In this interview, Mr. Ladi Ayodeji, one of the greatest entertainment editors to have come out of Nigeria, speaks on how he joined Punch Newspapers, his relationship with musicians of those days and what he would have done if he had the benefit of social media in his days. All these he told Charles Okogene from his Abeokuta residence where he is enjoying his retirement.
Tell us your journey into journalism. When did you join Punch and how, who handed the entertainment pages to you and who did you leave it for?
I began my journalism career at the Punch, which I joined on January 20,1980. I responded to an advertisement for reporters and I was employed after I passed the interview as the best candidate, beating graduates, though, I had only A levels, even up till now, that’s all I have.
When I got a letter inviting me to resume work, I refused to go because I preferred accounting. I was already a few weeks in the employ of the Nigerian National Supply Company (NNSC) as audit clerk when I got the Punch job.
Suddenly, Collins Iwunze, who attended the interview and was also successful, showed up in my house, having being sent by the then deputy editor, the late Tayo Kehinde, to look for me otherwise, his own employment wouldn’t be ratified. So, Collins pleaded with me to show up at the Punch office to save his job. That was why I joined the paper. All the rest is now history.
Fola Arogundade handed over to me. I left the pages for Alozie Uzoukwu when I left on April 25,1985 to start Beats. Magazine
How easy was it reporting the beat in those analogue days?
Life as a reporter was tough back then in the 1980s. But I was extremely fortunate to enjoy wide popularity, so I thank God for his grace that my work was appreciated nation-wide. I was celebrated o. It was huge. It resonates till this day.
I didn’t suffer much because I had a car and I enjoyed the prestige and respect that fame brought. Glory to God in the highest.
Despite not having the benefits of modern technology like computers, we were able to design attractive pages, using the best graphic artists around at the time like Teo Tokee-Opitioke, Doyin Aderogba, and Moses Ebong.I owe these guys a lot.
If I had computers and the internet technology like we have now, only God knows what we would have achieved.
What was your relationship with the late sunny Okosuns’ because I met you severally in his Ogba resident.
Tell us that thing you will not forget reporting musicians in those days
The musicians of those days struggled a lot to get labels, and sponsors just like today. They took on the responsibilities of writing the songs, production, marketing, promotions,etc.
So, I made up my mind to give them easy access to my column, without any encumbrances. I worked extra hard to make them popular for free. I am happy they appreciated that.
What was your relationship with the late Sunny Okosuns’ because I met in flesh and blood for the first time severally at his Ogba residence then?
I wasn’t close to Sonny Okosuns than other musicians when I was in Punch. I was friends with all and that was deliberate. I didn’t want any musician to take advantage of me.
When I left active journalism,I became close to Sonny, Oliver De Coque and many others, who engaged my services as publicist at the time.
I used to stop by at Okosuns‘ house on my way home. That was all about it, but we were good friends before his unfortunate death.
Can you compare and contrast entertainment reporting of those days and now?
In my days, entertainment reporting was competitive and engaging, but the social media platforms have turned everyone into a critic and journalist.
Standards have dropped, but I think it boils down to the spirit of the age.
