We will not allow his dream to die - Boisala (Baba Sala’s Son)

Yemi Olakitan 

Adejumo Emmanuel, popularly known as Boisala is one of Moses Olaiya, Baba Sala’s son who has taken after his father in the area of comedy, music and filmmaking. Boisala is determined to follow in his father’s steps.

A graduate of Theater Arts from the Lagos State University, he reveals many sides of his father, plans to build on his famous father’s legacy of arts and humour and burial arrangements. Excerpts:

·     . What will you miss about dad?

First of all, my name is Adejumo Emmanuel, popularly known as Boisala. Like my father, I am a comedian, musician, and theater director. I work with the Federal Government at the National Troupe of Nigeria.  I am one of Moses Olaiya Adejumo’s sons.  My father was an eclectic artiste, one we all will miss greatly.  I personally will miss his encouragement, most especially his prayers. My daddy prays for all of us all the time. If he calls you, he prays, when you call him, he prays. He loved God so much and encouraged all of us to serve and worship him. He picked out humour in everything. He takes life very simple. I will miss him a lot and we will all miss him.

·     . How do you plan to build on his legacy?

I am moving on with his legacy. He once told me he didn’t want this business to die with him. He wants us to continue where he stopped. This is why he employed some of us when he was at his peak in the business so that we can learn the way he was doing it.

He trained me and gave me advice all the time. I thank the Lord that I am following his footsteps. It is working for me. I will like to continue to improve on what he has done and develop more ideas with my siblings, his staff that he left behind.  This task is not for just me alone but for all of brothers, my sisters and you the media. We need you.

·     How do you think the Federal Government can immortalize him? 

I think the Federal Government should do something good to immortalize him, probably by naming one Arts Center in his name or any other monument that befits him because of his contribution to the development of arts In Nigeria and for putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians at home and abroad. The family is working hard to do our part though. We have launched his biography last year at Eko Hotel in Lagos. We are planning many other projects as well. We intend to produce some of his movie scripts again. There is going to be a Theater School in his name and Scholarship awards to students in some selected Universities to encourage Arts and Comedy in Nigeria. As you know our father was a musician, dramatist and filmmaker as well. So we intend to package more of all these things with time for the enjoyment of Nigerians.

·     What was it like growing up with such a legend and creative mind?

It is a privilege coming to life through him. If there is another life I will still come through him. His name has open doors for me. Where ever, I go when they discover that I am his son, they respect and give me assistance. Growing up in a humour house was something else! We love Daddy and daddy loved us. If you come to our house you will know that there is love in the air. We all eat from the same pot. You wont know who is mum. We all sleep in any room with our mothers. We had two nannies that cooked for us, which we called them Iya Adura number one and Iya Adura number two.

We play a lot and mimicked our father’s acts on stage. Daddy used to throw a party for us every December. Children from other streets usually come to join us. My daddy checked our academic progress all the time. If you fail in school you get punished. He played with us a lot. Sometimes, he features us in his plays. I see him as not just a father but also a mentor.  He respected and loved our mothers a lot and we all love him too. Whenever, daddy travelled to the UK, he usually come home with toys, gifts and all kinds of things for his children.

·     What plans are on ground for the burial arrangement?

We will start with a symposium at the National Arts Theatre on the 29^th of November. It is going to be the first Moses Olaiya Adejumo Public Lectures. Theatre Arts students and groups performances will be the main activities on that day. This will be followed by a mega concert also in his honour. This concert will take place at the Lagos television on the 30^th of November. On Monday 3^rd of December, we are going top do lying in state at the National Arts Theatre with tributes from government officials, Theater Arts gurus, film makers and the media. The body will arrive for lying in state at Oshogbo on Wednesday 5^th of December on same Wednesday.

There is going to be a service at the Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Ilesha by 5p and on the 6^th of December, we are going for the Christian Wake keeping by 4pm while all the theatre Artistes gather for the Artiste night on that same night at Ilesha. On the 7^th of December, the service starts in his church by 9am and the interment follows immediately while all the guests move to the reception.

·     Can you mention some of your achievements in the arts so far?

 Well I have achieved a lot by the grace of God. I am popularly known as Boisala, the musician, dramatist, filmmaker, and comedian. The name Boisala was given to me by Arnold Udoka at the University of Calabar by God’s grace. My father’s name opens many doors for me. I have acquired a University education, performed in many big productions here in Nigeria and abroad, I have a comedy program. I called Boisala and Company. I have also released four music albums. My father featured in my first music album. He also launched the album for me. I have produced my own movie and I am planning another one before my father died. There are many achievements by God’s grace and I am still counting.

·     He must have encouraged you a lot?

Yes, Dad helped and encouraged me immensely because he wanted me to follow his foots steps. He had seen this in me from childhood. I always mimicked him so he was determined to mentor me so that I can keep up his legacy. He sent me to a dance company at Ibadan first to study Dance. Later, he sent me to learn Camera and film production. Then, Acting and Editing. He gave me many books on Theater Arts and encouraged me a lot when I set up my own company.

When I tell people I am Baba Sala’s son. They said, no wonder, they see it in me. Resources come to me easily when I mention his name. It’s like a password. To that I am very grateful to God.  I joined Ogun state Cultural Center by just mentioning his name. My Director Mrs. Yemisi Olarenwaju took me as her son and mentored me. I have other mentors like Mr. Yinka Kareem who will do anything to train me well just because I am Baba Sala’s son. When I joined the National Troupe, my father was so happy that he called the then Professor Ahmed Yerima to thank him. The professor immediately began another round of training just because I am Baba Sala’s son. He was the one that trained me for eight years. I passed through many good people through Dad, so being his son has helped me greatly.

·     What are the lessons you picked from him that you will like others to emulate.

I picked many things from Dad. He was patient and humble to the core. He said patience and humility is very important to success and achievements in life. My father struggled in life to achieved international stardom and despite many obstacles he became great. My father is a God fearing man, a perfectionist. He loves to put his best in whatever he was doing.

·     What do you plan to do with the body of work he left behind?

Yes, we will keep walking on his Alawada group. His boys are all there. He called them the Pillars. We will continue with them. We walk closely with them to carry on our father’s vision. We will not allow his dream to die.