Adewale is one of the children of veteran actor, Kareem Adepoju, popularly called Baba Wande. He talks about his father’s passion for acting with GBENGA ADENIJI
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.
Your father is a prominent Nigerian actor, why didn’t you follow in his footsteps?
My father told all his children a long time ago that whoever was interested in acting should first choose a career by going to school. He said we should not make acting our first career. He believes in what he does but wants us to make different career choices before showing interest in his profession. He is aware that movie practitioners are not well remunerated because of piracy despite their commitment to their profession.
Have you ever featured in any of his films?
Yes, I have acted with him in some of his movies. I acted in Obuko Dudu, Owo Gbemu and Agbami Aye. I played some key roles in the movies. He writes good scripts and he always discusses well with me. Whenever I was on vacation from school, I would be with him to read the scripts for any new movie he was producing. I had followed him to locations many times and it was fun seeing many actors and actresses interpreting roles in a creative manner. It is natural for me to like the job that my father does.
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.
How many wives does your father have?
He has two wives.
Can you recall the popular faces you used to see in your house when you were growing up?
The veteran actor, Ishola Ogunsola popularly called Isho Pepper; Sunday Omobolanle (Papi Luwe), Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), Samson Oluwole; Aderupoko and many others. I also recalled that it was my father who introduced me to one of the notable actors at that time, Lukuluku. I was so happy to see him that day. I was with him at a location that day when he called me and introduced me to the actor. He also has a cordial relationship with the popular cinematographer, Tunde Kelani of Mainframe Productions. They worked on the film, Ti Oluwa Nile.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Members of the Osun State House of Assembly held a special plenary for your father when he celebrated 50 years in the industry. How did his family feel about the event?
I was involved in the event. We felt very happy and grateful to the state and the lawmakers for celebrating our father for his contribution to the growth of arts and culture. We thank God for everything. My father is the first actor honoured by members of the Osun State House of Assembly while he is still alive.
What challenges do you think your father has been facing in the industry?’
Like I stated earlier, the issue of piracy is one of the greatest challenges he faces like many other practitioners. This issue has been discouraging him because he puts a lot of money into production only for the pirates to feast on his sweat. For instance, Ti Oluwa Nile still sells but it is the pirates that make money from it. The government needs to assist in the fight against piracy. There was a time I saw a hawker selling Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 in traffic at Maryland, Lagos. I seized one of the copies from him and I wanted to cause a scene. He ran away when he saw that I was ready to apprehend him.
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.
What is his view about the state of the film industry?
The film practitioners need to speak with one voice. There are factions in the industry but he does not pitch tent with any of the groups. He relates with them all. He is not happy with the state of things in the industry really.
How does he like to dress?
He wears what fits him. If he wants to wear native attire, he will also put on a traditional cap to match. He also wears casual wears.
What is his preferred car brand?
He does not have any preferred car brand. He drives what makes him comfortable.
What is his schedule now?
He handles projects for some state governments now and he stays more in Osun State.
How close are you to him?
He is my friend even though he is my father.
Did he tell you some of his disappointments in the course of his career?
Yes, regarding his productions, he expected so much from the film, Ma tuwo but he was disappointed. Quality work was put into that film but things did not turn out as he envisaged. I don’t know whether publicity caused it because the film is a masterpiece. Also, some people had promised and failed him in the past. He always gives his best to his work and one can imagine how he will feel when someone promises to assist him in a certain production and reneges. There is a prominent person in this country that has done that to him before. His career has not been a bed of roses.
Would you have wished he chose a different career?
No, never. If he had been a doctor may be nobody would have known him. Maybe I would not have enjoyed the kind of privileges I enjoy now. It is through acting that he earned a name and sent us to school. I would never have wished him to be anything else.
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