Awikonko Akanda Oro is one of the very fearless Ewi exponents who says the truth no matter whose ox is being gored. The highly creative and skilful poet is known for his punchy and resounding poems that speak ill of evil doers and praise virtuous members of the society. His Ewis are specially composed to re-engineer the minds of the oppressors by pricking their consciousnesses, calling them to change for the better. Awikonko has waxed well over 100 music albums, all to his credits as he used them to address key societal issues of those periods. Something appealing about the Ewi exponent who also is an event MC is his in-depth knowledge of Yoruba language which is top notch. He uses this to a great advantage and the delight of his audience. Once he handles the microphone, he engages his audience and captures their rapt attention effortlessly. Awikonko is indeed a treasure for the Yoruba race. He is doing greatly in ensuring the many invaluable cultural heritage of the people does not die and is being transferred through his Ewi from one generation to another. City People’s JAMIU ABUBAKAR (08085185886) met Akanda Awikonko at a public function where he anchored the event to the admiration of all. During a chat with him, he spoked on how he developed his Ewi skills and how he has remained resolute and not afraid of taking on bad leaders. Below are the excerpts, read and enjoy!
Tell us how the concept of Awikonko Akanda Oro started
I started close to 2 decades ago. That was exactly in 2003 as a radio broadcaster. Later, I went into doing TV programmes but now, I do more of online broadcasting. I run the Awonkonko Tv online. Besides this, I am also an activist fighting for the rights of people and exposing the antics of bad people.
How do you cope with combining broadcasting with activism?
I can say both are related to each other. As a broadcaster, you are the mouth and image of the people. The same thing as an activist. It’s only that activism is more difficult than an ordinary broadcaster or being an entertainer. It means you have a lot of enemies when you are an activist. This is because, when you are exposing them, they hate you.
Is that what inspires you to be called Awonkoko?
Yes, because I will always say it as it is without minding the receiver. I don’t want to know what you say or what you think. My own is to say it as it is.
How many records have you produced since you have started doing Ewi?
There are many. I have waxed more than 200 albums. Some of them are too tough. Like the one in which I challenged the former president about the death of the late Attorney-General of the Federation in person of Chief Bola Ige. Another one was on the rift between two top traditional leaders in Yoruba land; Oni and Alaafin. I did an album stating who is superior between them. And there are lots like that.
Why did you choose broadcasting and activism?
That Is how I was born. I could remember vividly that when I was very young. Don’t tell me someone is a witch or wizard because I would confront that person and say that they have witchcraft, would you kill me, will you hurt me? Also I hate cheating. If you cheat me, I may not react but if you cheat someone beside me, I will take the fight up. I was naturally inspired by the job. I was not forced into it because I love it. I always love talking to the microphone. If you want to punish me, you don’t need to hide me anywhere, you don’t need to luck me up. Just take the microphone for a week and I will fall sick.
How do you cope with the challenges that come with activism?
Well, I am not free like every other person. Whenever I am going out, I have to look here and there to be sure I am not being trailed by someone.
Another one is I think I was arrested twice. One in Osun State and the other one is in Oyo State through activism. That is the little bit I can say for now.
Have you ever thought of leaving activism for something else?
No, I am enjoying it. I can’t leave for a while. I can’t even leave it for anything.
Your in-depth knowledge of the usage of Yoruba in your ewi exposition is quite commendable. How did you develop the skills?
That is how I started my life. When we were growing there was nothing like TV, video, Video CD, internet and social media. We can count the houses that have TV in our environment through their antenna. Wherever you see the antenna, you know there is TV over there. I started my life through moonlight plays like Alo, Tanmo, Guru, Ninini and many other things. I love my language. I love the Yoruba language and I have started reading Yoruba books. When I was just in Primary 3, and at Primary 4 people were enjoying my reading. There was a day when I was in Primary 4,I went to a village with my friend and I saw a book there. Adio and Abeo, that is Aro meta. My friend first took the book. He read it but not perfectly. I grabbed it and read it so well that people were surprised and started giving me gifts. They gave me snails, you know, you then we were in the village. So I just love it and I built myself in that line. I love the Yoruba proverbs a lot. Whenever I am speaking or addressing people, it keeps flowing. Ask me to list 100 proverbs now, I may not get it but when I am talking, they keep coming.
Tell us about your education background?
There are 2 things I don’t lie about. One is my age and two is my educational background. In addition to my primary and secondary education, I am presently running my NCE programme. I am at 300 level and by God’s grace, I will conclude it in 2023.
Where is Awikonko from?
I am from Ile-Ife in Osun state but I am an Oyo man. It depends on how you figure it. I am an Oyo man from Ile-Ife.
Can you please clarify it?
Ile Ife is our origin. I am also related to Offa in Kwara State but my fore-fathers were from Oyo. Oloffa, Olugbon and Aresa were all in the army of Alaafin of Oyo before they later relocated to their permanent destinations. That is why I said I am from Ife but an Oyo man.
