’Yinka ADETUNJI
Popular broadcast personality Mr. Fatai Olayinka Adiyeloja last Sunday, January 3, had a double celebration – he clocked 60 years of age and retired from the services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). It was a glamorous occasion as friends, family members and colleagues gathered at the premises of NTA, Osogbo, where the man fondly called “Fatty” served last, to honour him.
Though the party was massively scaled down due to the resurgent covid-19 pandemic but that did not diminish the glamour and thrills of the event.
Adiyeloja trying hid hand on gangan drum
People from Fatai Adiyeloja’s primary constituency – staff of NTA, were prominent among the guests with the Director General of NTA and Zonal Director, Ibadan Network Centre, Mrs. Omolola Oloyede, both represented by Assistant Director, News, NTA Ibadan, Mr. Ademolu Okuneye, leading other colleagues to the event. Some other NTA staffers at the party were Mrs. Funke Ibidamito and Mrs. Kemi Akinwande.Others from the media world are Mr. Clement Adeyi from Daily Sun newspaper; Mr. Adewuyi Adegbite, a historian and public affairs commentator; and Mr. & Mrs. Femi Ogunlana, publisher, The Insight newsmagazine.
Dignitaries also included Chief Mrs. Anike Obott, a top theatre practitioner; Mr. Sanya Ademola, a retired school principal; Chief & Mrs. Dele Awosiyan from London, UK; and Hon. Mulika Akande-Adeola represented by Alhaja Taibat Adigun a.k.a. Sibesibe.
Cutting the cakeSpeaking on behalf of his bosses, Mr. Okuneye, who said he had known Adiyeloja for over 30 years, described him as an extraordinary personality, devoted to duty, hardworking and a professional to the core.
“I have known Fatai Olayinka Adiyeloja for over 30 years and those 30 years have proved wonderful because he has been an extraordinary personality in terms of behaviour; this is somebody we all know as a broadcaster, he started as an announcer at NTA, Abeokuta. He has good delivery ability and he is intellectually sound. He ventured into photography for about ten years, he came back and he still performed well.
“Though that affected his rise in the service but he never cared about that, about title, position or what people feel proud of. He remains humble, he is always conscious of his behaviour, character and integrity.”
He added, “The zonal director sends me to express our appreciation to him for his outstanding performance. He was news announcer, news director, producer, OIC NTA Ogbomoso and OIC NTA Saki, and he ran documentaries.
To the. dance floor…In her remark, Anike Obott portrays the celebrant not merely as a wise man but as “a man that combines wisdom with understanding and knowledge. He is a multi-talented man. ”
Alhaja Akande-Adeola, who similarly celebrated her diamond jubilee last November, speaking through her representative stated that she had had a long relationship with Adiyeloja stressing that “his good character continues to bind us together. In fact he served as MC during my birthday. I wish him long life and peaceful retirement.”
In his own, Chief Awosiyan maintained that the “birthday boy” is a goal getter and that he pursues whatever he desires with vigour.
Expressing gratitude to God and to the guests at the occasion, Adiyeloja said he was happy retiring when the ovation was loudest.
He now assured, “I look at it, it is going to be better than at NTA, I am launching into greater heights.”
Kakaki entertained guests with his unique music.
