PMParrot/Parrot Xtra’s Oludotun Ajibola recently had an encounter with popular On Air Personality, Lawal Ibraheem Olalekan popularly known as ‘Orolabi’. He shared his view on how the government can generate more income from the entertainment industry and how he became a household name in Ibadan among many salient issues… Excerpts
Can our readers meet you?
My name is Lawal Ibraheem Olalekan popularly known as Orolabi. I am an On Air Personality, a standup comedian and a content creator.
You are one of the foremost presenters in the city of Ibadan, kindly tell us how you found yourself in the profession?
The journey started in the year 2005 while I was a student at the Polytechnic Ibadan. I was just displaying my God-given talent to a friend when my boss Mr Ajibola Akinyefa noticed it. He told me I can actually become a professional broadcaster and he advised me to listen to one of his programmes on Premier FM.
He later checked on me the following day and he advised me to enroll for a six months professional course but the program eventually dragged into a year program.
Immediately after the completion of my program, l was admitted to study Applied Mathematics at the Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho and I did my internship at Amuludun FM and after my NYSC I moved to Lagelu 96.7FM where I still work till date.
How lucrative is the profession?
Our job is a very lucrative job but one needs to be very hard working and have something reasonable to offer to the audience. It is very difficult to get a platform and if you are opportune to get one, you are likely to start getting stipends until such person becomes a full staff member.
However, if you are on top of your game, definitely things will turn around because there are many more services to offer. People will want you to render services for them because of the platform you have built over the years. Believe me, if the platform is well managed, it can turn to a brand name which will definitely attract corporate organizations.
There are many radio presenters who are currently brand ambassadors making waves in the entertainment industry. Consistency is the key to achieving success.
What are the challenges one is likely to face in the profession?
Like I said earlier, getting a platform is a very difficult process especially for the young and upcoming presenters. You have to offer some kind of pro bono services before you can be trusted with bigger responsibilities and be earning monthly salary.
The other challenge is peoples’ misconception that presenters are rich and always have enough cash on them. The reality is that presenters are human and are sometimes broke too, people always believe that presenters are wealthy especially when you are a household name in the profession.
It is assumed that some broadcasters live flamboyantly…
(Cuts in) That is not true. I and several colleagues of mine do not live fake lives, I am a very principled man and I do not pretend. I will advise that people should not live beyond what they earn, but that does not mean that such individual should not eat good food, drive a good car and dress well – of course, dressing well does not mean dressing expensively.
You are the brainchild behind the concept #Unadeyfeelam, what led to it?
The concept was developed after days of critical thinking. One day I was just thinking what if federal government decides to stop people from speaking on radio, (God forbids) what will I be doing to stay relevant?
On the other hand, being a presenter here in Ibadan is a very good thing as it fetches one popularity, however, people in Lagos and other states are not familiar with my voice because of the proximity. Instead of it being a barrier, I decided to use the wider platform of social media to pass information and entertain my fans in a comical way.
The concept #Unadeyfeelam’ has become a household slogan, even a popular Fuji singer, Dr Saheed Osupa adopted the concept in one of his latest single and not only that, the concept has made me to be more popular beyond the city of Ibadan. And this made me feel good.
In what way do you think the federal government can promote the entertainment industry?
Unfortunately, Nigerian government does not see the entertainment business as a serious platform to invest, just as they are investing in sporting activities. People in the entertainment industry are receiving less support from the government meanwhile the efforts of many hardworking entertainers have saved many lives. Watching comedy, listening to music can ease tension and anxiety and such individual can become livelier again.
If government can invest in supporting entertainers, I believe millions of people will be raised and it will create more employment opportunities and generate reasonable income for the government too.
What advice will you give to aspiring young people looking up to you?
I will urge them never to relent as winners never quit and quitters never win. They should just stay focused and keep to their dreams and be persistent in what they do and fortunes will smile on them.
