- Prince David Adeniyi Ademokoya JP, also known as “Ajewole Baba Ijesa
- Contributions to Yoruba movie industry
- More than 6-month abduction in kidnappers’ den
- Collapse of businesses and fame
- Call for financial support and intervention
The lyrics of a song by Gbenga Falope Jr., in which he urges young people not to mock the weak and old because they too will age, were better understood by the reporter when he encountered Prince David Adeniyi Ademokoya JP, also known as “Ajewole Baba Ijesa,” who was constantly active, versatile, young, handsome, and active in his prime.
The philosophical importance of someone saying, “Tomorrow can be scary,” cannot be fully understood unless those who witnessed the delivery of tomorrow’s pregnancy choose to share their own perspectives.
When information about ‘Ajewole Baba Ijesha’s’ terrible condition and the terrible avalanche of challenges he had to confront in life appeared on the internet via Isaac Hastrup’s page, WITHIN NIGERIA got in touch with Hastrup, who served as a ‘guide’ when the reporter visited the home of ‘Ajewole Baba Ijesa.
Directly across from the Timbuk gas station in Ayeso is the home of “Ajewole Baba Ijesha.” This residence is a short distance from Ayeso Police Command. When the reporter got out of the car, he noticed two persons crossing the street. For directions to Baba Ijesa’s home, the reporter asked them. They were amazed and informed the reporter of his present rape-related imprisonment.
The reporter assumed they were referring to the well-known comedian and film director, Baba Ijesa who is currently in prison over sexual assault. The reporter dialed Isaac Hastrup, a broadcaster for Gold 95.5fm, who came out to meet him and they walked into the home of the seasoned broadcaster and Nollywood actor, Ajewole Baba Ijesha.
The reporter noticed the crumbling wall, broken louvered windows, and outdated roof of the one-story structure across the street as we entered. This building is in desperate need of repair.
Because of the front view’s painting, the reporter never anticipated that the interior of the building may be in poor condition. We could immediately tell there was a lack of infrastructure and property decay as soon as we entered the building. In fact, it was an eyesore.
There were numerous obvious cracks, antique furniture, cracked cement flooring, and other issues at the time this reporter arrived. The inside of the house is not particularly impressive, with worn garments hanging on the wall and obvious fractures.”Ajewole Baba Ijesa” lightly touched the reporter and he sat down on a wooden structure that had been cut out of an old shelf. The main question, “What happened?” was later dropped by the reporter as he sat on the chair. As he shook his head and gave the reporter a confident-sounding look, “Ajewole Baba Ijesha” broke the silence and said ‘Life happened’.
Prince David Adeniyi Ademokoya, often known as “Baba Ijesa,” was born in December, 1947. The 76-year-old veteran broadcaster and Ijesa-born studied acting and filmmaking under the guidance of the late Duro Ladipo. He has a remarkable ability for singing Adamo, a traditional music style primarily linked with the Ijesa people. He served as the previous Ilesa Rotary Club president, Ijesa’s Social Elite Club former head of social and publicity, and Ijesa’s former Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) coordinator. He worked as a freelance broadcaster for Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), and the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC). Additionally, he appeared in a number of well-known films, including “Bi eyi o se,” “Oba koso,” “Moremi,” and others.
Olatunbosun Abe, a late “Hinpele O’ International’ presenter was one of his mentees.
The profile of Ajewole Baba Ijesa was highlighted by the reporter so that readers might better comprehend the type of person he was back then. What actually took place? Again, the reporter enquired. “I was doing great.” I wedded two women. Eight children were born to the first wife, while two were born to the second. Before I had an accident on the Ilesa to Ibadan route, when my automobile somersaulted more than three times, we had a really happy family, and everything was going well.
As the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) organizer in Ijesaland, my team and I caught a number of thieves and made life miserable for them in Ilesa. It was quite difficult. They retaliated by abducting me for several months. Among other things, I endured a great deal of spiritual cleaning in addition to being beaten. He continued, “They made life miserable for me until I escaped from their midst.
The situation had gotten out of hand by the time ‘Ajewole Baba Ijesa’ returned home after escaping from the thieves who had been holding him captive for months, according to him. That was the start of my slide from grace in the media. He said regretfully, “I lost contracts, clients, and contacts.
I don’t like to be idle. As a substitute, I started farming. Years later, I began a rice business and purchased a pick-up truck. I ran numerous businesses, all of which were unsuccessful. My father’s home is where I reside. I’m not driving. I simply chose to keep a low profile, which caused depression and the initiation of alcohol use.
Ajewole Baba Ijesha revealed that he has been getting financial support from notable Ijesha children while thanking Isaac Hastrup, a well-known broadcaster in Ijesaland and blogger, for taking up his case.
Ijesha’s community members deserve a sincere thank you. They have helped me ever since Isaac Hastrup took up my case. I feel better now that I’ve stopped drinking alcohol. He said, “I have restarted my radio program at Gold 99.5fm, sponsored by Egbe Omo Obokun of Ijesaland (North America and Canada).
Isaac Hastrup, an Ijesa-born broadcaster, disclosed to WITHIN NIGERIA that he first encountered “Ajewole Baba Ijesa” in 1998 or 1999 while participating in his required Industrial Training program, when he was encouraged to register at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
Isaac Hastrup told WITHIN NIGERIA that one of his friends alerted him to Ajewole Baba Ijesa’s awful condition and pleaded with him to look into the situation. This is how he first learned about the legendary broadcaster. Hastrup claims the friend complained that, among other things, he did not appreciate seeing “Ajewole Baba Ijesa” wandering aimlessly and imbibing himself into a stupor.
I located Ajewole Baba Ijesa after searching for him. I got in touch with one of his kids, and she gave me the go-ahead to carry out my plans. I recorded a live video for him on my page and was happy to see that some people still recognized him. As of right now, we have donations totaling N300,000, and we are still confident that additional money will come in, Hastrup continued.
Additionally, I got in touch with Chief Femi Osobukola, the National Chairman of Egbe Omo Obokun of Ijesaland (North America and Canada), and they paid for three months of radio airtime for him. Ijesa Sports Club President Mr. Kayode Arimoro released money to support his personal recovery and well-being. We received N50,000 from a distinguished son of Ijesaland to buy food and other necessities.
Baba Ajewole needs a phone for studio recordings and live video during his program, according to Hastrup, a member of the Gold 95.5fm staff.
“In the morning, we were given N50,000 for the phone.” In actuality, the balance was forwarded while you were speaking with Baba Ajewole. I also want to thank Hon. Remi Omowaiye for his donation of an LG television and a GOTV cable, which he made after hearing one of his programs and realizing that Baba Ajewole needed to be informed about how things have changed over the years as a result of his years away from radio and television.
Hastrup claims that Ogunmokun, a supporter of Hon. Remi Omowaiye made a commitment to paint the upper floor of Baba Ajewole’s home and provide new clothes for the walls, among other improvements.
Baba Ajewole told me he wants to build his own house and live there before he passes away, therefore we are asking for further help. He also needs assistance with housework. Hastrup continued, “He’s responding to treatment just as well.”
Isaac Hastrup and PA Ajewole Baba Ijesa smiled and shook hands with the reporter. Other rooms are empty and in a decrepit state, he noticed after scanning the entire structure. He had two things in mind as soon as he left the building. The other was a thought that took the form of a query. One was a prayer. I hope this old man’s head isn’t crushed by this crumbling house. What is it about life that causes people to rush around aimlessly after their vanity? Upon looking down, the reporter noticed Pa Ajewole Baba Ijesa standing in front of his father’s house beaming. Those who laugh heartily do, in fact, harbor a reserve of melancholy.