Global Excellence Magazine Publisher, Mayor Akinpelu is 60. But he does not look it one bit. He is still his bubbly self. He still looks as refreshingly young as ever. He has remained the same old Lord Mayor as he is called. And everyone is celebrating this guru of celebrity reporting in a big way. This is because, over the last 3 decades, Mayor has dominated the media landscape like a colossus that he is. He has worked with major newspapers and celebrity magazines. He has co-set up a soft-sell magazine called FAME. He has also set up his own called Global Excellence.
Over the years, he has become very popular socially. He has wined and dined with the high and mighty and has carved a niche for himself in the media industry. He is one of the few celebrities whose first names attract recognition.
He works hard. He plays hard. He has become a Socialite who is a friend of many other socialites. He lives well. He dresses well.
He drives good cars.
Last week, City People’s Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE, spent an evening with the man we all call The Lord Mayor and got him to talk about his new life at 60. The interview was very revealing because, for the very 1st time, he opened up on very many aspects of his life. Do you know how he got the name Mayor? He spoke about these and many more. Below are excerpts.
Congrats on your 60th. Share with us your thoughts
It’s very interesting that I am becoming an old man. When we were young, when you hear that somebody is 60, you will look at the man as a very old man. I remember that my father retired at 60.
My father was a Cigarette Manufacturer. He had his factory at Ikoyilo on Lagos Island. And when he was 60, he left our house in Surulere and moved to Ikorodu permanently. And for another 36 years, he stayed alive he was in Ikorodu. He wasn’t doing anything. He was just living on his investments and shares. So, 60 is very old age and I am privileged to be 60 and to be able to say that I am now an old man.
If you look back at your life, how do you see all that you have been able to do and accomplish?
I will say God has been very kind to me. I have always been lucky and privileged one way or the other. I am from a relatively comfortable family, from a silver spoon home.
When Chief Obafemi Awolowo was doing Free Education, I didn’t go to a free school. I went to the best Nursery School in the Western Region at that time called Children Home School in Molete, Ibadan. From Children Home School, I went to Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode. I went to Ahmadiyya College in Agege now Anwaruslam College, Agege for my HSC and University of Lagos for my 1st degree. Before I became a Journalist, I was working at the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs and I was attached to the Maximum Prison. It was from there that I became a Journalist because, after the Orkar’s Coup, Nduka Irabor and Thompson were the 2 Journalists jailed by Buhari, as a Military ruler then.
We became friendly. They were in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons. After the Orkar’s Coup, they got in touch with me to write some things for them, which I did for the African Guardian and later on, I joined The Guardian. So, I have always been privileged.
God has always been kind to me. When we started FAME Magazine also, I was just a News Editor. I was not even an Editor in Vintage People then. But I led the team that started FAME and we changed a lot of things in celebrity reporting.
I will say yes. I have been blessed. I have a very lovely wife. I have a very good family. I have kids. I am a Grandfather now. My 1st daughter has 2 kids. She is married and she lives in America.
Bye and large, I think God has been kind to me.
When one looks at you, you don’t look 60, you are still the same old Lagos. Boy that you have always been for years. What are your secrets, in terms of lifestyle secret that keeps making you look young?
I think apart from the Grace of God, I think one of the things that have worked for me is that I am a guy who plays hard and works hard. I don’t joke with my enjoyment. I am a Vitamins freak. I take a lot of multi Vitamins. I read a lot. When I read and I find out new things that are good for the eyes or heart, or brain, I will go for it. I buy. So, I take Vitamins every day. I am also a massage freak. I do massage every week. I have been doing massage every week for over 20 years. Anywhere I travel to in the world I try to do massage. I think it’s very good for the body. It’s very good for stress. I am not sure about this, but I think I have a very good gene because people always tell me that oh, you don’t look 60. I travelled recently. I was abroad. I was telling somebody I am planning my 60th and the person said are you sure you really know your age? I said Yes. I think apart from Grace, I have always been doing things that will help me. I am also lucky I don’t have any strong medical condition. The only major problem I have is: I used to have Gouts that affects my bones and ankles, over time I have read about it and I have been able to manage it. I know the drugs to use that will take the Uric Acid from my system, so I won’t have the Gout attack. Apart from that, I am Good.
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