Stardom has opened doors- D1

WM: You were once in the educational line and you verged off into the entertainment industry. Why the swift change in career? Dayo Adeneye: I’ve always wanted to join entertainment but when you live in a country like America where entertainers are everywhere, it was really tough to be able to get into the industry […]

WM: You were once in the educational line and you verged off into the entertainment industry. Why the swift change in career?

Dayo Adeneye: I’ve always wanted to join entertainment but when you live in a country like America where entertainers are everywhere, it was really tough to be able to get into the industry with them. Teaching was something I had to do somewhere before I made the decision to join the entertainment industry.

WM:  So would you say entertainment has always been your dream career or it was as a result of a failed dream somewhere along the line?

D1: No dreams are failed dreams but they are only waiting for the right time and opportunity to manifest. I’ve always taken my life in segments. I do one thing at a time. Before I went into teaching, I also worked a bit in management. And when I’m through with entertainment I would move into something else. I take things bit by bit….

WM: Taking about moving on to something else when you are done with entertainment, how true is the rumour that you were planning on vying for Governor of Lagos state?

D1: (General Laughter):  That is a very funny one Amina. How come you are in Abuja and you get all these gists? Anyway,we can never say never but I mean politics is not something I’m ready for right now. I’m not ready for it yet….

WM: But you are surely going into politics sometime in the future?

D1: Well, I mean politics is not something that we will just get up one day and say we are going into. We have to start from somewhere.  We might want to improve the economy and lives of people generally so if we cannot do that through entertainment or other means and the only way to do it is through politics, then why not? If there is a level playing ground and the options are good, fine, I would consider that but for now, I’m stuck with entertainment.

WM:  Since you are not going into politics, do we see D1 going into Nollywood very soon?

D1: Like I said, never say never, if you look around, I have featured in some clips…

WM: We are talking about full time in Nollywood?

D1: I really cannot say for now. I would rather leave my options open.

WM: You and Keke Ogungbe have come a very long way, 25 years to be precise.  How did you guys meet?

D1: We went to the same school, we were in the same class and we studied the same course. From there we became friends, we had the same ideas and everything took off from there. And here we are today giving praise and thanks to the Almighty for the journey so far.

WM: You guys have come this far all these years. Have there been any personal clashes?

D1:  We are two different individuals and of course we always disagree, agree and come to a solution on many issues. But of course I would not call them clashes, we are in a working environment where we are bound to have arguments and disagree to agree and agree to disagree whatever the case may be as long as we are making progress and moving forward. We have respect for each other.

WM: Stardom comes along with its own disadvantage how do you handle crazy fans especially the female ones?

D1: The same way I handle most people around me. They say hello and I respond politely and move on. But when it comes to some crazy fans, you take it in its stride. I mean you are in the public eye and you have to be prepared for some of these things. The basic thing is that you do not let it overwhelm you. You have to take the good and the bad of stardom.

WM: You are married, how does your wife react to some of these situations?

D1: My wife doesn’t hang around me most times. She has her own life to live but she understands what I do and she knows I am a public figure. She knew who I was and what I do and what the entertainment industry entails before she married me. So we are ok with it and we are happy with our lives.

WM: When you guys started primetime entertainment, many did not believe that you guys could make a difference or hold you own. How have you been able to remain on top of your game?

DI:  Simple if you believe in what you are doing, your goal and you have a passion for it, you should have a set goal and objectives and not letting people dictate to you how you go about achieving your objectives. In life, people will always tell you it cannot be done but life itself has proven so many times that it can be done despite all odds. Progress has always been achieved in this same life, so what stops one from making a head start and making a difference? So I always try to make it a positive part of my life that I can do anything once I set my mind on it and that I can also achieve it and make a breakthrough!

WM: Primetime entertainment has visited a lot of places around the world where standard event venues are in place. Are you guys thinking of putting up such a standard event center in Nigeria since the country lacks one right now?

D1: Well, we are just two people out of 150 million people and we alone cannot do everything. That is where we need good and patriotic Nigerians to come out and do that. I mean we cannot do everything by ourselves we need to have support from people too! We did not come into entertainment to build an event center but if it’s something that we get support for, we will surely do it.

WM: Twenty five years down memory lane, you guys have seen it all, met the stars, have driven posh cars, gone to Grammies and carnivals. Which would you say is the most exciting experience for you?

D1: I would say those were exciting but it does remain exciting when people stop us and give us words of encouragement and say to us ‘ we like what you do, keep doing what you do, my son admires you and wants to be like you…’ and so many other compliments. So these are some of my exciting moments and which give me the courage to keep doing what I do.

WM: Has stardom brought you any embarrassing moments?

D1: I would not say embarrassing par say of course there are the pros and cons of stardom. But the most important and better part of stardom is that it opens doors for you.

WM: All these years what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

D1: I’m yet to achieve my greatest achievement. Once you have achieved what you wish in life it means it is time for you to die! I’ve not done anything yet. I’m still working and very hard at it. I still have a lot of things to do in life….

WM: Like what?

D1: (laughing) I’m not going to discuss my future plans and ambition on the pages of newspapers, if I do the whole essence is lost!

WM: What are the qualities that you expect from an artiste to sign up with your label?

D1: He has to be talented, have the passion, charisma and zeal for entertainment. He also has to have this attitude that he is going to make it in the entertainment industry here in Nigeria.

WM:  What would you say to this assumption people have about Primetime entertainment signing on only already made stars in the industry?

D1: Like I said, we are in a country of over 150million people and I run a business. I run it the way I want to and no one is going to tell me how to go about running my business. No one tells Dangote or Mike Adenuga how to go about running their businesses. The way I structure and run my business is up to me and me alone.

WM:  So, when re you guys bringing a Grammy Award to Nigeria?

D1: (Laughter). I was hoping you would not come close to that question. Well, I would say I am not an artiste neither am I a musicsian. So you are asking the wrong guy…

WM: You have most of these people on your label, so you are part of them…

D1: Well, we do not do the scripting. So I think you should re-direct your question to them.

WM: What big hit are we expecting from your label anytime soon?

D1: I for one do not like talking about what I plan to do. I just go ahead and do it and let Nigerians be the judge of it. Just sit tight and watch.

WM: What has marriage taught you that you never knew about yourself?

D1: It has taught me to be more patient in life and very tolerant. When you live with another human being you have to imbibe these virtues in you.

WM: Do you ever find time to relax in between your busy schedules?

D1: I read a lot. Watch movies and play a lot with my kids and we go out to unwind most times.

WM: How long have you been married?

D1: For over ten years.

WM: What is that unique thing about your wife?

D1: That she loves me for whom I am.

WM: Your last take for your teeming fans?

D1: We just want to say we are grateful that they are always there for us. Without them we would never have been where we are today. We want to say thank you, for believing in us, supporting us and we want to promise them that we would not let them down. We will continue to make Nigeria and Africa proud.