Veteran actor Kayode Olaiya, popularly known as Aderupoko—a name which literally means someone who overloads a vehicle—has been recognized by this name for over thirty years.
As a professional actor, he believes that the name, which he initially disliked, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.Aderupoko, who preferred to conduct the interview in Yoruba, shared the story of how he acquired his stage name and his journey into acting.
Aderupoko, who preferred to conduct the interview in Yoruba, shared the story of how he acquired his stage name and his journey into acting.
Your real name is Kayode Olaiya
But many people call you Aderupoko.
How did you come about your stage name?
I think I should ask you how you got to know that I am Kayode Olaiya.
The story behind the name Aderupoko is long, but I’ll share it if time allows. I started my career with Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) and Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (WNBC), the first in Africa, at Agodi in Ibadan as a storyteller.
It was a live program, and we went on air between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
When the late sage Obafemi Awolowo introduced TV. Where the Oyo State Government House Stand today used to be a bushy area.
My friends and I often went there to pluck mangoes and hew trees. I was a student then.
One day, while we were returning from plucking mangoes, a man approached us and asked if we could tell stories. We were about eight, but all my friends Except me.
He called me over, and to my surprise, he asked if I could bring my friends to tell evening stories.
I agreed and was responsible for relaying the message to my friends.
Eventually, the late Hubert Ogunde came in for a stage performance called Olo ngbo Dudu How did those people ensure that you stayed? Did they entice you in any way?
Yes, I remember that we only drank soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Fanta during festive seasons like Christmas and Ileya.