By Babajide Awoyinfa
Today, I wake up to a new chapter in my life – my 40th birthday. As I celebrate this milestone, this popular saying keeps popping in my head: ‘Life begins at 40’ and ‘A fool at 40 is a fool forever.’ And in me lies the curiosity and wonder why 40 has so much significance. Is it truly a new beginning, or is it a wake-up call to reassess my life?
As I reflect on the past four decades, I started having this feeling that maybe I have reached the halfway point of my lifespan. It’s a strange feeling, knowing that I’ve probably lived half of this long-distance race, this tortuous marathon with ups and downs called life. But I’m not here to dwell on the numbers, God knows best; instead, I want to share my story, and in doing so, surprise my dad by writing this 40 years column—the reason behind my inspiration to pour out my thoughts, my emotions, my song, about the life I have lived so far, this 40 years, from May 3, 1985 up to May 3, 2025, exactly today. Oh, what a day! A day to thank God for creating me and giving me to the best parents to ever ask for: Mike Awoyinfa and Olubukola Awoyinfa, our beautiful Iron Lady mum.
At 37, my dad, Mike Awoyinfa had, in his own way, revolutionised journalism practice in Nigeria through Weekend Concord, a human angle Saturday paper he created and edited as pioneer editor. A paper that brought joy to newspaper readers and vendors alike, every Saturday, because of the exciting stories with screaming, sensational, tabloid headlines. Together with his late twin brother Pastor Dimgba Igwe of blessed memory, they took the paper to greater heights. From Weekend Concord, they went on to manage The Sun newspaper Group from the scratch and gave the paper their usual Midas touch.
I was four years old when the Weekend Concord was born. And my twin brothers Taiwo and Kehinde Awoyinfa were both one-year-old babies. To our dad, Weekend Concord came like the last born of the family. Were it to be human, it would have been called Idowu – as babies born after twins are called in Yoruba tradition. It may not be human, but Weekend Concord provided Nigerians with human angle journalism at its best. I know that one day, my ever busy dad will write the story of Weekend Concord which is part of his legacies.
Mike Awoyinfa, a father and a friend whom we popularly call “Mikki Jagger” (a nickname given to him by the late sports journalism legend, Uncle Sunny Ojeagbase who lived opposite us at a flat in Egbeda, Lagos), has been a pillar in the life of the family. I remember when he turned 40, he celebrated it back then at the Kitchen Restaurant on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, and he invited only 40 guests – family, friends, and colleagues. It was a modest celebration, and the memories have stuck with me. Now, it’s my turn to mark this milestone, and I’m filled with mixed emotions.
By July 23, my father would be 73. Watching Mikki Jagger age has been an eye-opener. As an editor and a writer, he spent years transcribing interviews, thereby plugging his ears with headphones, to turn interviews in audio into text. It’s a tedious task he spent most of his life busy doing; and that has taken a toll on him. Right now, he needs you to repeat yourself or speak louder before he can hear and respond. It’s a stark reminder that old age is real.
As I look at my dad, now aging in his 70s, I’m filled with a sense of responsibility that his back-page legacy must live on. His shoes might be too big for me to fill, but I’ve decided to take on this new challenge – featuring more often as his back-page column guest, so as to gain more experience. It’s a daunting task, but I believe I’m ready to take the bull by the horn.
Taking on this challenge is personal for me. As I’m the only one of my dad’s children following in his media footsteps, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to carry on his legacy. It’s not going to be easy – he has built a reputation and made a significant impact. But I’m driven to make my own mark while honouring his influence.
This isn’t just about carrying the family name; it’s about creating my own path. Just like the son of a legendary musician trying to make his own mark, or a young leader following in the footsteps of their influential parents, I face the daunting task of forging my own identity.
As I followed in my father’s footsteps into the media, I thought of Femi and Seun Kuti, who carved their own paths while honouring their father Fela’s legacy. Femi’s unique sound and Seun’s socially conscious music inspired me. I also considered Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had dedicated himself to community development and youth empowerment. Through initiatives like the STEP Foundation, he had created opportunities for young people to grow and develop.
This journey is all about finding my own voice while keeping his legacy alive.
Reflecting on my 40 years, it’s been a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs. There have been moments of joy, sadness, triumph, and failure. But through it all, I’ve learned valuable lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today. As I celebrate this milestone, I’m praying for guidance, wisdom, and more years of life. I want to continue growing, learning, and making a positive impact in the world.
To my dad, I say thank you for being a source of inspiration in my life. Your legacy continues to inspire me, and I’m honoured to follow in your footsteps.
To everyone reading this, I hope my story inspires you to reflect on your own life journey. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your milestones, no matter how big or small they may seem. Life is a gift, and every moment is an opportunity to make a difference. To those wishing to greet me, I’m open to gifts and well-wishes, on this special birthday of mine.(08137308758) Fill up your glasses and let’s have a toast to this journalist and son of a great journalist! Happy fortieth to me, and to all who share the same birthday with me today, May 3.