Hi,
First off, I hope all is well with you and your family and you are doing your best to stay safe in these trying times like billions of people around the world. Life as we know it has changed and it is quite challenging to comprehend at times. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, all those who have become sick with COVID-19, and all the health professionals and experts all around the world doing their absolute best to end this pandemic.
In adherence with my new year resolution, below is a brief summary of my interview with my 3rd guest of the year, Otunba Dayo Adeneye.
Otunba Adeneye is a music executive, investor, politician, entertainment and hospitality consultant, and motivational speaker. He, alongside Mr Kenny Ogungbe, was instrumental in not only transforming Nigerian radio and TV but also contributing immense value to the Nigerian music and entertainment industry. He is someone that I grew up watching on TV and listening to on radio so interviewing him was one of my 2020 goals.
In late January, I contacted him about the possibility of interviewing him on my podcast. He was initially hesitant to do the interview but an amazing family friend, Mr Juwon Osibanjo, put in a good word for me and he agreed to do the interview. My plan was to conduct the interview the second week in February. But he informed me that he would be travelling to Los Angeles for the Grammys and would be available to speak with me when he returned.
Throughout the first two weeks in February, I felt blue and low. It also didn’t help matters that my birthday was coming up (February 26th). My mother could sense my mood and she kept asking what I would like as a gift and if I would like to go out to eat and celebrate on my birthday. I told her I didn’t want any gifts and I wanted to stay home to work.
A week after Otunba Adeneye returned from Los Angeles, I contacted him and, after confirming with my team, we set a date for Tuesday, February 25th at 1:00pm. I was excited.
The day of the interview, I left home early to get my makeup done so that I could arrive at Otunba Adeneye’s office on time. For reasons best known to me, I ignored my mother’s advice on the best route to take and followed the GPS route. Let’s just say the phrase “Sometimes it’s best to listen to your elders” rang loudly in my ears for the 1 hour and 30 minutes that I was stuck in traffic. Sensibly, the moment that I had seen that Lagos traffic was going to finish me, I called my makeup artist to inform her and apologise for running late. I used my time in traffic to coordinate with my director who had arrived and was setting up at the location. My audio engineer was also on his way to the location. My “smart tush” was the lone ranger who was yet to be on her way.
Eventually, by 12pm my makeup was done. I changed clothes and dashed over to Otunba Adeneye’s office using my Lagos Janet Bond navigation moves (I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice). I arrived at his office at exactly 12.59pm. I apologised profusely and he was courteous and understanding but firm. The interview kicked off at 1.10pm and it was a pleasure talking with him.
When we were done, he took me around and showed me some pictures and awards that he and Mr Kenny Ogungbe had received over the years (a lot of them were surprisingly still in unpacked boxes). It was such a great moment. Once we had all the necessary footage and pictures, I thanked him for his time and we cleared up and left.
The drive home with my team was joyful. The entire day turned out to be a great unexpected birthday present!
—
To listen to the interview, visit Audiomack, Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or iHeartRADIO. You can also watch the video version on Youtube. Simply search for ‘thesncpodcast’ [1 word]. You can follow the pod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at the same name -> @thesncpodcast
Ps: My mother did get me a birthday gift after all. She got me a lovely birthday card and a small pink teddy bear. 🙂
