WALE ADENUGA...the man who knows how to put his talent at work

 

In him I see a man whom the saying, “Jack of all trade and master of none,” has little on or no relevance to as far as his life and personality are concerned.

His achievements in the Nigerian entertainment and music industry have been so tremendous that today his works speak volumes.

It is no other person than the dynamic, renowned and multi-faceted Wale Adenuga, the producer of; Ikebe Super, Binta and Super Story.

Wale Adenuga is one man who has in one way or the other touched so many lives, a young man who is a master in all he does. He is so many things in one; a Pastor, philanthropist, proprietor, former cartoonist, producer, script writer, director, a television drama producer and singer/songwriter.

He began his career as a student in, Kings College Lagos where he first formed a pop band which later disbanded. With his interest in art and drawing, he worked for the cartoon section of his University’s campus magazine in the 70s, and soon became the chief cartoonist of same publication, thus bagging the experience that inspired him to publish his own magazine. In the late eighties there sprung up an economic depression in the Nigerian publications. Not being deterred by this or the fact that his father was a tobacco merchant pushed on in life, attaining great heights and adding meaning to the entertainment industry.

After his graduation and youth service in Bendel in 1975, his comic ‘Ikebe Super’ was launched. Even in the midst of the tough competition with other magazines, Ikebe Super proved to be the most popular in Nigeria because of its very interesting characterization featuring; womaniser Papa Ajasco, illiterate Pa Jimoh, playboy Boy Alinco and a promiscuous gold-digger, Miss Pepeiye, who was later introduced.

His other magazines Super Story, was focused on satirical issues and Binta, a children's publication. He switched from print to electronic media in the 80s when Nigerian publications were affected by the economic depression. In 1983, he released the celluloid Papa Ajasco, maintaining the main characters in Ikebe Super. With time, Papa Ajasco made history as the first English comedy in an industry which had been dominated by Yoruba productions. In 1995, a film version of ‘Binta’, which he re-entitled, ‘Binta my daughter’ was released. A year later the television series Papa Ajasco (formerly The Ajasco Family) was aired on Nigerian television, this time introducing a new character Pa James who was created to second Pa Jimoh, so as not to offend Muslims.

On September 24, 1994, Wale and his wife Ehiwenma founded Binta International School in Lagos. An institution "built on the philosophy of balanced and excellent education, strongly derived from a burning desire to provide qualitative education at moderate, convenient and affordable rates; with intent to making our pupils standard bearers and upon graduation competent citizens of unequalled moral rectitude." The Pencil Film and Television Institute (PEFTI) which taught courses on Production, Directing and Cinematography was birthedin 2004. The school was recently featured in De Film Industries van Nigeria, a Danish documentary on the Nigerian film industry.

As a song writer and singer, Wale Adenuga has written some of Nigeria’s best praise and worship songs. Such songs include, ‘Today o’, ‘You alone are worthy Lord’, Lord because of me’, to mention but a few. He heads Fountain of praise, an organization which involves recording live worship albums and organizes effective worship seminars, one of Nigeria’s foremost worship conferences since 1997. The organisation has also recorded several albums and that in concert with renowned worship leaders such as Lenny Leblanc, Bob Fitts and David Baroni. Through his ‘Worship for Change Concerts’, he raised awareness and over N15m for several orphanages and charity organisations taking care of orphans and children with special needs.

He was raised in Ibadan and attended the Ibadan City Academy where he obtained his O-Level certificate, before proceeding to Kings College Lagos for his Senior School certificate. His soap opera has been a unifier in many families today because it has a way of bringing them all together the days they are to be aired. Through them also, he has been able to pass down some norms to the younger generation. His name today has become a household one, to the point that children tend to remember it more than the adults.

He has bagged five awards as; the Nigeria Film Festival for Best Producer, Best Script Writer, Best Director, Best Television Drama and Best Socially Relevant Television Production in 2002. It was part of his distinct contributions that led to his conferment as Member of the order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria honour (MFR) as acknowledgement of his immense contribution to the growth and development in 2009.

He serves as Pastor of Jubilee Christian Centre,a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) located in Aguda, Surulere. He is married to EhiwenmaAdebukola and they are both blessed with 11 year old Oluwafayokunmi.

Wale Adenuga (MFR) was born in September 24, 1950, Ile-Ife. He graduated from University of Lagos in 1971 where he studied Business Administration.