17/07/2023
Remembering Toba Opaleye: Celebrating the Exceptional Radio Broadcaster on His Birthday Today.
In a significant moment, chaos erupted at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) studio when one of its presenters failed to show up for work. Directed by Chief Abiodun Sanda, Director of Programmes, a young trainee was tasked with playing records to ensure uninterrupted transmission.
However, this trainee went above and beyond the given instructions, delivering an outstanding performance that became a benchmark in broadcasting across Southwest Nigeria. Chief Sanda was summoned by his superior, the distinguished art connoisseur Adebayo Faketi, who was eager to know the new voice behind the exceptional performance—Toba Opaleye.
This marked the beginning of Toba Opaleye's journey, armed with a Higher School Certificate, as he embarked on his broadcasting career at BCOS on that eventful day, December 1st, 1980.
Born Atobatele Okanlawon Opaleye on July 13, 1958, Toba faced both privilege and adversity in his upbringing. Having lost both parents at a young age, he learned to navigate life with resourcefulness and street smarts. Growing up in Abebi, Ibadan, an area notorious for crime, Toba found himself involved in various skirmishes and altercations.
During his upbringing, the streets of Abebi were ruled by the infamous larger-than-life robbery kingpin, Mufu Oloosa Oko. Toba would later captivate his radio audience with tales of Mufu Oloosa Oko, inspiring the popular film adaptation by Odunlade Adekola. His radio narratives also featured notable mythical figures such as Egun Oloolu, Alapansapa, and Ogbonkoko.
Toba presented programs at BCOS for three years before transitioning to Radio Nigeria, Ibadan in 1983, and later joining the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation. Fluent in both Yoruba and English, Toba seamlessly weaved between the two languages to cater to his multilingual audience.
His abilities impressed fellow broadcasters, drawing comparisons to his friend Gbenga Adeboye. While Toba was calculated and assertive, Gbenga exuded spontaneity and quick wit. Together, they elevated Yoruba language and broadcasting to unprecedented heights, serving as aspirations for their broadcasting cohort.
During the 1990s, Toba Opaleye, along with notable names like Bashiru 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, Gbenga Adeboye, Kola Olawuyi, and many others, marked a new era when OGBC 2 FM and other radio stations emerged.
Despite Olusesan Ekisola's efforts to persuade Toba to join the Dokpesi-owned RayPower when it launched in 1996, Toba resigned from OGBC in 1997 to pursue independent broadcasting. Alongside Gbenga Adeboye, they founded the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters' Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), which has become a household association for broadcasters managing multiple programs across several stations.
As an independent broadcaster, Toba dazzled audiences with his well-researched programs across various stations. Some of his notable programs included "Ayo & Toba" on Oyo Radio, "Toba Opaleye on FM" on OGBC, "Eko For Show" on Eko FM, "Ijeun Agba" on Paramount FM, "Lehin Igbeti" on Star FM with Tony Toero, and "Eto Baba Eto" on Radio OYO. Among his programs, "Toba Opaleye on FM" on OGBC stood out.
A dedicated writer with numerous stories to his credit, Toba published the book "Esu Amule ti" in 1996, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet. He also published the novel "Bawo Ni" in 1990 and wrote and produced a play titled "Oluronbi." At the peak of his creativity, he ventured into movie production, music marketing, and artist management. He co-produced "Olugbeja" in the early '90s and later wrote and produced "Igbaladogi" (an odyssey of a wayward woman) and its sequel. Other notable feature films he worked on included "Abeni Onipangbe," "Yemisi Owereke," and "A*o Esu Beleke," which captivated audiences in cinemas and home videos in the late '90s and early 2000s. At the time of his passing, Toba had over 100 unpublished scripts, including "Alimi Janganja-again," "Mufu Oloosa Oko," "Yesufu," "The Vacant Stool," "Ojo Loko Agbado," "Kekere Ori Ejo," and many more.
Toba was a creative genius and an accomplished broadcaster. Chief Abiodun Sanda, the Oyo prince under whose tutelage Toba honed his skills, still uses him as an example of a natural-born broadcaster, recounting stories of Toba's genius and mischief as a young broadcaster.
Toba obtained a diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and then pursued an Advanced Diploma in Mass Communication and a postgraduate course in Marketing at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. He received accolades at his graduation, including the Overall Best Student award and the revered Chief Dayo Duyile Prize for the Best Student in Precision Journalism. He further obtained an MBA in Marketing from Ondo State University (now Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo).
Toba lived for the arts and dedicated himself to creativity. As a music promoter and manager, he provided platforms for upcoming and established musicians on his programs. Many artists would travel from out of town to attend his morning program, even staying at his home. His son, Olusesi, recalls meeting the Fuji legend Alabi Pasuma for the first time when he stayed overnight on their couch.
Toba cherished life and embraced it fully. Perhaps this stemmed from losing his parents at an early age or his well-documented social nature, as he was married to two women, Oyeyiinka and Abiola (deceased), whom he affectionately referred to as "Olori" and "Erelu," respectively. Toba's romantic endearments for these two women created a loving home.
Toba, who would have turned 65 years old today, passed away on April 30, 2006, due to a kidney-related ailment at the age of 47. He is survived by six children: Oyeyemi, Olusesi, Oluwafeni (deceased), Omsalewa, Omowonuola, and Omotinuola.
Although Atobatele Okanlawon Opaleye may have transitioned, his work remains indelible in the pantheon of broadcasting in Nigeria today. Rest in peace, Toba.
