Steve Ayorinde (middle), Jahman Anikulapo (left) with Ben Tomoloju (right) at the event.

FUNKE OSAE-BROWN

The tables were well laid, the stage set as we all trooped into the meeting room at the top floor of one of the buildings at the Freedom Park, Marina, Lagos to celebrate the first man to change the game in the way arts writers and journalists are perceived.

Steve Ayorinde is the first Nigerian arts journalist to be named a commissioner in Lagos State. It was therefore right that Association of Cultures and Arts Writers of Nigeria (ACWAN) organised a get-together for friends of Ayorinde to celebrate him at the Freedom Park on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

He walked in spotting a black buba and soro with a blue cap to match. His mien was still the same, quiet and unassuming. No policeman, no visible security man behind him as he was ushered into the hall followed by poet and journalist, Akeem Lasisi and Alhaji Kabir, The Guardian Editor. He moved from table to table greeting and fraternising with everyone. One could tell he felt at home being here.

Before long, the event began with Shuaibu Husseini, film critic for The Guardian newspaper on Sunday and a disciple of Ayorinde, anchoring the proceedings.

In his opening remarks as the chairman of the occasion, Ben Tomoloju, said the history of arts and culture journalism in the country has been vindicated with Ayorinde’s appointment as a commissioner for information and strategy, Lagos state.

“This is a very momentous occasion,” he said at the commencement of his remark. “A phase in the life of a journalist who has paid his dues, who has risen above discriminations and the conservative block of the newsroom. The history of arts journalism has peaked such that you can see a human being that has been exemplary.”

Tomoloju who under his tutelage discovered and nurtured Ayorinde’s talent in arts writing especially music reporting said he saw the determination in Ayorinde when he used to shuttle between Lagos and Ibadan as a young man from a very humble background.

“He was well read concerning his beat, music and he later moved to movie and broke into film, and became a member of the juror of many international film festivals.”

While closing his remarks, Tomoloju admonished Ayorinde not to forget his constituency, arts. “You have been given a portfolio where you can pretend you never had anything to do with the arts writers. I am sure you will not forget your constituency. Information without culture is empty. Be an obedient servant that you should be.”

The history of arts and culture journalism in the country has been vindicated with Ayorinde’s appointment as a commissioner for information and strategy, Lagos state.

Akeem Lasisi’s performance of his poem, ‘The Jinx Breaker’, a special tribute to Steve Ayorinde, would later set the tone for the evening. In the poem, Lasisi chronicles the history of arts that is often regarded as a never-do-well craft. But Ayorinde breaks the jinx with his appointment as a commissioner changing the perception that arts journalists cannot be appointed into such positions.

Lasisi’s performance was followed by a five minute Jazz performance for Ayorinde who is a lover of Jazz music. He tapped his fingers on arm rest of his seat while his right foot moved simultaneously to the rhythm of the music.

His citation was later read by Funke Osae-Brown, publisher/ managing editor, The Luxury Reporter. This was followed by a talk by Layi Adeniji on ‘The Journalist, Artist and Government: An Overview’.

Adeniji said the moment Ayorinde was announced as a commissioner nominee, he knew arts journalists are in trouble. “It was not Steve that was in trouble,” he explained. “When we gather like this, we pretend we are celebrating an individual; meanwhile we are setting up landmines for the person. I don’t envy Steve at all. I’m quietly enjoying my loot where I work. Some people don’t remember that I exist there. When we host our friends who have the misfortune of being appointed government official because in the next two, three years his words will be used against him. Steve has spent a considerable number of years interrogating government. Now, he is on the other side.”

He added that arts journalists need to make a commitment that they are going to help Steve perform on his job because if he fails, all of them have failed. “Jahman wouldn’t have been Sunday Editor if Ben T was not Deputy Editor of The Guardian. Steve Ayorinde would not have been Editor of the Punch and MD of Mirror, if Jahman was not Editor of Sunday Guardian. So you see how these things connect. I told Mr Ayorinde you are in trouble. If Steve succeeds, that means all of us have succeeded. It’s in my personal interest for Steve to succeed. Bigger assignments for him in Our State, Oyo.”

Akeem Lasisi’s performance of his poem, ‘The Jinx Breaker’, a special tribute to Steve Ayorinde, would later set the tone for the evening.

One of Ayonrinde’s close associates and former editor The Guardian on Sunday, Jahman Anikulapo recalled his days at the Rutam House with Ayorinde in the newsroom. “I’m not the emotional type but I’m emotional today. Steve was still a student when he started coming around to The Guardian. Came in through Supplement Unit; Steve Ayorinde singlehandedly wrote the MUSON into limelight. Made history by writing a news story on music which appeared on Front Page of Guardian when Ben T was still Deputy Editor. Steve diversified into movie; he interviewed the man who coined the name Nollywood. Started bringing actresses to newsroom at Guardian.

“When Steve and Layi left Guardian in 1999 was when I started disconnecting. Wept inside my office when they said they were leaving. His Dad was supposed to be a commissioner in Oyo State 30-something years ago but politics prevented him. Steve, Layi, Sola Balogun, Ozolua supported me when Guardian started daily arts pages.”

Broadcaster and general manager, Radio One, Funke Treasure Durodola also paid tribute to Ayorinde. According to her, it is always great to have journalists take leadership positions in the society. “We seldom celebrate ourselves but this is a landmark for one of us. Having a kinsman from Ibadan becoming a commissioner in Lagos heart-warming. There is a herculean task ahead; Lagos government is being bashed already but I know he can do it.”

Dayo Oketola, News Editor, Saturday Punch said Ayorinde knows how to discover new talents. “He brough me into Punch. He has the capacity to identify talent and develop them. He never shouted on reporters, builds confidence and he is a good talent scout.”

In his response, Ayorinde promised he won’t let his constituency down. “Without Ben T, there won’t be Steve Ayorinde. This means so much to me because this is my constituency. I won’t let our constituency down. I was discovered and nurtured by Ben T. I learnt a quality from him, to be principled. He made me realise that principle comes before everything. He also told me when I was leaving the Guardian in 1999: ‘don’t be afraid of moving; learn to confront any challenge. Additional responsibility doesn’t kill; sometimes you never know what you are capable of when promotion comes.’ This government does not see culture as an appendage to others; it is a full-fledged ministry of arts, culture and tourism manned by Folly Coker. Larger media is my constituency, not just arts and culture. Governor Ambode won’t shy away from the challenges of running an alternate country. I welcomes idea, support and assistance.”