Fatai Adeniyi Kazeem popularly known as Dan Kazeem, is a broadcaster and a standout brand who commands a large audience. If you listen to any of his programmes, no doubt you would like his delivery which is without creativity and professionalism.
Adeniyi Dan Kazeem
is a real gem who uses his mouth skilfully in broadcasting especially for the
good of the people and endeared himself to the people –young and old with his
public-oriented programmes which have earned him credibility.
Dan Kazeem is one of
the inspired people in the media. He pioneered the Freelance and Independent
Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) in which he served as the President
before being elevated to the Chairman Board of Trustees of the same
Association.
Apart from
broadcasting, he is a gifted actor, script writer, director, versatile
presenter and, an administrator.
The independent
broadcaster-cum-producer, who doubles as the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara
State Head of Service, welcomed The Gems
for an exclusive interview which took place in his office recently. In this
interview, the dark-handsome-busy man, who just clocked 50, and smiling to
success, talked about his life, his career, and national issues.
Sir, tell us about yourself
I am Abbul-Fatai
Adeniyi Kazeem popularly known as Dan-Kazeem. I hailed from Ikare Akoko in Ondo
State. I am married with children of both sexes. I am a broadcaster.
I attended all
schools including the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where
I studied Linguistics with Yoruba and graduated in 1985. Luckily for me, I
served in Radio Kwara where I was awarded the Best Corper of the year (1986),
and because of my performance, I was retained. I started work with Radio Kwara
as an Artist before I was permanently employed in 1988 as Producer II. Then
from Producer II to a Producer I, to Senior Producer, to Principal Producer,
then to a Controller of Programme, and by the grace of Almighty Allah, I left
Radio Kwara as an Acting Director of Programme. Presently, I am the Chief Press
Secretary to the Kwara State Head of Service, Alhaji
Sir, can you give us a short description of your work as Chief Press
Secretary?
As the Chief Press
Secretary, I act as intermediary between the public and the Head of Service. I
am more or less the Image Maker of the Office; am the desk Officer in charge of
publicity, anything that has to do with image making, public relations. I also
protect the service of the Office by giving a professional advice when
necessary.
Why did you choose broadcasting as a profession?
Everything depends
on flair! Right from my secondary school days, I have flair for broadcasting. And
there is this Radio Presenter called Okiki Jengbon in Ondo State Broadcasting
Corporation (now Ondo State Radio Corporation), I always enjoyed his programme
because it inspired me. So I took him as a mentor even though he was not aware
of it. I believed I would do well in the profession, and I worked towards it.
Even before I gained admission into the University, I had almost secured
employment into Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation, but when my admission came
I had to drop the idea. And after my graduation from the University, I was
already targeting to serve in a radio station, and as God would have it, I
found myself in Radio Kwara.
What were the challenges you faced and encountered in the early years of
your career?
When I was starting
my career as a Corper in Radio Kwara; I was planning and working as if I would
not spend more than a year, but to my amazement, people started writing letters
and calling the General Manager that they should not allow me to go because of
the flair. So I was retained. And that was the beginning of the challenges.
Between 1986 and 1988, I was frustrated; I was frustrated by my colleagues
because they did not want me to stay. So they started waging war, frustrating
me on presentation. Sometime I would compile record for presentation, and when
it is time to do the presentation, my record would be missing. Then as a
Corper, I was being paid two hundred naira (#200), but after my service in
Radio Kwara, instead of them to increase my pay they deducted fifty naira (#50)
and were paying me one hundred and fifty naira for two years. I faced a lot of challenges as a non indigene,
they did a lot of things to frustrate me out, but I stayed because of my
passion for the job.
How were you able to deal with the challenges?
Yes, eh… I was able
to deal with the challenges because I have a dream and remained focus even when
people tried to keep me out of focus. Perseverance and endurance as a virtue
saw me through. With perseverance and endurance, you can surmount any challenges
What makes you standout in your career?
I cannot really say
am a standout, because I cannot judge myself; I cannot rate myself, it is
people who listen to you that are in the position to rate you; but the truth is
simply, ‘I don’t play with my job’; I prepare myself for any programmes. In
broadcasting, we deal with three categories of people: ‘People that you are
more knowledgeable than’ ‘People of your equal status’, ‘and people that are
more knowledgeable than you do.’ So how do you strike a balance? You have to
research. Whatever you do, you research. To me no knowledge is lost. The fact
that I studied Linguistics with Yoruba does not mean that I cannot do a good
presentation on medical line. All I need to do is to research; know the medical
terms so that when am presenting the professionals in the field will not be
able to fault me. And one of the things that made me to stand out is that I
don’t believe that everything is monetary. Though I like money; everybody likes
money, but that is not my ultimate goal. I believe more in goodwill, it goes a
long way. So I have been able to build my career without being over ambitious.
What I need is the trademark, for people to realize that one is relevant in
this profession, and then the money will come.
Your career goal?
Like I said, ‘I
want to be relevant in my career; I want to be evergreen’
Do you have any pet project? –I mean an inspiring idea that you love and
give special attention to.
Yes, my pet project
is to own a radio station. I want to own a radio station of my style; of my
passion. When you are working with a media house, one is limited by their ethic.
But when you have your own, you tailor it towards your own passion. I am not
interested in commercial broadcasts, I want service-oriented programmes; I want
community-based programmes, where you and I can belong; where people that think
they are voiceless will have the opportunity to express their opinion. There was
a time I featured an Okada man on my programme. When I invited the Okada Chairman,
some people did not like the idea. But if I did not bring him on the programme,
how will you know their plight? I cannot be bringing Commissioners all the time
because of the money they will give me. People who think they are voiceless,
let’s give them the voice.
How do you cope with everyday challenges?
I put God first;
every morning when I wake up, I pray to Almighty Allah to give me the guide. I
believe is the one controlling life circumstances, so I am contented with whatever
happens to me. If it is what I don’t like, I just thank God and say, ‘God, I
don’t want this kind of thing to happen again’
What changes do you expect from our Political Leaders?
We know that
everybody is crying about corruption in our society. Because corruption, I
don’t know whether it is part of our culture or it has mixed with our culture.
But if the government can eradicate it, which I don’t think is possible now,
because we need total overhauling. Imagine a Politician spending millions or
billions of Naira to get there, so where do you expect him to recoup his money.
Imaging the Civil Defence Corp where people buy form for two hundred thousand naira
to get a job. So when they get the job, how would they recoup their money? They
have to go into corruption. So what I want is just the government to reduce the
level of corruption to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated. I also
want the government to embark on short project that common people can benefit
from almost immediately; like Operation Feed the Nation.
How are you contributing your quota towards the growth and development of
this nation?
Through what I know
how to do; through my programmes, we are all Preachers. When you tell the people
who are listening to you to be patriotic and you show good example to lead them
to be patriotic, you are contributing your quota. By asking me this question
now, you have contributed your own quota, because some people will read it and
say okay. So all of us have enormous assignment to ensure that Nigeria become a
better place. We must all go out there and tell the people to be patriotic;
this country belongs to each and every one of us. The government cannot do it
alone .And who are the government? (You and I) Until we know that you and I are
the government, there is nothing anybody can do. My advice is that everybody
should learn on how to change on daily basis and think about new things that
will add to the nation and make Nigeria a better place for all.
Word of advice for the youths, especially those who want to be a standout
in their chosen career
They should not be
over ambitious. Youths of nowadays, if they embark on any trade, they want to
make times ten of what they have invested as fast as possible. And that is a
risk. For instance, two people are going to a destination, and they will have
to go through three staircase. One is climbing the step one after another, but
the other guy who thinks he is smart, wants to jump from the first staircase to
the third. What do you think will happen to him? So, they should pursue their
ambition with patience and perseverance, and with time, they will get there.
Please, give us a short description of yourself for those who don’t know
your true personality.
I like that point! Because I believe I am the
best person that can describe myself. Out there you are a man of many facts.
Some would say you are too proud, you are not accessible. You are not this; you
are not that. I believe myself, am a very shy person, it is my profession that
made me an extrovert. I am a God-fearing person, a responsible husband, and a
responsible father.
