Adewale is one of the children of
veteran actor, Kareem Adepoju, popularly called Baba Wande.
See excerpts from his recent interview with Punch Newspaper.
veteran actor, Kareem Adepoju, popularly called Baba Wande.
See excerpts from his recent interview with Punch Newspaper.
Please, tell us briefly about yourself.
I am Adewale; a son of Nollywood actor,
Kareem Adepoju otherwise called Baba Wande. I hail from Osogbo, Osun
State. I am a chartered accountant. I work with First Registrars Nigeria
Limited; former subsidiary of First Bank Nigeria Plc. I am married and
have children.
Kareem Adepoju otherwise called Baba Wande. I hail from Osogbo, Osun
State. I am a chartered accountant. I work with First Registrars Nigeria
Limited; former subsidiary of First Bank Nigeria Plc. I am married and
have children.
What are the memories of your childhood with him?
I remember that he used to take us to the
National Theatre, Lagos to watch plays. We were also at the Cultural
Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State with him. We used to have a wonderful time
whenever he took us to those places. If any of the famous film-makers
then was having any event, my father would take us along with him.
Whenever he was shooting a new film, I would be with him. I travelled
with him to many places. We are from Osogbo but he travels everywhere
because of the nature of his job.
National Theatre, Lagos to watch plays. We were also at the Cultural
Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State with him. We used to have a wonderful time
whenever he took us to those places. If any of the famous film-makers
then was having any event, my father would take us along with him.
Whenever he was shooting a new film, I would be with him. I travelled
with him to many places. We are from Osogbo but he travels everywhere
because of the nature of his job.
How many wives does your father have?
He has two wives.
How did your colleagues in school treat you as son of a respected actor?
I have a record in my school, University
of Ado-Ekiti, where I earned B.Sc Economics. I contested for the office
of the Director of Socials, Students’ Union Government. I won the
election landslide. In fact, I got the highest votes in that election
among other contestants for the various offices. I am not sure if
anybody has broken that record because I won across many faculties. Many
students took my campaign posters to their friends and colleagues to
convince them to vote for me because of who my father is. I am so happy
with the positive ways people react each time they know I am his son. I
have no regrets being his son.
of Ado-Ekiti, where I earned B.Sc Economics. I contested for the office
of the Director of Socials, Students’ Union Government. I won the
election landslide. In fact, I got the highest votes in that election
among other contestants for the various offices. I am not sure if
anybody has broken that record because I won across many faculties. Many
students took my campaign posters to their friends and colleagues to
convince them to vote for me because of who my father is. I am so happy
with the positive ways people react each time they know I am his son. I
have no regrets being his son.
Did he ever visit you when you were in the university?
Yes, he did and it was a day I will never
forget. When I was seeking admission into the university, there was a
time the entire process became so difficult despite my score. He came
along with me one day to the school and the attention they gave him was
encouraging. They accorded him much respect and my name eventually came
out on the list. My father always advises us to be wary of what we do
because of his name. Anybody can do anything and get anyway with it, but
we cannot because we know who our father is.
forget. When I was seeking admission into the university, there was a
time the entire process became so difficult despite my score. He came
along with me one day to the school and the attention they gave him was
encouraging. They accorded him much respect and my name eventually came
out on the list. My father always advises us to be wary of what we do
because of his name. Anybody can do anything and get anyway with it, but
we cannot because we know who our father is.
Your father cracks jokes in films, is he also funny at home?
My father is a very shy person. He is a
reserved person. He is cool-headed. He does not talk because he wants to
make one laugh but to pass across a certain message which will
definitely make meaning to the person being addressed. If he goes
anywhere, he will not want people to know that he is around. He prefers
to be on his own.
reserved person. He is cool-headed. He does not talk because he wants to
make one laugh but to pass across a certain message which will
definitely make meaning to the person being addressed. If he goes
anywhere, he will not want people to know that he is around. He prefers
to be on his own.
Which of his movies is your favourite and why do you prefer it to others?
It is a tough question because I love all
the movies my father had produced or featured in. He puts his best into
all his productions.
the movies my father had produced or featured in. He puts his best into
all his productions.
What about the movie, ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ which many people assume as his best?
The film, Ti Oluwa Nile just
happens to be popular. My father has many other great works. In fact,
nobody thought the movie would be successful. It was the first part of
the film that attracted huge attention which now made many big movie
practitioners to indicate interest to feature in it. Some of his films
include Opa Afoju, Ma tuwo and others which are distinct in delivery and stage craft.
happens to be popular. My father has many other great works. In fact,
nobody thought the movie would be successful. It was the first part of
the film that attracted huge attention which now made many big movie
practitioners to indicate interest to feature in it. Some of his films
include Opa Afoju, Ma tuwo and others which are distinct in delivery and stage craft.
What do you think distinguishes him in the make-believe industry?
I think the fact that he is religious
makes him different. This reflects in his world view, life and the
movies he produces. He has never for once derailed from the accepted
norms in the society. One can see this in his story lines.
makes him different. This reflects in his world view, life and the
movies he produces. He has never for once derailed from the accepted
norms in the society. One can see this in his story lines.
You painted your father as a no-nonsense man. How did he discipline any of his children who misbehaved?
He is a disciplinarian but he never used
the cane on any of us. He travelled a lot when we were young. He could
be away for a month and whenever he returned, we were always happy to
see him. If he had to beat us, it could be that anyone of us did
something bad and our mothers decided to tell our father when he
returned. Apart from that, he never used the cane to discipline any of
his children.
the cane on any of us. He travelled a lot when we were young. He could
be away for a month and whenever he returned, we were always happy to
see him. If he had to beat us, it could be that anyone of us did
something bad and our mothers decided to tell our father when he
returned. Apart from that, he never used the cane to discipline any of
his children.
How does he relax?
My father relaxes by reading the Quran.
How does he cope with his female admirers?
He copes well with his female admirers.
Even as his children, we have fans, not to talk of someone who has made a
career in acting. It is normal for a notable figure to get female
attention but he knows how to handle his female fans.
Even as his children, we have fans, not to talk of someone who has made a
career in acting. It is normal for a notable figure to get female
attention but he knows how to handle his female fans.
Did he tell you how he got the appellation, Baba Wande?
He did not tell me but I know the story.
He worked with the late Oyin Adejobi for 25 years. He earned the
nickname through a full-length story produced at that time. It was a
novel that was adapted into film. He acted as Otokiti in the film and
the character that played his daughter bore Wande. He has also named his
granddaughter, Yewande.
He worked with the late Oyin Adejobi for 25 years. He earned the
nickname through a full-length story produced at that time. It was a
novel that was adapted into film. He acted as Otokiti in the film and
the character that played his daughter bore Wande. He has also named his
granddaughter, Yewande.
What is his favourite food?
He likes amala (yam flour). He also likes taking pap every morning.
What is his favourite drink?
My father takes water always. That is his favourite drink. He detests sugary drinks.
What are the ideals you have imbibed from him?
He taught us early in life to respect
people especially elders. My father gives respect to everybody without
discriminating against status. He also encourages us to be religious and
let people know always that we have a good upbringing.
people especially elders. My father gives respect to everybody without
discriminating against status. He also encourages us to be religious and
let people know always that we have a good upbringing.
Is he into any sports?
Yes, he exercises at home. I recall that he used to walk some distances from our house in Osogbo when we were growing up.
How has your father’s name assisted you?
My father’s name has opened doors for me.
By the grace of God, I still enjoy his goodwill till where I am working
now. As a matter of fact, people are always willing to entrust things
in my care because they know where I am from and who my father is.
People do not need to ask, ‘Can we trust him?’ because they can identify
me with somebody.
By the grace of God, I still enjoy his goodwill till where I am working
now. As a matter of fact, people are always willing to entrust things
in my care because they know where I am from and who my father is.
People do not need to ask, ‘Can we trust him?’ because they can identify
me with somebody.
How would you describe your father?
My father is down-to-earth, religious and
straight-forward. He is blunt and bears no grudges. He speaks his mind
without being sentimental.
straight-forward. He is blunt and bears no grudges. He speaks his mind
without being sentimental.