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Veteran Actor, Alhaji AKINADE ADERENLE
Meeting popular veteran actor, Alhaji Akinade Aderenle for the first time, you immediately get the impression that he must be a very warm and young at heart gentleman. And you couldn’t be more accurate. The man is a jolly good fellow. He is always happy and bubbling with life. There is never a dull moment with this veteran actor who has had an acting career that has spanned well over 60 years. He is friends with another prominent Yoruba actor, Adebayo Salami known popularly as Oga Bello. They both ventured into actingg as young men at about the same time. He has featured in countless block buster movies that have at one time or the other projected his career as one of the most talented actors in the land.
Popularly known as the King of Bigger Boys, Alhaji Akinade Aderenle was at the movie premiere of Doyin Amodu’s movie, Ojo Ale, which featured lots of movie veterans in the industry. He spoke to City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) and shared a bit about his humble beginning with us. Enjoy.
Share with us your thoughts at this time about this great project put together by Doyin Amodu?
To tell you the truth, I am more than impressed. The only thing I have for that young lady, our daughter called Doyin Amodu, is prayers, nothing but prayers. If we had had many of such glorious child amongst us, that is bringing us together again after over 30 to 40 years that some of us last saw each other things would’ve been a lot different in the industry. In fact, she has done what no one else has done before. And she will continue to reap the benefits. She will never lack and I pray God continues to lift up her head and make her the glorious child that she is. I am really happy for her and for all of us. Doyin Amodu is the head of Actors group in the UK. And for somebody as young as she is to be so passionate about making life easier and happier for the old veterans, there is no way that she too will not find happiness and comfort in her old age.
Tell us, sir, what is the secret of your youthful look? Your face has not changed one bit, for decades now, you have always looked this young
I thank God for everything, it can only be God. A lot of people will be surprised to find out that by April 4 this year, I will cock 77 years of age. People tell me I don’t look my age but I know some won’t believe my age when I celebrate 77 years this coming April. So, why won’t I give thanks to God? It’s his mercy that I got, nothing more. I envy nobody. And I believe that wherever one has been destined to reach in life, he will surely get there. Whatever I cannot accomplish or acquire, I don’t go for it. I wait for God’s time and that has always been my guiding principle. I also relate well with both the young and old. I don’t believe I have enemies, I believe I am free with everybody. I am contented with the little that I have. I am satisfied with what God has done for me in life and what I have been able to achieve.
How did you get your nickname, the king of bigger boys’? What movie brought out the name?
No, it was not from a movie that I got the name, it was given to me by the people. It started from the Adebayo Salami group, they were the ones that started calling me Baba Yahooze. Later, they changed it to King of bigger boys and the name has stuck eversince. That is what most people in the industry call me today.
When you first started acting, sir, under who did you first learn the profession and what year was this?
Hummnn…it’s been a long time now that I started really. It was while I was in school that I started acting. I was a member of the dramatic group in school right from my primary school days till I proceeded to my secondary school. Then, while in secondary school, whenever I came home for the holidays, Baba Mero then was right behind our house in Lagos around Odunfa side. Adebayo Salami was my friend right from the very start. So, whenever I came home from school, I would go and join them in their rehearsals. So, I started with Ojo Ladipo. Once I returned home from school, I would always join them.
I worked with National Banking in Kano after that I started my own group right in Kano. It is in my blood then. When I came to Lagos after all those problems in Kano, I joined people like Oga Bello (Adebayo Salami) because we are very, very close. And because acting is in my blood it didn’t take much time before they recognised my potential in me.
What was your growing up days like and your educational background?
I grew up in Ibadan Western region then I started my primary school at CAC Oniyanrin inside Ibadan before I came to Lagos I finished my education in Lagos and I later went to RSS in Ishagamu, I did my HS before I travelled out to the UK.
I heard you once stayed at Kano? How true is that?
Yes, for a long time because I was transferred from National Banking in London to Kano which was 1978 and have been staying there before I decided to retire I spent almost 22 years in Kano.
How many years did you spend with Ojo Ladipo? Were you with the group till he passed away?
Ah, of cpourse, in fact, I had returned to Kano then. Before he died, we had done several television dramas together.
Which movie did you do that really brought you out and made you very popular?
Oh, wow, there were several movies to be honest. But the first one was the film titled, Teni nteni. The movie was produced by Opeyemi Aiyeola. I had been making a name for myself before then but it was that particular movie that really entrenched my name in the minds of many as a force to reckon with in the industry.
What advice do you have for younger ones who are also coming up, who want to do something like what Doyin Amodu is doing here today?
You see, it all depends on how passionate they are about helping others in the indusrty. If they really want to do something like this, then they should be very prayerful. They should also seek the face of God to know their purpose in life. They should not be in a hurry, all they need to do is pray hard and wait on God to direct them accordingly.
Do you possibly have any regrets about being an actor at all?
At all, I do not have any regrets at all. I am always happy and fulfilled with what I have achieved in life. Most of my kids are graduates. The remining will become graduates soon. I thank God for not letting what I chose as my profession to bring shame to me. I am so grateful to God for this.
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