Veteran Nollywood actor, Kayode Olaiya popularly known as “Aderupoko” revealed in an interview with Oyinmomo TV how the first television in Africa, established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo shaped him.
He said, “Awolowo made me so lucky. In Ibadan, the first WNTV and WNBC in Africa was where I developed. During the time the station was opened in 1959, I was a student. I walked past the television station everyday because it was the way to school, to cut firewood and pluck mangoes with my mates.”
Aderupoko narrated how he was actually appointed as a storyteller at WNTV. Not just only this, he was given the privilege to gather other kids to tell stories under the moonlight.
In his words, “One day, when we were coming back from school, someone approached us and asked if we could tell stories under the moonlight. We replied in affirmative. My name and where I resided were requested by the man. He decided to come visit us but we declined immediately but he assured us he was coming to inform our parents to allow us to tell stories.”
“He eventually came to our house in the evening. I was called out; afterwards I was appointed and also allowed to gather other kids. As of this time, there was nothing like recording. When we start rehearsals in the afternoon, by night, we go on air. The television aired programmes between 5pm to 10pm. It is within this period that we were given 15 minutes to tell stories.”
During his time at WNTV, he met top dramatists at the time who are legends and forerunners of theatre in Nigeria. Watching them, he began developing interest and his talent grew from there.
He said, “This is how I started storytelling on television. I was around seven or eight years old. I was the leader of the storytelling group. It was at this station I met Baba Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Akin Ogungbe —- they all came for drama presentations.
“I started watching them. Then I realised that the kind of play they do is different from mine. I couldn’t follow any of them because they all came from another state. This is how I started developing my talents. I joined Edukunle Travelling Theatre Group. But started with school play…..See More
Leave a Reply