Star Actor, IJEBU Tells City People
Tayo Amokade Ijebu popularly known as Ijebu is a well known actor. He’s undoubtedly doing well in his own capacity. He has produced several movies, and he’s one actor that is very relevant till date.
Ijebu has been acting for the past 25 years. But he recently opened a lounge in his hometown, Ilisan.
Few days ago City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN had an interview with him and he revealed why he opened the lounge. Excerpt.
Let me start by congratulating you, you just opened a very beautiful lounge in Ilisan, if I may ask, how do you feel seeing how people turn out for you the day you opened it?
Thank you so much. My name is Olatayo Amokade, popularly called Ijebu, and I am the CEO of IJB Lounge. First and foremost, I want to give all glory to Almighty God for His mercy upon my life and my family. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has shown me love and support.
I have often discussed with my managers and my wife the importance of being present for one another. There are times when we are available to support our colleagues, and times when we are not. Nevertheless, I have always made it a point to show up for others when they call on me.
I remember when I built my house people came out to support me in a big way. That meant a lot to me, and in turn, I have made it a priority to support others, whether it’s through my work as an MC at various events or simply attending gatherings hosted by my friends and colleagues. For instance, I’ve often visited hotels in Lekki to support my peers during their events.
So, when it was time for me to celebrate, I was truly touched by the turnout and support I received in return. Some friends even showed up around 11:30pm at midnight, which speaks volumes about their love and commitment.
So why Ilisan?
First and foremost, I am a proud son of Ilishan, born to parents from this wonderful town. I have built my home in Ikorodu, where I have established a life for my wife and children. With that foundation, I felt a strong desire to give back to my community.
When I opened IJB Lounge, I was overwhelmed by the support I received from Ilishan indigenes around the world messages and calls poured in from London, America, and Canada. They expressed their excitement about having a place like this back home, and it warmed my heart to know that our community was eager to engage and celebrate together.
In my perspective, I wanted to create something meaningful for myself and my future. I believe that while we can plan our lives, it’s ultimately God who guides our paths. It’s as if He is setting up opportunities for us, and we can only do our best to follow His lead.
I am committed to building a legacy, not just for my children, but for myself as well. I want to ensure that I can stand on my own and not solely rely on my kids. In the future, I’d like to be the one offering support, not the one waiting for it. My goal is to create a stable future for myself and my family.
I know it is not only the lounge you have there. What other businesses are you doing?
Yes, I have been involved in helping people build apartments and hotels. These individuals are like family to me, and they come from America. They placed their trust in me and asked, “Can you help us with this?”
I purchased land for them and oversaw the construction of their apartment and hotel. I’m excited to share that the hotel is set to open by June or July.
So you’re also into real estate?
I am also involved with IJB Homes and Property, where I supervise and monitor the delivery of construction materials. Whenever materials arrive, I record videos and send them to clients to keep them informed about the process. I oversee projects from start to finish, including purchasing land for clients in Ogun State, particularly in my hometown, Ilisan-Remo.
So let’s talk about the brand. How long have you been the Ijebu brand? How long has it been now? When did you start. And then? Now what are the successes that we have recorded so far?
The Ijebu brand has been around for over 25 years now. Yes, 25 years! When I say I want to celebrate 25 years on stage, people will surely agree. I’ve been pushing this forward, and I thank God for the support I’ve received along the way.
Throughout these 25 years on stage, I’ve learned that no champion remains on top forever. There’s always a current champion, new talents will emerge. To stay relevant, you have to adapt and innovate. This year, I started calling myself “Machala Gbogbo Remo,” and people really embraced it.
I was inspired by Wizkid when I saw him wearing a singlet top while he went to greet King Wasiu Ayinde on stage. That singlet could be worth anywhere from 20,000 to 1 million naira, but he chooses to live a simple life. His style reminds me that you don’t need to wear extravagant clothing to be recognized as a big personality.
In America, for instance, people have the freedom to express themselves however they choose some to even go about in very casual attire. So I decided to adopt a similar approach and began wearing singlet myself.
Even when Malaika came that day, he referred to me as “Machala Gbogbo Remo,” which felt like a divine endorsement of the name. I have immense respect for all musicians, including Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Asake, but I wanted to carve out my unique identity as “Machala.
Let’s talk about your journey, 25 years down the line. from acting to being a CEO, What has life taught you?
Let me put it this way: life has taught me a lot. I have a personal assistant who has been with me for a year now, and he has learned so much from me. One of the key lessons I try to impart is the importance of having a forgiving spirit. I often reflect on what people will say about me after I’m gone, especially since I carry the name IJEBU.
Through my experiences, I’ve learned both positive and negative lessons. My parents instilled in me the significance of maintaining our family’s reputation. I believe it’s essential to honor that name and legacy. So, as we grow older and eventually depart from this earth, we must strive not to tarnish our names.
