A review of Ayo Akinyemi’s autobiography, Life of Fluctuating Fortunes: Memoirs of a crazily ambitious subtly Radical Professional by Sunday Saanu.
THIS book, entitled “Life of Fluctuating Fortunes, Memoirs Of A Crazily Ambitious Subtly Radical Professional” is a classic story of trials, travails, tribulations and eventual triumph of a brilliant boy of a poor carpenter, who was so divinely gifted in intellect, but whose parents’ poverty almost ruined his hitherto promising future.
The autobiography with 446 pages and 18 chapters, written in commemoration of his 70th birth anniversary was garnished with amazing record-keeping attitude of the author, resulting in publication of historical documents such as academic records, pictures, memo, letters, queries and answers to queries chronicles how Mr. Akinyemi strived, struggled and struck success through sustained focus, determination, resilience encapsulates his life experiences.
A reader of this book, published by Pressville & Associates, who may have shared a similar poor background experience with the author may likely betray emotions, as this reviewer did, reading through the first four chapters of the book. Indeed, going through the book, one will agree with the author on the appropriateness of the title of the memoirs: “Life of Fluctuating Fortunes “ The author, Mr. Akinyemi almost dropped out of school on account of his father’s inability to pay his son’s school fees.
Listen to young Ayo on page 59, “In my Class Three year in 1968, One Penny of my school fees was not paid until the commencement of promotion examination, in the Third Term. The fees for the three terms – Forty-three Pounds and Eight Shillings – was paid on 4 December 1968 with a SBWA (Standard Bank of West Africa) cheque.
What it meant in essence was that, in the tradition of chasing away school fees defaulters from class, I was hounded out of class for an appreciable number of times, that year”
Yet, this was the same boy who was taking first position in primary school. He was so outstanding to the extent that he was selected to represent his school on many occasions. His beginning was so bright and beautiful, pointing to a rosy future. His father tried all he could to ensure that his children got the best education he could afford.
However, the young Akinyemi’s journey became slippery because of lack of resources, mentorship, and educational guidance. The bad situation was made worse. The poverty of the parents had spill over effect on the children. The author, at the formative stage of his life suffered strains and stresses of poverty as his birthplace was extremely impecunious, leaving this young lad at this age to struggle for survival on his own.
Hear him, “I had the determination to carry the same studious zeal, seriousness and approach that stood me out in the primary school to the secondary school. I had the determination to excel in my studies and be in the bracket of the best students. I did not envisage any factor or factors that could inhibit or prevent me from achieving the desired goal. I was confident and believed I was divinely cerebrally endowed enough to be one of the best among my peers, academically, with the abiding grace of God”
“My performance, as reflected in the First Term Report, was pleasing and inspiring. I led the class, in the First Position. Our class teacher, Mr. OluIsola, in his remarks on the Report Sheet stated: “The result is good. But he must not rest on his oars.” The Principal, Revd. N.A. Adedayo remarked: “A very good term’s work.”
“The School Bursar in the School Bill column on the Report Sheet, reflected I was in arrears of the First Term Fees of 21 Pounds, 13 shillings and 4pence. No additional payment was made to the Deposit/Acceptance Fee of Five Pounds. I pointed it out to my father when I showed him the Report Sheet”
“The First Term ended on 22 April 1966. Resumption date from holiday, for Second Term to begin, was 20 May 1966. It was relieving, my father paid the arrears of the First Term Fees on 27 May 1966, a week after the commencement of Second Term”, he recalls on page 68.
His plan was to become a medical doctor. But the vicissitudes of life and the fluctuating fortunes made him an accidental journalist. He is seen in this book, very often , falling in love with the process of becoming the best version of himself. He focuses his energies on healing himself, growing himself and learning on his own to be the best he could be. Consequently, he was forced to seek safety and succor in many places as he would not allow a cloud to obliterate the whole sky.
From Chapter Five of the book, which is “Journey Into The World”, readers are treated to various life’s experiences and challenges of the author in many places of work including Ministry of Agriculture of Western Nigeria where he began to work, Radio Nigeria, Nigerian Tribune, Monitor Newspaper, Owena Newspaper among other places.
Readers will see in full scale, the travails of a determined and rugged mind, the disappointments he suffered, the treachery he endured, the humiliation he carried from those he trusted, the meaning of office politics, the bitterness and rivalries among coworkers, as well as support and solidarity of those of his few colleagues who had the fear of God.
Pa Akinyemi’s life pilgrimage is replete with so many whirlwind. But today, he stands in testimony to the gracious deeds of Divinity that the whirlwind is unable to spill away in the coconut. Clearly, a good timber doesn’t grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the tree. In this book, we can see that his life is as fascinating as it is panoramic. His discursive and intellectual sagacity as well as his well of information is amazing.
Mr Akinyemi, going by the testimonials in this book, is a great artist in the theatre of life who plays his role well. He is an exemplar of what a man should be: meticulous and methodical. The author is a painstaking person. A record keeper whose humility of a lamp is touching. In all accounts, he appears as a picture of imperturbability.
From various accounts in this book, the author is both bold and daring. And there are many instances where fortune favours the bold. It is no exaggeration to say he is a resilient fighter. While he was in Nigerian Tribune, they almost issued a fatwah on him as a result of his editorial engagements. However, each time he is faced with the vicissitudes of life, we see him holding on to the rope of hope. Like a sun, Mr. Akinyemi is seen in the book standing alone, yet, shines brightly.
As a journalist, the author combines amazing technical brilliance with incredible strategic savvy. He displays drive, determination, discipline and desire to be excellent in his trade. The author is a master of tact as life has taught him to control his mouth, mind, mood, and money.
The author uses the resources of evidence and logic to make his points. Several letters, memo, official documents published in this book make the story unbelievable. The author is a good record keeper. His language is simple and anyone with basic education can read and understand the message therein.
I recommend this book to all children of the poor who complain that because of their parents’ poverty, they can’t go far in life. They are certainly going to draw inspiration from the stories in this book. In the same vein, journalists are advised to read this book. It is a major resource material for their personal development. Experience shared in this book are too powerful to be ignored. Historians and psychologists will equally benefit from the experience of the author. Readers will certainly benefit from the specialist knowledge.
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