REMEMBERING Ace Broadcaster, Toba Opaleye (1958-2006)

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One fateful day, d Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) studio was in chaos when one of its presenters didn’t show up for work. Chief Abiodun Sanda, Director Of Programmes, instructed his protege to play records to ensure no transmission gap.

The protege, trainee to become a broadcaster, went beyond d brief, as he did not just play re- cords, as instructed,he delivered a brilliant per- formance that became a reference point in br- oadcasting in Southwest, Nigeria. Chief Sanda was summoned by his superior, the art connoi- sseur par distinction, Adebayo Faketi,who dem- aded to know d new voice. That new voice was, TOBA OPALEYE.

Life for Toba Opaleye begin wit that August op- portunity he seized. Armed with a Higher Scho- ool Certificate, Toba Opaleye began his career at BCOS on that fateful day, 1st Dec. 1980.

Born Atobatele Okanlawon Opaleye on 13, July, 1958. He attended St Patrick’s & Islamic High Schools, Bashorun, Ibadan. His upringing was at once privileged & tough, haven lost his both parents as a child as he learnt to survive throu- gh sagacity & streets smarts. The young Toba was involved in various skirmishes & fistcuffs in Abebi interior, Ibadan, an area notorious for crime & other vices.

Mufu Oloosa Oko, a larger-than-life robbery kin- gping, ruled the streets of Abebi when he was growing up. Many yrs later, Toba would regale his radio audience witt the tale of Mufu Oloosa Oko. Those tales allegedly inspired the popular Odunlade Adekola’s film, “Mufu Oloosa Oko,” an adaptation of d true tales of the armed robber. Other notables mythical figures populating ma- my of his radio tales were the Egun Oloolu, Ala- pansapa & Ogbonkoko.

Toba presented progra’mes on BCOS for three years before transiting to Radio Nigeria, Ibadan in 1983 & then on to the Ogun State Broadcast- ing Corporation. Prolificient in Yoruba & English language, Toba smoothly wove between both d two languages to satisfy his often multilingual audience.

His ability impressed his fellow broadcasters & drew comparisons to his friend, Gbenga Adeb- oye. While Toba was calculated &assertive, Gb- ega was hurried &spontaneous. Between them, Yoruba language &broadcasting stepped to un- precedented heights that were aspirational to their cohort of broadcasters.

In d 1990s, names like Toba Oba Opaleye, Bas- hiru Adisa, aka Baba Gboin, Ambrose Somide, Kola Tunde Elegbede, Olusesan Ekisola, Kenny Keke Ogungbe, Peter Okodua, Segun “Shy Shy” Shyllon , Felix Femi Fasina, Bimbola Sowoolu, Ghenga Adeboye, Kola Olawuyi & many others were on d rooster wen switched d OGBC 2 FM & other radio stations.

Olusesan Ekisola failed to convinced Toba to join the Dokpesi-owned RayPower when it took off in 1996. At d prodding of Gbenga Adeboye, Toba resigned frm OGBC in 1997 to become an
independent broadcaster. They formed d Free- lance & Independent Broadcasters’ Association Of Nigeria (FIBAN) & today, FIBAN has become household associatn for broadcasters wanting to run multi programme acros several stations.

Toba dazzled as an independent broadcaster, presenting programmes with well researched content, across several stations. Some of his several programmes includes, “Ayo & Toba” on Oyo Radio,”Toba Opaleye on FM” on OGBC, “Eko For Show” on Eko FM, “Ijeun Agba” on Paramo- unt FM, “Lehin Igbeti” on Star FM, with Tony To- ero & “Eto Baba Eto” on Radio OYO. Of his prog- rammes, the OGBC-run “Toba Opaleye on FM” took the crown.

A devoted writer wit scores of stories to his cr- edit, Toba published a book in 1996 titled, “Esu Amule ti,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Ham- let. He also published “Bawo Ni” a 1990 novel & a play titled, “Oluronbi.” At his creative peak, he ventured into movie production, music market- ing & artiste management. He co-produced “Ol- ugbeja” in early 90s & much later wrote & prod- uced “Igbaladogi” (an odysey of wayward wom- an) & its sequel.

Others were “Abeni Onipangbe,” “Yemisi Owere- ke” & “Aso Esu Beleke.” Those feature films rul- ed the cinemas & home videos in d late 1990’s & early 2000s. At his death, Toba had over 100 unpublished scripts including, “Alimi Janganja- again,””Mufu Oloosa Oko,” “Yesufu,” “The Vacant Stool,” “Ojo Loko Agbado, “Kekere Ori Ejo” & ma- ny more.

Toba was a creative genius to an accomplish- ed broadcaster, as Chief Abiodun Sanda, d Oyo prince under whose tutulage Toba learnt the tr- de, still uses him as an example of a natural br- oadcaster. With relish, he would tell tales of To- ba’s genius & rascality as a young broadcaster.

Toba obtained a diploma in Mass Comm at the University Of Lagos & then proceeded to the Ni- gerian Institute Of Journalism for an Advanced Diploma in Mass Comm &a Postgraduate cour- se in Marketing. At his graduation, he bagged d awards for the Overall Best Student & d revered Chief Dayo Duyile Prize for the Best Student in Precision Journalism.He also obtained an MBA in Marketing from Ondo State University, npw Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo.

Toba lived for d arts & gave his all to creativity. As a music promoter & manager, he provided his platforms for the up-coming & established musicians on his programmes, as many would come out of town & sleep in his home to attend his mornin’ programme. His son, Olusesi, reco- llects meeting the Fuji legend, Alabi Pasuma d first time in their home when he passed d night on their couch.

Like many of his peers, Toba loved life & savou- red every bit of it. Perhaps, dis resulted frm him losing his parents early in life, or his well-docu- mented social leanin’, as he was married to two women, Oyeyiinka & Abiola (deceased), who he called “Olori & Erelu,” respectively. His romantic endearments for the two women who made his home.

Toba who would’ve been 65 yrs today, died on on April 30, 2006 from a kidney related ailment. Aged 47, he was survived by six children name- ly, Oyeyemi, Olusesi, Oluwafeni (deceased),Om- salewa, Omowonuola & Omotinuola.

Atobatele Okanlawon Opaleye may have transi- ted, his works remain indelible in pantheon of broadcasting in today’s Nigeria. Rest on, Toba.