MOTOR ACCIDENT: The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in one of his ‘words on the mable’ said, “..the success of any man in life is never in falling but in rising each he falls.” Evangelist Joel Yinka Ayefele was not born a handicap or a cripple, the challenges in life confined him to his present position, a wheel chair.
SOJWORLD.COM went into the memory lane of this enigma called Ayefele, how he went through the vicissitudes of life to become employers of labour today.
His present position where his house was demolished by those who taught they have power of life and death is not going to last long, for in due time he will come out stronger and fulfilled.
If you remember the presenter of a popular Yoruba programme, Nkan Mbe on televison and Irikerindo on radio, you will surely remember late Kolawole Olawuyi. The signature tune to the popular programme in the late 1990’s was put together by Yinka Ayefele.
Ayefele had a serious setback when he had a ghastly MOTOR ACCIDENT on December 12, 1997 on his way to present a programme at Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) where he lost his spinal cord.
Ever since then the Tungba exponent had been on the wheel chair bubbling with his life. His condition has never weighed him down rather it strengthens him.
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Today Ayefele is a household name in Nigeria and in diaspora. In the interview he had with the Sahara Reporters few years ago, he said he had employed over 200 employees working under him.
Yinka Ayefele who is the Chairman and MD/CEO of the most popular radio station in Ibadan, South West, Nigeria Fresh FM (105.9fm) has waxed many albums to his credit, which includes; Bitter Experience, Sweet Experience, Aspiration, Fulfilment, Next Level, Upliftment, and other wonderful albums.
He is also a notable presenter on radio with a popular programme on air like, ‘’Let’s talk about it’’ jointly presented by a popular Radio Presenter who also doubles as the Director of Programmes of Fresh FM, Enitan Olusegun BAMIDELE popularly known as EOB controls the airwave across the globe with Ayefele.
If you want to trade away your stress and laugh away your worries, just listen to this wonderful programme and many other programmes like it.
This writer heard many listeners calling that they laughed until they urinate in their pants that is how interesting this programme could be. .One may not be able to appreciate the programme until you listen to it every Tuesday evening between the hours of 5pm-7pm
He lived a simple life with his employees who mild round him outside his office in Challenge, Ibadan in the evening whenever he is around to crack jokes with every one of them. Except you know Ayefele in the midst of his employees, you may not be able to differentiate who the leader is among the gathering. That is how simple Tugba King relates with his workers of all cadres.
Everyone knows, Yinka Ayefele became famous after he survived an accident that almost ended his life on December 12, 1997. What most people don’t know is that doctors had concluded that he would never be able to perform sexually again.
Celebrating 20 years after the nightmarish accident, Ayefele said that on the day he first had an erection while he was in hospital, everyone became ecstatic.
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He said, “After the accident, everyone jubilated when I had an erection one afternoon. I was wondering why they were rejoicing and they told me the doctors said I would not be able to have an erection again. They had reached the conclusion without my knowledge.â€
He admitted that life would have become meaningless had he not regained the ability to have an erection.
But even in the midst of the trouble, he never reasoned that his girlfriend, who later became his wife, would forsake him.
He reacted, “She didn’t leave me when I was hospitalised, so why would she leave me afterwards? When things were bad, she was with me all through. We got married after the accident and we are blessed with four boys.â€
He stressed that he had stopped bothering himself about people who still believe the accident might have rendered him impotent even though he confessed that in the past, such things bothered him.
He recalled, “I can still remember my response to a journalist who wanted to be sure I could impregnate a woman. I told him to bring his sister if he wanted a confirmation. It used to be embarrassing when people questioned my sexual ability.
“Even if I am unable to make love to a woman, should that make them happy? Even if my wife and I opted for IVF, is it something they should gloat about?â€
20 years after, Ayefele still feels pains and said he has decided to stop taking pills because he fears that it may affect his kidney or liver.
He explained further, “I am still feeling pains; I am always in pain every day. Pills cannot even stop the pains and I am conscious of what I take in, but I thank God I have been able to cope. I give thanks to God for sparing my life.
“I personally thought I would die, but my parents and loved ones encouraged me to stay alive. They felt bad, but they didn’t want to lose me. My father was alive then, but I lost him two years ago. He was so supportive all through the trying times.â€
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Recalling the circumstances that confined him to the wheelchair, he said, “I was on my way to Abeokuta, but I lost control of the car because it rained heavily that day. The car fell into a deep pit. I was taken to a nearby hospital, but they couldn’t handle my case because I was vomiting blood. I was taken to another hospital where it was discovered that I had a spinal cord injury.
“I was then transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where I stayed for almost a year before I was discharged. Much later, I raised funds and travelled to the United Kingdom, for specialised treatment.â€
The story of Yinka Ayefele is the story of someone who did not allow his early life predicament to ruin his bright future. He bubbles with life to tell those who cares to follow his footsteps that, ‘’when there is life, there is hope’’ and that we should not allow any condition to weigh us down.
Weeping may endure for a night for this wonderful singer, presenter and celebrity but joy cometh in the morning.
Ayefele is the darling of many with his style of music.
He is a role model, a mentor and a seasoned administrator.
We at SOJ Worldwide will only continue to wish this unique man better years of sound health and fulfilment.
Editor’s Note: This piece was put together by the Editor-in-Chief of SOJWORLD.COM, Adesoji OMOSEBI to console and identify with Yinka Ayefele at this trying times.
www.sojworld.com © August 21, 2018
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