I nearly ran back home on my first day at OAU ―Osanipin, NADDC DG

Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin is the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). SEGUN KASALI sat with him as he shared his life story.

How was growing up in Oke-Ako, Ekiti State?

It was memorable. We were going to farm after the close of school at 2pm. We joined our parents at the farm and it was something we loved doing. In December, we would go hunting. We go to the farms with dogs because they can sniff if a rat is in a hole. We hunt for rats, grasshoppers and the likes.

 

Have you ever sustained an injury while hunting?

Yes. I remember I went with 10 of my seniors and they just killed one rat. So, they said I should carry it. As I picked it, something just told me ‘there were rats in another hole’. They were in front of me but I turned back to check the hole for rats. As I put my hand into the hole, a rat bit me. In fact, blood gushed out as I removed my hand from the hole. Luckily, we were able to kill the rat. Apart from the hunting activities, I usually play football after returning from the farm at about 5pm or 6pm.

 

Are there other unforgettable memories?

We usually have harvest or what the Yoruba will call ikore when we were younger. Nobody wanted to miss this in the community. The elderly ones would organise the party and we would be look through the windows whenever those elderly ones were having parties.

 

Where was the place of education in all these?

At the time, the first thing was that everyone must go to school. It was after school that we usually go farming. During examination periods, farming would be suspended for us, because that was when we would have preps and everyone had to take their studies seriously. Our mindset was that it was only education that could equate you with those in the cities. Another motivation was that we were going to sit for the same West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam. The idea then was that if you can manage to score a “C”, it is great. I scored a “B” and that meant it considered a better result. So, we were so serious about our education because that was the only way you could show that you are better than those in the cities.

 

What nicknames were you given as a young boy?

My nickname was “Always”. When we were in school then, others would say I always have highest score in the major subjects. So, they gave me that name “Always the best” and that was my nickname in primary and secondary school. But, I left for Ajegunle in Lagos at age 15.

 

How was life as an Ajegunle boy?

When I left the university, I told people that I could not live anywhere outside Ajegunle. In Ajegunle, life was so easy. You can sleep anywhere either by the roadside or something. You put your mat at the balcony and you sleep. Sometimes at 10pm when everyone had closed shop, we put our ball outside and we played. There was also light. No generator. We were too free to move anywhere.

 

Tell us a fascinating story about Ajegunle of that time.

I remember when I used to stay in one of my uncle’s house in Ajegunle. Almost all the boys from our area used to stay in one room then. Sometimes, we would be like 12 in a room and there was no space; we had three beds. Things don’t get missing. One day, we intended to sleep at the shop, but we now decided to go back home around midnight. There was no phone at that time. We knocked on the door but nobody opened. So, we came outside to look for stones and started throwing it through the window believing that it would hit one of them. Luckily, one shouted “who is that?” So, we said ‘come and open the door’. So, he came down and opened the door.

 

What do you say about negative perception of Ajegunle?

It is not necessarily so. Like I said, I went from there to a federal school, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and back right there. It depends on the kind of life you decide to live. It is a matter of choice.

 

Were you still ‘Always’ at OAU?

I graduated with 2:1, so I will leave that for my colleagues to judge. I was not one of the bottom people in class. Life in OAU was so beautiful. When I gained admission, I went there with the mindset of activism. I nearly ran back home on my first day at OAU. Prior to going to OAU, I had friends who always said they wanted to stay in Awo Hall and not Angola, because they believed activism thrives there. Normally, when you get to OAU, you first of all go and take your room, admission letter, then to health centre to take the card. It is the card you would take to your faculty for registration. But, I did not take the card there because I wanted Angola Hall to finish so I could take room space in Awo Hall.

 

Did you succeed in your mission?

Well, I took my card and went for registration first. On getting to the registration point, I forgot my original admission letter there. So, I slept at my friend’s place that got Angola Hall and the next day was for Awo Hall. Unfortunately for me, I could not find my admission letter. So, I started thinking ‘abi village people followed me down here?’ I searched everywhere but could not find it. Some people said I should go and meet the students’ union leadership and I did. So, I met with all the executive members and they came to my aid. We saw the admission letter at the faculty. They followed me through and made sure I got accommodation at Awo Hall. Initially, the uncertainty made me conclude I was tired of going to school.

 

Can you still recollect your Aluta participation?

Yes, I remember everyone put leaves on their heads but people were surprised I could participate because of my quiet nature. I trekked to the gate one time and one of my classmates who saw me later said when he saw me, I looked like ECOMOG commander. That was how people started calling me ECO. So, close friends from OAU call me ECO.

 

What happened after school?

I started working with Ibru organisation in Ibafo as an accountant. When I left, I joined the repackaged National Bank as an inspector. From there, I moved to GIG Group and rose to the top echelon.

 

How did you meet your wife?

I was with the Ibru’s when she came to one of the companies there for industrial attachment. So, I started taking care of her lunch. From there, I asked her out. That was how we started building that relationship.

 

Why the interest in her?

Her commitment to duty was second to none. I watched her character and the way she spoke to others. We have been married for about 23 years now.

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