”Akin Odunsi was such an iconoclastic and quintessential professional and businessman of a high repute”
Aare Ayodele Bankole, the Otun Maiyegun of Otta is the immediate past Chairman of Odun Omo Iganmode Cultural Festival, an event he has successfully repacked and reinvented to the delight of every Otta sons and daughters.
To his credit, the festival is now in the cultural calendar of the state and continued to attract visitors to the ancient city of Ota from far and wide and has also enjoyed rave review all across the media space. We, as a progressive news organization was particularly attracted to see a large number of youths working with him in those two years he held sway as the Chairman of the festival; so we decided to have a chat with him to understand his motivation.
We were to interview him during the last Ita Oba Day but couldn’t get a hold of him until yesterday when we tracked him down to Lagos where he graciously granted this no hold barred interview, on his career and on youth development agenda for the community.
Aare Dele Bankole narrated his transition from advertising and marketing communication to brand management, a testament to his versatility and adaptability. His ability to apply his skills and expertise to different areas is truly remarkable. Through this interview, we hope to shed light on his experiences, challenges, and successes, serving as an inspiration to individuals, particularly youths aspiring to make similar career shifts.
Relax and read the exclusive interview with this man of multiple honours to discover how his passion for brand management has transformed the Odun Omo Iganmode Cultural Festival and his vision for empowering youth within the community.
Prepare to be inspired by his journey and insights into the world of brand management.
Can we meet you Sir
Oh! No problem. Born to Late Chief Gabriel Sunday Bankole(GS), a 2nd World War veteran, a retiree of P&T and the Nigerian Police Force from Ijari Compound, Iyanru, Osi Quarters Otta and Mrs Julianah Bankole nee Opaleye, a trader from Agboole Oju -Abere of Owu Abeokuta. I attended St James’ Primary School, Ipate Oyinbo and later concluded my primary school education at RCM Primary School, I attended in Anglican Grammar School between 1979 and 1985. I have been married more than 25 years ago to my best friend and soul mate, Aramide Aderoju from the Owonifari clan of Sagamu in Remoland; the relationship is blessed with children. I didn’t tell you my father during his life time was the Baba Isale of St Micheal’s African Church, Igbo Olori, Otta.
Being an indigene of Otta, can you tell us about what it is like to be born and raised in Otta?
Very interesting. It was a fascinating experience to have being born and raised in Otta. If you grew up in the ‘70s and 80’s, you would probably have known me as Amos Bankole. If you grew up in Osi Quarters, Idire, Ibari, Mabodu, Iwaye, Isunbajo
etc, you would probably have known my name as Sunday or Amos omo Baba Olopa (laughs).
We knew each other from every quarter back then. You must have a family link in each of the quarters.
We are here to discuss youth development agenda with you. Have you ever benefitted from community mentorship
Yes of course. It was an absolute delight and a great privilege. Leaving secondary school was a big deal for me. Perhaps, I was the first person to have ever achieved that feat in my compound. The Odunaye’ family at Iwaye Compound was my primary studying hub. I owe a lot to Mr Dotun Odunaye (Dotra), now a retiree. He was at the University of Ibadan then studying Political Science I think. He read Thomas Hobbes, Plato and Rene Descartes. He brandished these books whenever he came home from the university and quoted from them copiously. He invited me to UI in 1986; visited his room at Sultan Bello Hall and had a lunch with him at the main cafeteria. I wanted to be like him. I knew then that University education was a must in spite of my pecuniary and unprivileged background to support a higher education. I owe educational mentorship to this wonderful community and, and particularly Mr Dotun Odunaye.
We are aware of your journey in life from Advertising, marketing communications to brand management to Oil and Gas, can you tell us about your journey in the Advertising industry and what motivated you
This is a very good question and it is an interesting one. The mentorship was also from this community surprisingly. So, I had educational and career development mentorship from Otta community.
In 1992, when I started my marketing communication career in Advertising, I needed a leap to the top of the game in no time. I was then a Trainee account manager with an Advertising Agency called Campaign Services Ltd on Ogunlana Drive in Surulere.
During that period, Chief Akin Odunsi sat on top of an adverting agency behemoth called ROSABEL Advertising on Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja. Rosabel was a choice advertising agency to advertisers who were breaking off from the traditional agencies that dominated the advertising space right from the 70’s.
By 1994, I needed a new lease of life. Call it challenging the status quo or a quest for greater challenge; there was that fire flickering in me, the nagging urge to exhale quickly to be on top of my chosen field.
I had my sight on ROSABEL for just one reason; it was a fruit on the ground and not a low hanging one. Chief Akin Odunsi was my kinsman. I said to myself, this is my kinsman, an uncle that could just give me that desired lift by employing me straight away without much ado, my qualification and knowledge notwithstanding. He was such an iconoclastic and quintessential professional and businessman of a high repute who was a keen rival and a pin in the ass to the likes of Mr Slyvester Moemeke of LINTAS and Mr Biodun Shobanjo of INSIGHT Communications. These were the giants in the industry back then.
I met one of our brothers from Otta, Mr Fatiu Akinsanya, a very brilliant graphic artist on my way to Chief Odunsi’s office.
I sauntered into his palatial office and he welcomed me. Chief Akin Odunsi checked my documents and asked “why did you miss First Class? … this is a good result Dele”
I didn’t have an answer for him, I just smiled. I didn’t want to say I joined “Egbekegbe” towards the tail end of my studies in the university. That’s a story for another day.. (laughs)
The next question for me was why I wanted to join ROSABEL. My answer was very simple; it was because I idolized him from my youth and wanted to be part of his empire so he could mentor me as a son.
He looked at me curiously with some uncanny grin on him mustached face. I didn’t like the look! It didn’t portend an acceptance to my quest. Was already expecting he would say to me, come and start work next Monday.
So Chief Odunsi rejected you
Please wait a bit, I will come to that shortly…
I think he sensed I came to him with a sense of entitlement. I think he didn’t like it. I was entitled to it anyway as a son of Otta, so why should he reject me? This sort of sense of entitlement is not uncommon among our youths of any age. It’s always there and it’s the monster that would hold you down from thinking out of the box.
Thinking that the “big man” from my clan out there, the politician out there, and the business man out there, as long as he’s from my town and family, he’s available to lift you up even when you don’t have the prerequisite qualifications and energy for the role or opportunity being sort after. It’s never that easy and it’s not a route I’d advise.
As I was saying…
He wiped his moustache brusquely with a little gruff, “Dele, you are a smart boy and very brilliant. You really don’t need a clannish connection to get to the top of your career. You may not in the true sense of it actualize your full potentials as we will have to be always cautious of the fact that we are of the same stock. I don’t run a clannish business”. That was brutal. I felt the pinch right through my spines…
Cuts in… Really? So how did you manage the situation
There was this huge feeling of sadness and disappointment that enveloped me. I never knew he was preparing me for the future. “Dele, I will advise you send your CVs to some of the biggest advertising agencies around. You don’t necessary have to work for your uncle to fly. I’m sure you will fly, you’ve got all it takes”
“But wait a minute”…he picked up his phone and directed the recipient on the other end of the line, his secretary I guessed, “Get Mrs Thomas of LTC for me”.
He spoke briefly to Mrs Bola Thomas about me in a friendly and professional manner, and that I was to see her very soon. Mrs Bola Thomas was the MD of Lawson, Thomas & Colleagues (LTC), one of the new generation advertising agencies in Nigeria back in the 90’s.
“Thank you Uncle” I uttered grudgingly before leaving his office. I almost missed my way out of the premises. I didn’t even bother to check on Mr Fatiu Akinsanya who had requested me to brief him on the outcome of the meeting with the big man!
So, how did you manage the disappointment of being refused employment by your kinsman
It was no longer a disappointment but a turning point that shaped my career. I never knew that was the nudge I needed to propel me up the career ladder. “Dele, I will advise you send your CV to some of the biggest advertising agencies around….,” that reverberated yet again. Those words were scorching and pinching me to take action. So I grabbed the latest edition of “Advertising Now”, the monthly or quarterly (can’t remember now) bulletin of AAPN – Advertising Agencies Practitioners of Nigeria. There you would find the list of all registered agencies in Nigeria. I picked the he first 10, including LTC and left out ROSABEL for best reasons you are aware of. No need to disturb Uncle Akin again.
I sent out applications to the remaining 8 of them. By the end of the 2nd week or so I had received written test or interview invitations from at least 5 of these leading agencies. It was a “wow” feeling.
Now, there was a problem. I received employment letters from 3 agencies in quick succession… OBM (Ogilvy Benson & Mather), PRIMA GARNET, LTC (Lawson Thomas & Colleagues and LINTAS: LAGOS. Like I said (laughs…) there was a problem. These were clearly some of the best agencies in Nigeria back then managing iconic brands for top Nigerian companies and multinational organizations. I eventually opted for LINTAS: LAGOS. This was where I picked the necessary training and experience that jump-started my career progression in advertising, brand communication, brand management and marketing. The rest they say is history.
Wow! This is an interesting story Aare. So, you actually took to Chief Akin Odunsi’ guidance
Yes of course.
So did you go back to thank him
Yes… I recall sending a letter to thank him for the nudge and for opening my eyes. For several years thereafter, I would accost Chief Akin Odunsi leading the Rosabel account management and creative teams to business pitches and meetings on the corridors of Lever Brothers, A.J Seward, UAC, Cadbury, NB PLC etc. I was also a constant member in the LINTAS team led by Mr Dele Adetiba and later, Mr Kevin
Amaechi, he would always ask me “Dele, kitigbe oh … how is advertising world is treating you?” I would throw gleaning and fecund smiles at him… “o fine Sir” with a low bow, stooping to greet him.
Can you tell us your experience outside the Advertising Industry? So, were you able to carry Chief Akin Odunsi along with the progression
Let’s fast forward to sometimes in 2010. I had changed careers from Advertising and Marketing Communication to Brand Management with Wonderfoods Ltd now PROMASIDOR Nigeria , makers of TOPTEA, COWBELL & ONGA food Seasoning. By 2002, I had transited to Oil & Gas when Otunba Mike Adenuga became the core investor in NOLCHEM (National Oil Plc) which later changed to CONOIL Plc. I was privileged to be part of that young and vibrant team drawn from Nigeria and all around the world to manage the transition of that giant oil & gas marketing company from NOLCHEM to CONOIL Plc.
I met him again in April 2010, but not as an Advertising Executive but a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was at the wedding reception party in honour of my boss’ daughter, Miss Bella Adenuga, now Mrs Bella Disu in Victoria Island. I was working for Otunba Mike Adenuga then. I was assigned to cater for the entertainment requirements of some of the “A” Class dignitaries across business and political landscapes. Senator Akin Odunsi was there. We had a brief but robust chat on my career progression and he was excited that an Otta -Awori son was out there quietly making a mark for himself. I knew he had an inner joy.
Let me cut the long story short. I visited him 11 years later at his country home in Otta. That was when Olota of Otta, Oba (Prof) Adeyemi Obalanlege appointed me to anchor 2021 Odun Omo Iganmode Cultural Festival. I think Hon Nurudeen Aina Akinpelu was with me that day. He was so pleased to receive me. I recounted how he inspired me in life and how his clear marks on my cherished career’s trajectory would never be erased. He just smiled.
That was when I invited him to be the Chairman of Odun Omo Iganmode Grande Finale for that year. He didn’t waste a moment to accept the honour, and the humble honour was mine too to be with one of my greatest mentors and motivators in life.
Some other time, when Olota was to honour me with an honourary title to encourage me play more active roles in community affairs. I was a bit hesitant as I wasn’t ready to take another title being the current holder of Aare Okanlomo of Owu Kingdom, a title bestowed on me by my maternal root in Owu Abeokuta 12 years earlier
When I received the letter stating the title “Otun Maiyegun of Otta”, it clears all worries as the reigning Maiyegun of Otta is the same Icon, a living legend in the advertising industry, Chief Akin Odunsi. What a coincidence. I took it as a divine reverence to his sterling contribution to my personal growth in life.
Chief Odunsi is indeed important to you. And it’s also rewarding for you to have taken after him as a mentee. What advice do you have for the youths of Otta who will like to adopt this mentorship approach
I will charge them to be focused. Have a chosen career, pursue it vigorously, build it and put God first at every step you take. I have always counseled some of the young people in the community that education is key. Get that education. Learn that trade. More importantly, education that is acquired and unapplied is almost a waste. Don’t waste it. Not matter how little the job pays after graduation, just start it.
Don’t expect to earn millions from day one.
Good luck if you get a high paying job immediately after graduation otherwise start with something. Such jobs are not available in great numbers anymore. So be ready for a rough ride.
Leave your comfort zone. Go elsewhere. Leave your location and make new friends. Don’t be a victim of in-breeding, you will be limited in your scope and develop stillness of ideas. Your growth will be impacted by your local environment. Grow your network.
Above all, be wary of cycle of friends your keep! You are as good as people who surround you. Be careful.
Can one be coached to be successful in life?
I honestly don’t have a straight answer for that. You can either be coached or be mentored. There is a difference between both. A mentor is someone with sterling achievements and records of success who can share his experience, knowledge and skills to help you grow and develop. Your mentor is not your meal ticket. Don’t go to him and start asking him/her for money. He will avoid you.
A coach on the other hand is someone who is willing to teach you a skill or a trade different from what you learned in school for a fee. If you are a graduate of Economics, why don’t you look for a chartered accountant within the community to coach you in Accounting and start writing accounting professional examinations. If you have a taste for fashion, get someone to coach you how make clothes, how to make hair and fashion pieces. Learn a trade because it might be useful in future.
We have been having serious concerns about leaders in the political arena and in the public and private being reluctant to help our youths. Do you have any plan to mentor the youth in our community
I don’t agree with that. We have serious minded and successful people in politics, business and in the public sectors in the community who are willing and ready to mentor our youths. I know a good number of them.
Is Olota of Otta, a renowned academician not a source of inspiration?
Is the Deputy Governor, Engr Mrs Noimot Salako, a renowned Engineer and Business woman not a source of inspiration?
Is Dr Olawale Cole not a source of inspiration?
The questions do they go to them? Do they consult and parley them for survival tips and career growth?
Your mentors will not look for you. You look for them. Every organized community must always be ready to build potentials among the youths for a secured future. However, the youth should not be too relaxed; the survival spirit must always be well charged, build trust, hard work, get informed and be very conscious of the circle of friends they keep. Don’t look for mentorship if your aim and desire is to get rich quick. You will burn out before reaching adulthood.
On mentorship! Yes, I have been doing this already and getting desirable results. We have a lot of brilliant and enterprising minds in the community who are willing to climb up in life. I will always make myself available for the youths in this regards but mind you I am equally a youth….(Smiles).
What is your take on sense of entitlement mentality most especially among the youths
I will advise our youths not to think or trudge in this direction. They youth must be aware of the danger of “sense of entitlement”. It is better to strive for a better life, prepared, equipped and well positioned. Trust me, the entitlement will come with ease without much stress.
Before we let you go Sir, any plans to go into full time politics
Nothing is impossible but I don’t like the idea of being a full time politician. Politics is not a job. Besides, I’m currently serving the state on board of Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, so full time politics is way off for me.
So if you are invited to represent your community at the Federal or State, would you object to it?
Let’s not talk about politics please. You promised me you won’t ask me question about politics.
But some section of the community see you in different light Sir; they believe you are a politician but hide behind the scene to operate
Again, let’s not talk about politics. I’m not a politician but I adhere with the general assumption that every individual is a potential political animal. The only difference is that “I am a core loyalist”, I don’t betray my loyalty base.
Sir, So you don’t have political mentors
Yes I do. I have in Lagos and Ogun State, And perhaps in Abuja now.
I mean in Otta
Yes of course. There are some elders and politicians I respect in the community for the kind of politics they play. I respect them. If you play politics to better the lots of our people, you have my respect and I will apply to be a mentee.
Can you name that person please
Laughs …. No please. Some of them have earned my respect and I do reach out to them from time to time. In fact, I have applied to a well known and successful politician in Otta who has gladly accepted to be my mentor (…laughs)
Who is that Sir
Why should I tell you? But I can say the person is savvy, tested & trusted and has in abundance citizen diplomacy which is important to our development as a community.
Is Chief Akin Odunsi on your list
What do you expect? He’s community driven… great things to learn from him.
Senator Gbolahan Dada
Exceptional, you don t find many of his likes around. Selfless and you hardly see him supporting frivolities …I have somethings to learn from him too.
Who else do you have something to learn from
Will tell you later (….laughs)
Congratulations Sir for the E-Library project which I understand is your brain child
Thank you my brother. It’s for all of us. It’s for the youths and the entire community. When completed, it will be the first 5G enabled digital library on this side of the planet. We are already discussing with a frontline telecom giant to support the project. With the support of everyone, the project will be inaugurated this December by His grace
Finally Sir, what are your hobbies and what do you do when you are not working
(Laughs)… I read a lot. I read anything especially serious literature and biographies. I do play Table Tennis and watch a lot of movies. I belong to a number of Social & recreational clubs including Ikoyi Club 1938, Yoruba Tennis Club, Lagos Country Club, Island Club and a couple of others.
Thank you very much Sir for your time. I admire you a lot.
Thanks a lot my brother, It’s a pleasure.
