Celebrating an outstanding renowned Public Relations expert, a father and a husband, Mr Akinyemi Akinleye on his 51st birthday this month, took us through his hustle and bustle of a decade and one in life, in this interview with Oluwaseun Sonde, speaks on how he was challenged being the first son who shrugged off dirt, poverty and galvanised to make a difference.
Tell us about yourself?
I am Akinyemi Akinleye, and I was born in lagos State in the year 1972, April 5, to be precise. The first son and second child of 5 children. Had my early education at Ejire Nursery and Primary School, Anglican Grammar School, Ifo and the Ogun State Polytechnic where I studied Mass Communication. I did my Industry Training at Concord Newspapers and later at Diamond Publication. I later moved to Brandfaces Magazine before joining Chams Nigeria, limited as Head of Corporate Affairs. I finally left for EdisonRoss MS&L, a Public Relations firm.
Can you take us through your experience in life as you clocked 51?
My experience in life was eventful. “O I enjoy growing up, especially amongst my siblings and, in particular, my friends from primary school days. My parents, as my mother, will always remind us of what the yoruba people will call ‘Atapatadide’, meaning people who shrugged off dirt, poverty, etc, to become somebody in life. Thus, it has always resonated in my life.
She will also remind us again in Yoruba that ‘Iran meta kii tosi’ meaning we must, with the education they are empowering us with, break vicious circle of poverty over our generation. Armed with these two and various other adage from my parents, I was challenged and galvanised to make sure I make a difference in life.
Would you recall the most painful experience you had?
The most painful experience I had happened to me in 1984/5 when I was in Secondary School. I lived in the boarding house, and for those who attend boarding houses, we all know hunger is the order of the day. In my class, I was made the class captain. So many were my friends because of my brilliant life, and also, they wouldn’t want me to write their names as noise makers.
There was this particular boy, Gbenga, who was a day student and friendly too, always taking me for lunch, not knowing he was stealing from home. So, when he was caught, he was told to mention names of those who spent the money with him, and my name popped up. They came for me in the hostel, and the owner gave the order that I be flogged. Bro, those were the worst beats I have ever experienced in my life while I plead my innocence.
The house master who was more than always happy to flog, rained cains on me till I couldn’t cry again. I was then led away from the hostel to the police station. At the station, they police got angry with the people who brought me on the basis that did the boy tell me he was stealing? All of them were detained as the Police said they would be charged. I was later left to go home, but the pains and marks were all over me.
How is it like when starting a family and your experience as a family man?
Starting a family in our own time is interesting. I met my wife during the compulsory NYSC program in Anambra State, although we both School at Ogun State Polytechnic and stayed in Abeokuta but we never met for a day until we met during our service year in Anambra. I proposed to her and she accepted. In 2002 we decided to solemnised the wedding at St. Peter and Paul Church Abeokuta.
We are blessed with four children.
I have always had this feeling that I must not fail in marriage, and I will enjoy life as a father to the fullest. I shared my dreams with my wife right from when we met, and she has always key into it. I don’t care about the gender of the children we were given by God. So when the first came as a girl we were happy, the second came also a girl and I was sincerely disappointed and afraid.
I just told her, “Let’s have the third child, and if a girl too, then we call it a day as far as child bearing is concerned. To the glory of God, He gave us two boys (twins). But I must tell you, I have never been swayed by the fact that they are boys so I have to treat them special, No! We gave all of them equal treatment, and they all know. All the old time trainings were taught.
As a family man and a father, I learn to put my wife first after Christ in everything. So it was easy for her to be submissive when she later in life started earning a salary that could pay mine times twelve. While finance was never an issue in between us. I always tell her, “Don’t do anything in my name or ours, but for the children, so nobody knows who is earning what.”
What would you like to say to people aspiring to clock your age and Nigerians in general?
For people aspiring to clock my age, I will say please health is wealth. Live a healthy life, and don’t marry wrongfully. Late Evangelist Dele Ijagbulu words always ring loud in my ears in one of the crusades he held in my church during my early 20s. He said if the devil has been having a field day in your life, please don’t allow him when it comes to marriage. To Nigerians, it shall be well with you. Don’t because of the present situation lose hope or do what you shouldn’t have done.