You may not be wrong if you refer to Kunle Bakare or KB as he is fondly called a maestro in society and entertainment journalism, having paid his dues
You may not be wrong if you refer to Kunle Bakare or KB as he is fondly called a maestro in society and entertainment journalism, having paid his dues in celebrity journalism for decades. The publisher of hugely popular ‘Encomium Weekly’ magazine spoke to Ivory Ukonu on turning 60, what he has been up to and sundry issues.
Congratulations on clocking 60. How does it feel hitting the landmark age?
Thank you so much for your warm wishes. And it’s a pleasure to be invited to grace your platform. I am grateful for this gift of life, of being permitted to mark my 60th birthday in fairly good and sound health. I am not as fit and energetic at this age as I was when I was younger; there are aches and pains here and there, and some slowness but old age comes with some maturity and circumspection which are beneficial. I feel good. I am alive and well, kicking and joyous.
Thank you so much for your warm wishes. And it’s a pleasure to be invited to grace your platform. I am grateful for this gift of life, of being permitted to mark my 60th birthday in fairly good and sound health. I am not as fit and energetic at this age as I was when I was younger; there are aches and pains here and there, and some slowness but old age comes with some maturity and circumspection which are beneficial. I feel good. I am alive and well, kicking and joyous.
Were you looking forward to being 60, or did it just creep on you?
I have always looked forward to birthdays since I was ten years old. I remember shopping for my 10th birthday, going all the way to the then Kingsway and Leventis stores on Broad Street, Lagos. I bought the ensemble for the birthday and a hat. It was a memorable adventure which I embarked on all by myself. So, I have always looked forward to birthdays. And those who know me will remember that I always say: ‘Do you know I am 30 years old?’ Or, whatever age I was whenever they tried to take advantage of me. And we would laugh over it. July 31st is important to me.
I have always looked forward to birthdays since I was ten years old. I remember shopping for my 10th birthday, going all the way to the then Kingsway and Leventis stores on Broad Street, Lagos. I bought the ensemble for the birthday and a hat. It was a memorable adventure which I embarked on all by myself. So, I have always looked forward to birthdays. And those who know me will remember that I always say: ‘Do you know I am 30 years old?’ Or, whatever age I was whenever they tried to take advantage of me. And we would laugh over it. July 31st is important to me.
Have you accomplished all that you set out to do before 60?
No, I haven’t accomplished all that I set out do. And I don’t think I can. Life is a work in progress. You dream and attempt to achieve your dreams. It is perpetual, ongoing, never-ending. There are too many things I would have loved to — but there’s little time, limited resources and energy to pursue and achieve them. For one, I would like to have a world class atelier that solves the sartorial needs of refined gentlemen. I have started already. Secondly, I would love to settle down as a writer of fiction and non-fiction and make a living out of it. Thirdly, I would love to have a media and tech company that advances the cause of mankind and make the world a better place. Fourthly, I would love to set up companies that convert waste to useful everyday items that benefit humanity.
There are too many things to do. And I hope I can have enough presence of mind and resources to accomplish some of them.
Looking back, do you have any regrets?
Who doesn’t? A renowned Nigerian once said that we should never believe those who claim not to have regrets. And this gentleman was one of the most accomplished human beings on earth. In 2018 I read a Jeffrey Archer novel titled ‘Heads You Win’ which explored how, if one took a different path at a particular time, life would not be the same. And that’s how life is. There are many things I wish I did differently. I could have been an architect, a doctor, lawyer or soldier. I could have relocated abroad, or to my village. I could have chosen different paths. But that is not to diminish the wonders I have experienced. I am grateful, immensely thankful.
Who doesn’t? A renowned Nigerian once said that we should never believe those who claim not to have regrets. And this gentleman was one of the most accomplished human beings on earth. In 2018 I read a Jeffrey Archer novel titled ‘Heads You Win’ which explored how, if one took a different path at a particular time, life would not be the same. And that’s how life is. There are many things I wish I did differently. I could have been an architect, a doctor, lawyer or soldier. I could have relocated abroad, or to my village. I could have chosen different paths. But that is not to diminish the wonders I have experienced. I am grateful, immensely thankful.
If you could turn back the hands of time, what is that one particular thing you would have done differently?
Not one but many things. But what’s most important is to be kinder and more understanding. To treat all with utmost respect, be more charitable and giving. To plan many years ahead and be dedicated to my craft and occupation.
Would you consider yourself a fulfilled man?
Fulfilment comes on one’s death bed. You cannot be fulfilled when you don’t know what’s ahead and how it is going to end.
I am grateful, thankful, considerably happy and joyful, so far and I pray that the latter days will be good.
What are you most grateful for?
For life. For being permitted to reincarnate and make atonement. For being given another chance to make amends. I am grateful for all the experiences. All the people and events that have shaped my life. My prayer is that it ends well.
‘Encomium Weekly,’ once a must-have soft sell, has since run its course. Why did you rest it when you could have taken advantage of the burgeoning online media space?
Encomium Weekly ran its course as a publication sold on newsstands and when it was no longer profitable to print the magazine. One of the mistakes we made was to elongate and subsidise printing the magazine for years. We thought events would change to our advantage. Remember, everything runs its course. Everything. And at that time, printing the magazine was no longer sustainable and profitable, the online business was also not profitable. If we had another chance, maybe we should have stopped five years earlier but we couldn’t see the future. With the size of ‘Encomium Weekly,’ there was no way, at that time, we could run an online publication profitably. Most profitable online sites then were one-man blogs which stole stories from the traditional media. However, encomium.ng is online—and we are re-engineering and working on a better site and medium on the internet. We are actually planning and working on a media and tech company. And we pray for success.
The magazine at the height of its fame was like a school of journalism of some sort for entertainment and society writers. Some people have argued that being a grand master of that genre of journalism, you should have continued in that stead by setting up a formal or informal school as it were, to train young writers who may be interested in that genre but have no one to mentor them. Because the truth is that, believe it or not, that genre is slowly dying. What is your take on this?
The dream to teach journalism is still alive. And I am working on how to explore the opportunities. Fingers crossed. The good thing is that many beautiful people passed through ‘Fame Weekly,’ ‘Encomium Weekly,’ and they have the opportunity to fly our flag. And many of them are doing so well.
Journalism these days is no longer what it used to be. The younger ones are not willing to put in the work. Why do you think this is so, and what can be done?
Nothing is how they used to be. But we must put things in perspective. I believe the world makes a lot of progress, in spite of our pessimism and what we publicise. I always refer my friends to the book, ‘Factfulness’ by Hans Rosling, which challenges negative perceptions and present data showing how the world has improved in areas like poverty, health and education, among others.
Nothing is how they used to be. But we must put things in perspective. I believe the world makes a lot of progress, in spite of our pessimism and what we publicise. I always refer my friends to the book, ‘Factfulness’ by Hans Rosling, which challenges negative perceptions and present data showing how the world has improved in areas like poverty, health and education, among others.
The major challenges journalism face are patronage and payment for the consumption of news. If these two can be addressed, we will notice all the positive changes we are capable of displaying. Once a profession, craft or vocation is profitable, it grows and attracts the best.
What are some of your fondest memories running the magazine?
They were journals of records – ‘Encomium Weekly,’ ‘Encomium Special’ and ‘E Lifestyle’. You read from them the authentic history of our people. Then there was ‘A Decade of Encomium: 1997–2007,’ a world class, three-part, 900-page coffee table compendium.
There are too many fond memories – the good people at ‘Encomium Weekly’ who made everything possible, the stakeholders like advertisers and readers, agents and vendors etc. We also hosted the classiest and most colourful events: the White Gig, the Black and White Ball, the Green and White Groove, the awards and more. We played our part, and hope and pray that we can still contribute more in future.
What were some of the challenges you encountered running ‘Encomium Weekly,’ and how were you able to overcome them?
It is not easy to be a Nigerian, according to late Olufela Anikulapo-Kuti. There are too many obstacles and hurdles. Nigeria is not friendly but that is not to discount the endless opportunities. And in business, it is even tougher. So, you have to make sacrifices.
There are too many challenges, and you overcome them by planning ahead, investing well in the business and getting the right people. Different challenges require innovative approaches and solutions. Where does one start with the challenges? Electricity, the economy, manpower, theft… You just learn to cope and evolve solutions that keep you on top.
Why did you choose to become a journalist, what’s your story?
It’s a long story. But let’s say I started by wanting to be a doctor, architect, lawyer and later journalist because of the subjects I was exposed to in secondary school. But once I tilted from science and technical subjects to arts, it was clear where I was headed.
It’s a long story. But let’s say I started by wanting to be a doctor, architect, lawyer and later journalist because of the subjects I was exposed to in secondary school. But once I tilted from science and technical subjects to arts, it was clear where I was headed.
So it was either Law or Mass Communication and I opted for the latter.
Why did you choose the genre of journalism? Why not a political or business writer?
I met a gentleman when I was studying Mass Communication at the University of Lagos where I was between 1984 and 1987 who exposed me to celebrity and entertainment journalism. Mr Wole Fagbohun whose father was a renowned tailor and designer based in Ibadan was a collector of foreign magazines. And he stayed opposite my room in Mariere Hall. We became friends, and I read some of his magazines one of which was the National Enquirer. I was fascinated by the stories and the seriousness they brought to bear in reporting, presenting and packaging their stories. And I made up my mind to explore that genre of journalism. Luckily, I also came across Mr Muyiwa Adetiba of ‘Prime People’ fame when I was in my final year in the university and began buying the magazine. While undergoing my National Youth Service Corps in Benin, Edo State in 1988, ‘Prime People’ advertised for reporters, and I applied. I got the job, and had to redeploy courtesy of Mr Fola Arogundade, our editor at the time, in March 1988.
Are you proud of what you did with the magazine, growing it to become one of the top selling soft sells in Nigeria?
I’m very proud of what we were permitted to do with the magazines. ‘Encomium Weekly’ was the most civil soft sell, apart from being a journal of records. Like I mentioned, we published other journals and hosted some wonderful events and awards which people still talk about and miss. I think we played our part wonderfully well.
Yourself, Femi Akintunde Johnson more popularly known as FAJ and Mayor Akinpelu co-founded ‘FAME.’ Three of you were the ‘IT’ guys in society and entertainment reporting at that time but that relationship ended on a bad note. Would you care to share what transpired for the benefit of those peddling rumours of the real reason you all broke up?
It will be difficult to tell the story of ‘FAME’ even in memoirs. And it will be unkind and uncharitable to tell it from only one perspective. There were too many events and experiences and players. Let me just say that the era was one of the most exciting, interesting and challenging periods of my life. This was between July 1991 and May 1997. I look at those years as momentous (and try not to see any regrets, but lessons. Recalling and stating sides about who did what in the relationships will not be good form and appropriate, especially now that we are all over 60. What’s important is that young men, who stood on the shoulders of Mr Tayo Adesanya, our chairman then and his wife, started what some have termed a significant part of the history of journalism in Nigeria. That singular milestone suffices and overrides all other pitfall, shortcoming, or wrangling. The fresh obstacles and feelings the three of us face and experience now replaced the emotions and challenges of those early years. during and after we left the company.
We are all alive and well, kicking and joyous and have moved on to do other magazines and businesses. What we must always remember is that there are no coincidences in life. But we can ‘change’ karma and ‘redirect’ destiny like the example I gave in Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Heads You Win’. So, it’s all good!
Do your children take after you?
No. But my daughter writes well. And my son has the knack for designing and business.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently as it relates to journalism?
I would have done many things differently. For one, I would have concentrated and mastered better the business of journalism and planned five years ahead all the time.
I would have done many things differently. For one, I would have concentrated and mastered better the business of journalism and planned five years ahead all the time.
You are very sartorial. How did that aspect of you evolve?
It’s a gift from my parents, and it also grew out of interest. My parents exposed me to fashion and style. I learnt simplicity and elegance from them and I naturally got drawn to it more by watching, reading and learning from books, magazines and the internet.
You can learn anything. And I’ve been lucky to have known and interacted with Nigeria’s leading designers and clothiers who taught and showed me a lot. And some international figures as well.
Is this the reason you floated Omoluwabi by KB? What is it all about?
Omoluwabi by KB is my fashion brand for cultivated gentlemen who aim for being best dressed over well-dressed. Omoluwabi’s signature style epitomizes refined elegance. It is defined by clean lines, timeless sophistication, and nuanced subtlety. Our garments exude luxury with understated details that command attention without ostentation. We champion aesthetics that prioritize subtlety over spectacle, sophistication over showmanship, and quiet confidence over bravado. We make bespoke garments like white tie and morning dress ensembles, tuxedos, suits, kaftans and agbada and sell accessories such as shoes, caps, pocket squares and watches, suspenders, socks and more. The business was triggered by a friend who wanted some caps urgently for an occasion, and he approached me. After the delivery, I decided to turn it into a business since I’ve always been consulted by friends and acquaintances on fashion and style. I even shopped for friends or accompanied them on shopping expeditions. Fashion and style have always been more than a fleeting preoccupation. It began as a business in 2018 with ‘aso oke’ caps and later kaftan before blooming into what it is today. I started it with the first payments for my garments and accessories by two of my friends: one an oil tycoon and the other a judge. There’s still a long way to go because COVID-19 delayed many of our plans. It is based here in Lagos and I work from out of my house.
Omoluwabi by KB is my fashion brand for cultivated gentlemen who aim for being best dressed over well-dressed. Omoluwabi’s signature style epitomizes refined elegance. It is defined by clean lines, timeless sophistication, and nuanced subtlety. Our garments exude luxury with understated details that command attention without ostentation. We champion aesthetics that prioritize subtlety over spectacle, sophistication over showmanship, and quiet confidence over bravado. We make bespoke garments like white tie and morning dress ensembles, tuxedos, suits, kaftans and agbada and sell accessories such as shoes, caps, pocket squares and watches, suspenders, socks and more. The business was triggered by a friend who wanted some caps urgently for an occasion, and he approached me. After the delivery, I decided to turn it into a business since I’ve always been consulted by friends and acquaintances on fashion and style. I even shopped for friends or accompanied them on shopping expeditions. Fashion and style have always been more than a fleeting preoccupation. It began as a business in 2018 with ‘aso oke’ caps and later kaftan before blooming into what it is today. I started it with the first payments for my garments and accessories by two of my friends: one an oil tycoon and the other a judge. There’s still a long way to go because COVID-19 delayed many of our plans. It is based here in Lagos and I work from out of my house.
As a fashion forward person, what are some key elements that a man should take into consideration when building a classic and enduring wardrobe?
Many things should influence assembling a classic and timeless wardrobe. The first is your job, and the dress code dictated by your calling. Then, your position and what you aspire to be. Your lifestyle and the leisure events and activities that make your life more exciting should feature in your consideration. Your income also determines the garments you can afford. Assembling them in sombre colours of seriousness — black, white, blue, grey and brown, is equally as important as taking good care of them. Assembling an enduring wardrobe requires thoughtfulness and planning.
What motivates you?
The desire to be a better human being. To leave the world better than I met it. To contribute to the happiness and advancement of mankind. And the motivation comes from within. Though external factors can fire it, it must be from within.
What would you say must have significantly shaped you to be who you are today?
My family and the people I’ve been fortunate to come in close contact with. The schools I attended and the books I have read. Coming across ‘The Grail Message’ early has contributed immensely to shaping me to who I am today. But there’s still a lot to learn and inculcate.
When you are not so busy, how do you let off steam?
I read and daydream, watch television and browse the internet. I also go window shopping. And sometimes go for a drink and nibble at hotel lobbies. I love observing what people wear.
I read and daydream, watch television and browse the internet. I also go window shopping. And sometimes go for a drink and nibble at hotel lobbies. I love observing what people wear.
