Gbadewonuola Olateju Oyelakin, simply known as Teju Babyface, remains a high-flyer in the entertainment industry, having made an indelible mark for himself on the cast of the multiple awards-winning Diamond Ring movie shot in Nigeria and London in 1998. The classy TV host, inspirational speaker and master of ceremony, who recently clocked 38, reveals to Sunday Sun, why he finally settled for anchoring his own television programme, The Teju Babyface Show and about his love life.

What don’t people know about Teju Babyface?

Type the way I say it o. That was how one reporter misquoted me as saying  “I am an expert in women” though what I said was that I have dated quite a number of women and I know women. Anyway, I wouldn’t know that but I am being myself on TV. What they wouldn’t know is that I don’t go out much. I inherited that from my father. If I don’t have to be there, then I don’t go there. I like my house and I like being with my wife. You are not likely to see me on the social calendar. 

How challenging has it been trying to stay popular as a celebrity?

I tell people that my career has been challenging because I stand as an influencer and a motivator. Hence, when I stand before young people that I am supposed to inspire, I do it to the best of my ability. When I was an actor, I was told I had a baby face and I didn’t match the roles then. That was when “ritualistic films” were the order of the day. The Igodo, Izaza, Izuzu.

Even when I managed to get acting jobs, by some happenstance, the movies weren’t hits. I became a comedian again and because I’m not from Niger Delta and from an ajepako background, I was struggling. My career has been challenging. The main reason is because my life has been providential. Someone said, “You shouldn’t follow a general who has no scars to a show.” As I approach 40 now, I can see what the sojourn was supposed to be about.

As you approach 40 what do you consider as the most challenging moment of your life?

I know what I should say but if I say it, that is what you would pick as headline.  You have to be responsible as you report this. I, perhaps, would not have dated as many ladies as I did.

I was a young man and in the quest to find a partner, especially when one finds it easier not because you are an entertainer, you set unrealistic standards about the kind of people to date. I tell younger people that rather than dating as many as I did, I could have waited till my second year and gone for the most beautiful girl in my faculty and dated her. I am just joking. I have no regret. Of course, one always wishes he knew then what he knows now.

Why did you stop acting?

I told you I didn’t stop. It just didn’t work for me. I remember Desmond Elliot used to say the same thing. I had done Diamond Ring and Desmond would always say I could have used the momentum of Diamond Ring to push myself forward but it didn’t happen for me that way, despite how hard I tried. At a point, I said acting might not be my way. Rather than keep moaning, comedy was coming my way and that was how I focused on it.

What motivated you to start your TV show?

I believe I am a masterpiece. My life has been a matter of precept upon precept. I figured it out that it was time to go into a television programme and there were pointers to that direction.

Could you tell us about any embarrassing moment in your life?

Oh yes! I was trying to climb up a wedding stage one day, about 10 years ago in Maryland. It was during the bridal dance and I was trying to climb up the stage to pick the microphone. My trousers just tore from seam to seam. The sound was like an explosion and thank God I was wearing boxers. Fortunately for me, the bridal dance was still on and I cleverly moved to a nearby tailor to get it stitched. I then ran back to the wedding where they had been looking for the MC. “Where is the MC, where is the MC?”

How do you get to bring the big name celebrities on your TV show?

It’s challenging but I get inspiration from God and what I see some of my colleagues do. See what AY is doing. We need to still step up. They said the person you need to connect to is only about four legs away. So, we keep connecting.

Who would you consider as your most inspiring personality?

That’s my father and of course my mother follows closely behind.

How do you manage stardom?

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Which stardom? Look, I was with a younger comedian recently and I was responding to cheers from people all around and he said to me, “How do you cope because if it was me, I would be annoyed?” I said to him. There was a time I took it for granted. I went through a stage in my life where God showed me what it would look like if it weren’t like that. I didn’t like that. Popularity has a connotation of favour in it. To be forgotten is perhaps one of the greatest misfortunes that befall a person. For me, it is one of my worst fears. Although some people can be obnoxious but I just put them in their place by a mere look.

Why did you write Secrets of the Streets?

I figured I have a ministry to young people. I discovered I get very impatient. I decided to organize events but young people couldn’t pay. If you make it free, they take it for granted and yet, it is unsustainable. In the end, I thought I should write a book so that whatever you want to ask me, chances are that I have answered it in the book. I wasn’t motivated by profit.

How fashionable are you?

I used to think I was. I like quality and I like it when it fits. I have noticed that the best things in life are free. Give me a clean-cut shirt, trousers and tie and I am fine. Give me a simple native and I am fine.

What can’t you be caught doing dead or alive doing?

Ah! I cannot be caught sexually abusing anybody. That goes against the core of my being.

Haven’t there been times when your female fans tried to harass you?

I am beginning to realize there is something the Yorubas say that is very true. Iri nisi ni isoni lojo (You will be addressed the way you present yourself). I found out that as I became committed to my wife, those kinds of girls don’t come near me again, which is why I don’t go everywhere. That is why I consider myself lucky that I can find someone like my wife.

I needed to get a very beautiful lady. I needed to be faithful. When I found them beautiful, they weren’t homely and when I found a homely one, she wasn’t beautiful. I also can’t stand attention-seeking women.

Are you saying you wouldn’t have married your wife, if she weren’t beautiful?

No, I won’t. That is exactly what I am saying and I know that is the one you would want to use as headline.

You keep guessing my headlines. Which one would you now suggest?

No, just note it that I said so (laughs). But seriously, I wouldn’t have.

After meeting a lot of young people, in what ways would you say they’re lagging behind in the pursuit of their dreams?

Hmmm! I have found out that most of them don’t seem to know that life is hard. Mine isn’t hard, anyway. For me, life is serious. All this escapism and fantasy sweeping the world isn’t it.

Sam Adeyemi has said that “We were all born foolish and it is your duty to reduce your foolishness as you grow.” There are some social media platforms that I don’t understand the use of and the why of. Maybe they should outgrow them soon.

Would you dabble into politics anytime, like some of your counterparts have?

Perhaps! I feel that way at times. I don’t know yet. Is it my raging desire? The answer is no because considering what my finances are now, if you put me in government, I will steal and I don’t feel I should do that. Before the time ever comes, I must have been comfortable enough to go there and serve God and the people, which is what I should do.