I DO MORE OF INTELLECTUAL PERFORMANCE NOW
INTERVIEW WITH AMBASSSADOR ADEDAYO
LAIDI (IJODEE) PRESIDENT GUILD OF NIGERIA DANCERS (G.O.N.D)
E.P: Your incursion into dance how
did it start?
Answer: I start dancing when I was
very small at the age of 5/6 years during festivals it was more or less started
during family gathering then in primary school up to secondary school and
polytechnic yabatech. I decided that I don’t want to do what my father really
wanted me to do that is to be an engineer then I changed my thought to be a
dancer in school in France it was a
French government’s scholarship that was how I travelled out of Nigeria for the
first time to study dance and choreographer after that I have six other
scholarship to study dance in France, Germany, Senegal, Australia, Korea.
E.P: People see dance as more
strenuous you have to keep your body in shape how did you keep away from those
vices (habits) that we indulge in?
Answer: It is not so easy for any
artist not to have some habits which people have but you must have what is
called discipline coupled with good food and exercise you keep your head high
also one should be careful with the type of friends you keep of course one will
have made one mistakes or the other which is normal you adjust and move on with
life, dance is like football as you get older you do things that your body
would agree with you look at other things that you can do as of today am a
dance director, dance consultant, producer, festival director I equally
coordinate shows I still dance but to select audience where I perform for
governors, diplomats it is more of intellectual performance I can’t go and
dance for school children at my age am going to fifty even though people say I
have a small body these days I work 100% with my brain and 30% percent with my
body I have many assistants working with me I have my own dance organization I
have my own dance festival there is one for the 36 states for the federation
known as TRUFESTA am equally using this platform to hand over to the next
generation. I have about three festivals in a year all are dance festivals.
E.P: What are you doing to encourage
the youths?
Answer: I have said it already, I
normally have 3 or 4 annual workshops; I organize dance training programmes
where I invite dancers from outside the country from Africa, Asia and Europe. I
started encouraging the youths many years now I even organize residences
programmes to encourage them, the last work shop I did was in Abuja am the president
of GOND we organize a dance seminar in Lagos last month also through TRUFESTA
international festival I do collaborations I organize residence programmes for
the youths taking them outside the country to live in these foreign countries
God has used me to help at least 60 dancers to go outside the country some are
back now as dance instructors in the country the government doesn’t see these
they focus too much on oil and football
E.P: Your take on government
attitude to the art?
Answer: I see my self as an
entrepreneur and I can be waiting for the government I have never waited for
government all my life although we think differently some of my colleagues will
always wait for the government even when I was young I don’t wait for my daddy
I do things by myself my father always testify to that, I make things happen
for people I don’t wait for things to happen even for people to keep them busy
even the less privilege so today I have dancers that I have helped to the U.S,
Germany, Holland, France, Austria and Korea likewise some are in Asia where I
have strong contacts for them to be able to use the platform of dance to be
somebody in life I do this through residence programmes abroad.
E.P: How can dancers contact you?
Answer: Through social media I think
I left Nigeria 1994 for 8 years it was off and on but in 2002 I decide to come
to Nigeria to work with other dancers
because I myself was trained by other people we tour the world and came first
in Africa even the Big Brother contestants like Thin Tall Tony he was with me
for many years also another guy in the same competition Frank Koway were part
of my dancers my artist are also part of the BBN they are best trained and
discipline but the government I have tried everything possible to link them to
support what we are doing but because we are not politicians they don’t
acknowledge our efforts but by and large what am happy about is that I have
been able to tell Nigerian dancers that dance is a profession that is worth it,
it is a noble profession not an hobby from which they can make money and fame.
E.P: There is spectacle of dance and
music going together you have done a lot of collaboration how did that happen
especially Olori Oko?
Answer: I think for me if your music
is good and have the type of message that is good for the society the one I did
with Olori Oko, Project Fame, with Edaoto, one for Nigeria dance work out I am
keen on inspirational music I am a father I want my children to see me as a
father not just a role model but a good one at that.
E.P: For somebody to excel in dance
what should be your advice to them with your experience
Answer: I started dancing because I
have passion for it but in 1995 I started making like hundred thousand so I was
surprised even when the money started coming I was not taking cognizance of it
I was more interested in the message am passing through dance to the people
they have to be steadfast, work hard and believe in themselves. Am in dance
business because I am a business man now am a consultant be patient a step at a
time wait for your own time life is turn by turn be very very prayerful,
believe in God because without God nothing is possible.
E.P: Your humility touched me at our
first encounter?
Answer: I always believe you don’t
need to over hype yourself I believe my parents have done a lot of work on me
which is what I tell my children now to be humble and respect people which is very
important especially now when people who have nothing to offer would sing about
million million naira it is good to have money but bring your head down for God
to bless you be humble.
E.P: How lucrative is the dance
profession especially to many people who would like to make dance a profession?
Answer: Dance is lucrative if you do
it the right way if you don’t do it the right way you won’t be able to get
anything there is the business aspect of dance equally there is a corporate
aspect of dance that’s why I said it is step by step I have been in these
business for 25 years now but the young generation want everything quick (instantly).
Don’t over hype yourself I know projects that I can collect 1 million but I
don’t want it to be my priority I need the money but money is not the ultimate
without money I won’t be able to do anything I don’t let money be my first
priority.
E.P: Tell us about your family?
Answer: Yes am married with three
kids and God has been taking care of my family he has done beyond my
imagination I give God the glory.
E.P: Your message to your fans
Answer: My message to my fans? I
called them followers because when you called them fans is like you are be little
them, they are my family and friends and I will continue to do my best not to
let them down I like them to continue to pray from for good health and for me
to be able to bring new creativity into dance.
E.P: What would you like to say to
your daughter who is celebrating her birthday today?
Answer: Em to my daughter Ayomide
that is celebrating her birthday today I want to let you know that daddy love
you and I will continue to support you to become all that God have sent you to
become on Earth and I know you will get to your destination Happy Birthday my
daughter Ayomide God Bless you.
E.P: What is the name of your band
and how many members are with you in the band?
