Comrade Oluwafemi Oguntuase known as Ariremako 1 is the Chairman, of A1 Production. This media personality and a graduate of Mass Communication had been in the media industry for 2 decades. He presents Lagbo Regal on Adaba Fm, Breeze Fm, and Splash Fm. Until recently, he was elected the 5th Executive Chairman of Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria FIBAN, Ondo State chapter. In his interview with Event Diary Lifestyle, Princess Adeola Shittu and Mary Adetunji, Ariremako 1 opens up on his life, his career, and his plans for FIBAN Ondo State. Enjoy!
Congratulations on the success of your inauguration as the 5th Executive FIBAN Chairman, Ondo State Chapter. Tell us briefly about yourself.
Thank you very much, I am Oluwafemi Oguntuase popularly known as Ariremako 1. A native of Akure in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo state. I attended St. Anthony primary school, Akure. I proceeded to Onicangba private school, Akure for my secondary school but we later moved to Ibadan where I finished my secondary school at Aperin Boys High school, Ibadan. After my secondary education, I gained admission to Ibadan Polytechnic where I studied Mass Communication. By the grace of God; am an Independent presenter and the Executive Chairman of, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Ondo state chapter. And the CEO/ Chairman A1 production.
As a graduate of Mass communication, when did you start broadcasting and what inspired you to study the course?
It’s a long story but I will make it brief. I never wanted to study Mass Communication, I had loved to study Political Science but my cut-off mark then was low; and I was given mass communication because I don’t want to stay at home, so I accepted the offer. At a stage, I developed a passion for the course but it was pure theory, and the practical aspect was little. My understanding then, was that Mass Communicators only function on the radio; I felt I need to know one or two things concerning the practical aspect of it. Fortunately one of my brother’s friends visited us and we all cracked jokes, he saw what no one could see. He said I was funny and that I should be a comedian and that was how he linked me up with Prince Sunkanmi Adebayo (Joge) in 2001/2002. I spoke with him and he asked me to see him; I travelled down to Akure but after waiting for 4 days I couldn’t see him, I went back to school. When I came again to see him; he asked me what I want, I told him I want to be a presenter. He keep posting me, at a stage, I was tired of the stress of travelling down and not seeing him; he then open up to me that, he didn’t want to employ an Akure indigene because of his experience but his wife intervene and ask him to give me a chance. Following the intervention of his wife, he employed me. And I was to thank God today I never disappoint him rather, I keep making him proud.
What was your parent’s reaction, when you decided to become a broadcaster?
It was not easy convincing them, mostly my mother. She kicked against it and she was like, “I was asked to go to school rather, I was busy following presenters up and down”. Because I was determined and had developed more passion for the job, I didn’t allow their reaction to stop me. Today they are happy I followed my dream.
Share with us your experience why undertaking your training with your boss?
It was fun and I was already prepared for what comes my way. At a stage, Prince Sunkanmi Adebayo my boss handled me over to Pastor Seun Awodele, the current Oyo FIBAN Chairman that I should continue the practice aspect with him because of distances. Training under Pastor Seun Awodele was a real privilege for me because he treated me like his own brother. I remember as a student, whenever I visit him at his Coco house office in Ibadan, he will bring out all the money in his pocket and share it with us. He makes me love the profession more. There was a day he asked me to join him in eating his food, we both ate together on the same plate and that day was my happiest day on earth. Leaders like them are rear. I also have the opportunity to work with Femi Ogundiase aka O’ga sibe, Rev. Hon King Adenuga aka King El-Shaddai to mention but a few. That was how the journey started; I return all glory to God for where we are today.
The name Femi Oguntuase is not as popular as Ariremako, some even call you Femi Ariremako, who is Ariremako and how did you come about it?
(Laugh…) Ariremako is not my surname rather it’s my brand name and I got the nickname from my grandfather, my mother’s father Pa Mathew Alamugobu may his soul rest in peace. When I started broadcasting then, I realized every presenter has a nickname, and I nickname myself Mr. Confident. So one day, I told myself, am anchoring a Yoruba program, am calling myself Mr. confident, how the two matched each other. As I said, I got the name from my grandfather; back then when am sick and they will inform him, he will then send my mother to me, that she should tell me that, what we both discussed is ready, once I hear that I will stand up from my sickbed and go to him. Immediately he sees me from far, he will start praising me, that even on sickbed if I see good thing I won’t turn it down (Ti mo bari re, mi o niko), he used to joke with me like that. When I started this job, I saw the wisdom in what my grandfather used to say to me “Ti mo bari re, mi o niko” meaning if I see a good thing, I won’t turn it down. That was how I change from Mr. confident to Ariremako my grandfather's special name for me. And due to piracy, I added Ariremako 1 to my own. Am Femi Oguntuase, Ariremako 1.
Going by your years in the industry, what are some of the challenges you encounter in the journey?
May God helps us, there are challenges and there will continue to be challenging, according to a Yoruba adage that says, Ologo lo ni Ogun, Ogun lo ni ologo (meaning One that has glory is faced with a problem, and the one that encounters problem has a glory). The more your glory, the higher your battle. All professions have their challenges. One of our challenges in the industry is the level of betrayal in our profession, with no one to trust. Secondly, to become a freelance presenter is not easy, no salary expectation from anybody, we are not on the government payroll, we survive on the income that we earn. To eat, drink, socialize, look good and still maintain the home front as a freelancer is not an easy task. Thirdly is the manner of approach from our people, I remember 15 years ago, I had an MC job in Ilesa, Osun State, I arrived while the engagement was rounding up, the reception has not started, as the bride sighted me, she insulted me and this was a client that was kneeling begging me before I accepted her payment; on the day of the event I was the one begging her. Lots of challenges, what we hear most of the time is “we are enjoying you”, no sponsor or advert on our program but our people want to listen to us every time and we also don’t want to miss out because entertainment of today, if you miss one program, is like missing a whole year, so we need to be relevant and update ourselves. Again Ondo state government is not helping us. But in all challenges, we are still standing.
Looking back, do you have any regrets of been an independent presenter or a broadcaster?
On a frank note, I have no regrets about pushing my dream as a presenter; if I had not followed my dream of becoming a presenter, who knows I might be late. You will agree with me that nothing kills faster than depression; going by what I have passed through in life sometimes it looks as if am acting a script. For instance, 6 years ago when I bought my first car, I was going for a job appointment along Obaile, Akure; I had an accident involving a bike man who died on the spot. It was a serious case but God took control. Or is it the bite biting from our people, who don’t mind spoiling the good work one has laboured for. As I said, if I didn’t do this job, is possible I might have committed suicide; but in all fairness, my job has safe me several times and it has also allowed me to live to become who I am today. I have no regret about being a presenter, an independent presenter for that matter. I repeat, if I had not done this job, is possible I fall and never risen again.
As the 5th elected Ondo FIBAN chairman, what inspired you to contest for the number 1 seat?
First and foremost, I want to return glory to God Almighty for allowing me to win the race. I will also use this medium to appreciate everyone that was part of the success story. On what inspired me to contest; I will say service to humanity and the fact that it's my civil right just like every other of the association whose ambition is to see that FIBAN grows. Also, since the association was founded in Ondo state, starting from the 1st elected chairman, Amb. Segun Babayemi is popularly known as Ile-Alayo to the immediate past chairman, Prince Adeniyi Adebayo aka Baba Chukwudi, youth have never emerged the chairman of our great association and none of the past chairmen is an indigene of Ondo state. All these factors work for me. I made history to be the first Ondo state indigene to emerge the chairman and the first Akure indigene to emerge FIBAN chairman. On the other hand, our elders want to see youth occupying that position because the youth see FIBAN as an association for the elderly ones but my emergence has changed the narrative and the impression. The is that we both need ourselves; our elders are well equipped with the knowledge that we need and they also need us the youth to contribute our quota for the development and growth of the association. This is one of the many reasons why I contested. As it is, am the intermediary between the elders and the youths. My doors are open for initiatives and ideas from both parties for the progress of FIBAN in Ondo state.
Some people have been in this position before you, what are your plans for FIBAN and the incoming members?
All glory to God, man is only trying God has the final. We have plans, and one of our agendas is to complete our secretariat; I believe it is achievable. Also, FIBAN needs a bus; we are long due for it and I believe it is achievable. Today, in all radio and television stations in Nigeria; the Freelancer and Independent Broadcaster Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) covers 98% of their content. We are independent, we don’t collect salaries from any government but it is so unfortunate that some governments will come on board without giving us attention and we serve most of them. Radio station staffs who collect salaries have a limit to what they can say on air but FIBAN members, we have no one checking our scripts before going on air and the only body that has power over us is NBC. We are aware of the law that bid us and the one that frees us, that is why NBC law does not catch up with us, am talking about the real members of FIBAN. Also part of my plan is to restructure the association we have started work on this and I believe we will succeed with the support of God, the support of our people, and the elder’s forum. By the grace of God, FIBAN Ondo state is moving to the next level.
My advice to FIBAN members who are still outside is that they should come in because FIBAN is no longer where they left it. Within the short period of my emergence as the chairman, we have started work, there is a difference and that is why I said, there is time for everything. These 3 years, if all I can achieve is restructuring, let me focus on it and achieve a good result, for those coming after we will on it. We have no other association to run, FIBAN is our own, they don’t belong to NUJ, RATTAWU, FUMAN, and so on, why not join FIBAN, yet you present on-air, if anything happens, they will count you as our member and you will want us to stand by you, so come now and let us do the restructuring together.
How supportive is the government to FIBAN?
Hmmm, it’s a long story; we have done everything possible to have the attention of the state government so that we can both work together. Unlike other states where FIBAN enjoys government support and patronage, Ondo state FIBAN is still begging for the state government's attention and it had been like this since when the association was created. They don’t want to see us nor attend to us. We have written to them several, but they don’t reply to us talk less of seeing us. The fact is that we both need ourselves, the government in power will go but FIBAN will remain.
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