closer to Prince Bayo Sanda, who helped to nurture my talent. Later, I met Bimbo Alagbe who became the manager of programme at NTA then. She also did her best to keep me focused as a talented and creative broadcaster.
On the consent of Elder Yemi Ogunyemi, he started ‘Enbalaya’programme, a popular Yoruba quiz programme on NTA. He performed excellently well during this time. Because of his superlative performance, a mobile programme was given to him ‘Faaji Lawa’- he thus stopped relieving others’ programmes/productions and had his own programme at the television station.
However, Adegboyega’s big break came when he came up with a spectacular television programme called ‘OnRosy’ aired on the then, new privately owned television station in Ibadan, Galaxy Television at Oke Are.
This programme practically ‘blew’ Adegboyega and his fame spread all over Nigeria including Lagos. People gave him all attention and he basked in this for several years.
It was during this time that he put together a sakara musical group and he released a number of records.
In addition, he created a niche for himself as a radio and television jingle producer. Today, many will not settle for any other producer other than Adegboyega Iyeru when they want to produce jingles for their products and services.
Despite all these achievements, Basorun Lawal still tells anybody that cares to listen that he is still a ‘learner’!
“Yes o, I am a learner, only Allah knows all”, he quipped, adding “we human beings are nothing in the presence of the Almighty. I was trained by people, God has helped me to train people and I am always happy when I see all these people record huge successes as professionals.”
While speaking about his achievements, Basorun offered “I have been given so many awards to the extent that I cannot remember. But I know that today, I am the Public Relations Adviser of National Progressive Club Ibadan. I was also given an Award Of Recognition by the Association Of Marketing Students of The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1997.
“I got honoured as Apedegbayi in General by Abe-Igi Anu Organization, Oyo state chapter, I got a Merit Award from the Rotary Club of Ibadan, Central District 9130 in the year 2000. I equally got a Special Award from the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in 1997.
“In addition, I got Best presenter of The year Award at BCOS because of my ‘Bebe Lanse’ Programme in 1979, I was given an Award of Recognition by Young Pioneer Ladies Club (2006), Award of Excellence by Association of Communication and Language Arts’ students of the University of Ibadan. Sometime ago, I was the National Liason officer of TAMPAN”.
Adegboyega, the Bashorun Adini of Ikolaba, Ibadan is also a Patron of Hair Dressers’ Association of Nigeria and was a Past Governor of FIBAN, Oyo state Chapter. He is married to Alhaja Kudirat Apeke Lawa (aka Mama Ibeji) and blessed with children and grandchildren.
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
