Fame: Untold Stories of Its Rise & Fall

By Femi Akintunde-Johnson

This memoir is my most ambitious writing project yet. It's a hard and frank recollection of the unforgettable ups and downs of birthing, sustaining and losing Nigeria's No. 1 Celebrity Journal (1991 and 1997) - FAME Weekly (magazine) - an exercise that has taken more than two decades of preparation and prevarication.
In this book, I have traced my movements all the way from The Punch newspapers - highlighting a few significant events: the making of the popular tags - 'Elegant Stallion' and 'RMD', and my first almost catastrophic encounter with Shina Peters. Then, on to my short tour at Climax magazine...and to FAME: from the dream stage, to the upheavals that would later define the experiences of three young, bright Nigerian journalists and entrepreneurs, locked in a colourful and turbulent partnership.
Many of the unspoken FAME stories are told in as candid, deliberate, and as honest as one can possibly be while sidestepping needless emotionalism or sensationalism.
Hopefully, the readers, and lovers of FAME, of truth and historical milestones, would find in these texts and photos a compendium of enlightening facts, figures and failings that can translate into useful lessons for everybody on how to run a successful business or partnership.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Femi Akintunde-Johnson
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005420482

Femi Akintunde-Johnson

Virtually everybody calls him FAJ... he's been a writer and avid reader since age 11...with a number of journalism, entertainment and other awards confirming he is in the right place. So much to share and engage after 35 years of intense dalliance in the creative industries...during which he founded and published a number of magazines with national spread, and two books, narrating slices of a peculiar life.As he grows older, the itch to write and share more suggests we will be seeing more of his books, God willing. By the way, he is a football addict, crazy about his wife and three children, and lives happily in Lagos, Nigeria. You can reach him on @TheRealFAJ or [e-mail].

Book preview

FAME

Untold Stories

Of Its Rise & Fall

(Unforgettable Intrigues & Lessons)

Femi Akintunde-Johnson (FAJ)

(Candid recollections by one of the three founders of

Nigeria's All-time No. 1 Celebrity Journal, FAME Weekly)

Basic Skills Academy

Lagos, Nigeria

FAME

Untold Stories

Of Its Rise & Fall

(Unforgettable Intrigues & Lessons)

Copyright © 2021  Femi Akintunde-Johnson

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without written permission of the publisher; except for brief quotations in printed reviews, for education and enlightenment.

Published by Basic Skills Academy 

([e-mail])

Lagos, Nigeria

Cover Concept: From Canva - Designed By FAJ

Dedication

These memoirs are dedicated principally to the strenuous stamina, abiding love and congenial companionship graciously provided by my wife, Ireoluwa; to whom I shared years of sacrifices, pains of absences, harassments, detentions, and other associated traumas, in my drive to make the FAME project a roaring success. Thank you, darling.

  I also enlist the following in this dedication: the pioneering staff of FAME Weekly, and most especially the scores who confidently voted to trust and support our abilities and integrity to lead them; who willingly and promptly resigned en masse from FAME on May 14, 1997 into an unknown future; who sacrificed time, talent and skills to start and keep National Encomium for many years. Accept my sincerest gratitude.

  Equally pivotal in facilitating a conducive and aspirational ambience for me to invest my all in the birthing, sustaining, building and transiting of the FAME project, are the fruits of my youth that the Almighty gave to me during my active, positive years in Fame (1991 - 1997): Ireoluwatomiwa, Oluwatamilore and Oluwatemilorun. Thank you my sunshine!

Contents

Dedication

Contents

Prologue

Acknowledgements

Introduction

First Contact: The Genesis

Reminiscences

Punching Ahead Of Climax

Searching For Fame

The Nite Shifters

Binge Buying & Renovations

Creating A Style

Entertainment

Reporting Capital

First Challenge

Working With Friends

Beginning Of The End

The Hard & Tortuous Road

Crisis Point

Boiling Point

On The Run

Pound Of Flesh

Epilogue

Annexure - 1

Annexure - 2

Annexure - 3

Annexure - 4

Prologue

Something huge happened three decades ago in the Nigerian media. Most of today's under-35-year olds would scarcely appreciate the enormity of the occasion, except those with a special flair for journalism. 

On July 6, 1991, three friends with growing reputations in reporting entertainment, society and arts combined forces with some of their colleagues, and younger associates, and Gbam! ... Fame Weekly was born. 

The magazine created some storms, and also weathered a series of storms. Many people didn't believe the combination of the three founding journalists would last more than six months. And were surprised it even lasted almost six years before it collapsed in a gale of accusations and counter-accusations... mostly about finances and power struggle!

To all Fame veterans and lovers...thank you again for giving our dream wings to soar on... As we used to say...Nothing More To Add!

What They Say About FAME… Today!

Simbo Olorunfemi

Fame was it! But for recent relocation, I could have pulled out a copy of the maiden edition. The story sure needs to be told.

Segun Martins Fajemisin

Nothing like it!

Chas Ideho Jfr

I remember FAME very vividly. I just crossed into my early twenties at the time. It's one magazine, and Newswatch also, that propelled my passion for journalism that has brought me to the public eye today. Print journalism in Nigeria suffered a stroke after these great journals/magazines left the newsstand. Kudos for stoking my nostalgia.

Chris Ewanlen

I would like to know details of the power-play that led to the accusations and counter-accusations, the collapse of the partnership with your friends and the eventual collapse of the magazine!

Tanimonure Richards Adewale

FAME - A must read for me while at African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta. Thanks FAJ for bringing back good old days' memories. Please write as much as all of FAME for us. We'd scoop up all the reading pleasurably.

Mufu Onifade

FAME gave us all the softness of fluid journalism even in the face of daunting socio-political and military encumbrances.

Austinfair Nwaulu

Fame, sweet Fame. The magazine that started the soft-sell industry. It took everyone by surprise and many colleagues identified with it too. In fact an ex-contributor now based in Enugu recently visited and went to just see the building again! So, go ahead with whatever, it's worth it. Fame blazed the trail.

Enesi Makoju

FAME Magazine was a must read for everyone interested in the Lagos social scene in the 90s. It was an Iconic Journal in the relatively short span of its existence.

Afolabi Odeyemi

'Only a thief 'll ask for more'… It was appropriate for the time, mood & season… That self-assured, somewhat cocky stance endeared three of you to us as worthy bosses, who knew the way… and we followed. Kudos to una, as trail blazers...  Thanks for 'creating', cultivating the path we tread. 

Teacher Mayowa Stephen

God bless your efforts in the entertainment industry sir. I still have a few copies in my archive.

Jude Arijaje

FAJ… FAME represented all the good of the entertainment industry in Nigeria. I also remember our good friend and brother, late Wale Olomu, who was a good soldier for FAME.

Obakanse Lakanse

I have very many fond memories of FAME but the one I cherish the most was the small column you devoted to showcasing up and coming talents. You featured me in that column. It gave me a thrill. It was the first time in my life I had seen my name and image in print.

Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin

The need for a good book is definitely imminent. That was a good product. The rise and fall of FAME!!!!

Toyin Babarinsa

Wow!!! FAME, the flagship of Entertainment Journalism in the days of old.

Emeka Enyadike

One bold specialised publication.... bought it regularly throughout its lifetime.

Olalekan Folarin

I still remember the edition which featured IBB's hilltop mansion in Minna. FAME Weekly was a must read for me!

Oladipupo Awojobi

Their scintillating stories. Good old days there.

Kayode Nuel

I’d like to know what led to the dissolution.

Bello Tunde

Eh, the best soft-sell magazine in Nigeria with the best hands. Wish FAME can be brought back to life! Even as a hard news person, I still dey look who go bring that (mag) back. Where are the trio?

George Esiri

I was happy to have worked with FAME as their photo editor, I remember traveling to Abuja for the burial of the military officers who lost their lives at the C 130 Hercules plane crash. It was fun and challenging.

Chirotalu Okoye

Can't stop thanking the ALMIGHTY for the trio

Fame Weekly Magazine, FMA, THEMA, e.t.c groomed and made a galaxy of stars including Chirotalu

Muyiwa Dare

I only met you and my other Boss, KB at the helm of affairs then... We moved en mass with you in 1997 to start National Encomium before I later left to join Punch newspaper. I am eternally grateful to God Almighty, yourself and KB for giving me the opportunity to start my journalism career under you. 

Ekerete Udoh

Incredible, thirty years already and it feels like yesterday? FAME was the definition of the best possible standards in entertainment/society journalism. Great to know that we are still here, and aging gracefully. Awesome bro!

Niyi Adebayo

FAME Weekly was a launch pad for my foray into celebrity/society reporting. I am eternally grateful to the publication and its founders....

Joseph Asikpo

My first entertainment Bible was Saturday Punch centrespread, then came Ladi Ayodeji's Beats before Fame magazine landed with a bang. Unfortunately, I was living in Calabar at the peak of the fame of Fame, so I couldn't send my write up.

Eliashib Ime-James

FAME was indeed famous. After Climax magazine, Fame took Lagos by storm and we all wanted to be on the pages of Fame. I frequented the Wemabod office to promote my TV magazine - New Trends.

Mike Cerutti Osagie

There is nothing like FAME...

A refreshing read.

Austeen Eruka

FAME Magazine was a success. That was the era of the first private TV in Nigeria headed by me. FAME Magazine was part of the success of ClapperBoard TV. How time flies.

Tunji Ojuokaiye

FAME Weekly Magazine was the bomb in entertainment reportage then with FAJ, Kunle Bakare and Mayor Akinpelu.

Anselm Duru

Was so in love with Fame and its contents that I religiously bought, read and kept the magazine, weekly, till its first anniversary. You truly spiced the society then.

Henry Aligason

Mr FAJ, you were a strong pillar behind FAME magazine then.

Charles Kay Anyabuike

Our beloved FAME, featured many times in my movie.

Acknowledgements

With gratitude to God, my family, and numerous people who made this book available...without whom any depth or substance inherent in this compendium of facts and other details wouldn't have been possible, I acknowledge your immense contributions, individually and corporately. 

  I'm also indebted to the private libraries of Azuh Arinze and Bunmi Beckley (nee Oduntan) whose tombs of old editions of FAME and Encomium, apart from regular cross-checks and clarifications of persons, roles, situations, and affiliations, helped me tremendously. 

  Similarly, I salute the patience and support of Jahman Anikulapo, Dayo Asaju, Michael Effiong, Demola Sam Adeoye, Yemi Oladeinde, Emeka Ezeh, Banji Kujenya, Segun Banjo, etc - people who dug into their archives (online and offline) to provide additional information, relevant photographs, or incisive perspectives about issues and events of decades ago.

 Special thanks to the management and staff of BLERF (Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation) owners of Who's Who in Nigeria Online, led by 'chief book priest', Nyaknno Osso. The foundation graciously provided covers of more than 100 editions for me, despite the challenge of distance and time.

  I also acknowledge the contributions of many photographers who either worked for me or with me over the past thirty years. In more than 50 pages of colour pages spanning close to 100 pictures (evident only in hard-cover version), only one photograph was not from my long-standing private library.  Yet, only a few of the physical pictures scanned had names of the photographers inscribed at the backs:  George Esiri (Bianca/Ojukwu photo in Chapter 1) and Fatai Olubodun (SSP's visit to Punch in Chapter 2). I suspect some of the pictures must have been taken by Godwin Aweh, Ajayi Oyebo, and Segun Shobiye.

  However, photos in the Annexes have a slightly better attribution: Segun Shobiye (Media Couples); Ola Shobiye and Daniel Abu (Movie Couples); Ola Shobiye and Daniel Abu (Music Couples); Segun Shobiye, Olamitunde James and Daniel Abu (Society Couples); Godwin Aweh, George Esiri, Olamitunde James and Steffen Daneiger (Iconic Photos) - thank you all.

Introduction

Many times I have been asked in different forms something like this: What happened to FAME? Why did you guys allow that beautiful project ro die? Oftentimes, the dynamics and strands that concern the crises of FAME were too deep, too serpentine, too extensive, and too emotionally draining to be condensed into short takes, banters, and power-points.

  For many years, one had made resolutions to consign the pain and despair of issues and intrigues of FAME to the dustbin of history and notorious forgetfulness.

  Yet, once in a long while, memories surged to the forefront whenever a nostalgic reference was made to actions or interventions once produced during the FAME era.

  Over the years, less than a decade after we were forced out of FAME, the project suffered some sort of cardiac arrest, and has since ceased to exist. One could argue that most publications founded in the 1990s have also suffered similar fate - even so did the Encomium that we started with hoopla, after leaving FAME, and which soared to great heights for many years - including other titles I had the privilege of starting (New Treasure [Interview magazine], Treasure People, Treasure Life & Style, Surprise magazine, etc). 

  Valid point... especially as the vicious disruptive elements of online publishing, social media invasion, and deplorable economy have combined to choke life out of traditional publishing - forcing few of the old publications to hang on to existence via the internet platforms with varying degrees of success.

  So, a few years ago, I began to gather information - once scattered - all over again; materials that I had thrown away in disappointment. I sought out old workmates, associates, friends, and erstwhile admirers - asking for this picture, or confirming that statement. In spite of our atrocious lack of maintenance culture, quite a tidy bunch of ex-FAMEous people still kept staggering volume of materials (textual and pictorial) from our mutual past - even after 24 years!

   However, the few months of 2021 have been quite cathartic and anaesthetic, at intervals, as I dug back into decades of memories and recollections - sifting and tugging through junks and pieces of distorted or dismembered scenarios, events and activities of the past 30 years.

  On several occasions, I sought clarifications from, and perspectives of former colleagues in knitting the stories of FAME that have remained untold for so long.

  In this book, I have traced my movements all the way from The Punch newspapers - detouring to a few significant events that dotted that experience. Then, on to my short tour at Climax magazine...and its peculiar impressions in my preparation for greater engagements. And then to FAME: from the nappy-moments, to its pulsating first year, and the sundry upheavals that define the unique experiences of three young chaps welded together in a dramatic partnership with a bullish aspiration to succeed in a tumultuous Nigerian media where many had failed spectacularly.

  With deep and sombre reflections - always praying for clarity and recall keenness - I have attempted to write all I know and was a witness to - within reasonable and responsible limits - about all that transpired in the making of FAME: its production, management, and the prosecution of its attendant crises and disruptions.

  My depictions in these memoirs have been frank, deliberate, and to the best of my recall abilities and consultative privileges, and have painted a candid and clear-headed panorama of attitudes, actions, reactions, schemes and other emotions.

  Hopefully, the readers, and lovers of FAME, of truth and historical exactitude, would find in these texts and photos (all but one of the over 200 were sourced from my aged private library), a compendium of facts, figures and failings that can translate into winnable lessons for some; an opportunity for others to apply themselves more successfully in building businesses.

  Ultimately, may truth and closure prevail.

FAME - CHAPTER 1

First Contact: The Genesis

Somewhere in mainland Lagos, sometime early in 1989, a press conference was coming to an end. As usual, the 'boys' were prepping for the rush for food, souvenirs and keske (a byword for transport fare, but really a grease applied by promoters of events who wanted maximum coverage of their events in the weekend pages of newspapers and magazines). And as usual with me, that was my cue to bail out of the swanky room, as I had long positioned myself to abhor anything that smelled of gratification or inducement in the cause of doing my work as a journalist. 

  At that moment, I was less than a year as a staff writer with the Punch Newspapers. Though there was no formal directive to refuse or resist monetary inducement in the line of duty, it was a natural obligation, perhaps honed from some undefined righteous indignation planted by my poor, but straight-as-a-jack, and hard-working parents - and possibly my extensive forays into African, western and sundry literatures. Their ennobling influences could have wrapped up for me some sort of moral code; I just couldn't stand hustling to collect food or cash, or even 'releases', like vultures fighting over carrion. 

  So on that day in 1989, I left my colleagues behind to do the 'needful' as they deemed fit, and hugged the road to the Maryland bus stop - if my memory holds true. I was alone with my bag across my shoulder, in my usual baggy 'Adire' (batik) kaftan, and 'Kembe' tongs. The bohemian dress, a style largely seen as rebellious or nonchalant, had always been my favourite... bleached in sun-kissed colours of blue, brown and green... splashed on different fabrics. I've never been a lover of bright, glowing and incandescent hues. 

  See, in life and what have you, do not be afraid to seek what makes you comfortable, what speaks to your desires...do not bow to the expectations of others who are not relevant to your history or trajectory; who do not determine nor frame how and where you express your gift, talent, enterprise or industry. But I was not really alone.

  I noticed a young good-looking chap, who was also at the press conference, now walking, a few meters behind me, towards Maryland. He seemed different from most because of his quietness and dressing. He was smartly dressed, as I recollect, and walked in a singsong manner - like someone whose gait was tempered by the music in his head. Instinctively, we began chatting when I found out he also didn't want to partake of the 'messy manoeuvres' of our colleagues. Yet, he was working with one of the general-interest magazines that we, newspaper puff-adders, regarded somewhat poorly. And we hit it off smoothly. A new friendship was born.

His name was Olakunle Sikiru Bakare. He didn't want to be called 'SB'...rather, he chose the more tonal 'KB' (meaning Kunle Bakare).

Meeting Isiaka Mayowa Abiodun Akinpelu (better known as Mayor Akinpelu) was a little woolly, simply because I met him as Kunle's friend and senior colleague. On a few occasions that we met at parties, Vintage offices or on assignments, he gave off a stand-offish, flighty and unpretentious image. I was not a quick judge, for I had been called pompous, arrogant and scheming, essentially because I would not be dragged into needless public arguments, would not start a conversation with a friendly stranger, nor engage in raunchy ribaldry… for whatever reasons. Well, so I assumed. 

  However, perhaps because we had similar temperaments, we didn't seem to gel at the beginning - that was mid 1989. When they say it's not right to judge a book by its cover, they probably didn't have in mind the books of this millennium. Subsequent descriptions would prove clearly whether that aphorism is true or not.

  What stood out for me was Mayor's garrulous confidence in his art-form, and the surprising steady flow of cash that he had no problem flashing while paying for this or that. He also appeared reluctant to embrace me as a friend until much later, after repeated contacts, and several chats - a cautious approach that was mutual. 

IDEATION PROCESS

There may be the possibility that three stories emerge on how the idea or the concept of FAME began; but to the best of my recall capacity, this is the story. I had been a little amazed how news bits and 'gossips' that would only take a maximum of three inches across two columns (of a six-column newspaper page) in our weekly strip (earlier called Whispers, that I later changed to 'Goldfish' and 'Basketmouth' respectively), the same story - with a little embellishment and some interrogatories - would be splashed across the cover pages of Vintage People, or its older rival, Prime People. And they were mostly hot potatoes at the newsstands! Of course, my newspaper, the Saturday Punch was a staple, and the centre spread entertainment pull out (called Saturday Highlife, SH) was the star-light! 

  A peculiar story would explain my dilemma quite vividly. Sometime in 1989, a good source hinted to me that the boisterously popular former civil war leader and leading politician, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (then 56) was romantically entangled with the then current Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, and Miss Africa, Bianca Onoh (who was barely 21). It was a massive gist for anyone else, but it would still not take more than three inches, and a little more, on the sidelines of SH. In one of our chats, I let Kunle into the secret, and like ants on sugar, he swarmed over me and the gist; he wanted more info, details I didn't bother to drag out from my source. He pleaded with me to step down the story, and introduce him to my source. He must have promised me something refreshing: like my favourite bottles of Stout and Coke, plus a large wrap of Suya. 

  We dug out my source, and for a few days, Kunle mined him of info so incessantly that the fellow swore me to a 'verbal oath' never to divulge his name or connection to the story. After assuring him, I made the same request to Kunle which he speedily conceded to. I don't know what he told them in his office, but the