Arisekola Alao’s son, Umar Arisekola-Alao is the Oyo State
Commissioner for Youth and Sports. In February this year, the young and
vibrant commissioner spoke about his dad to
Punch
and how sweet growing up with him was. It’s an eye opener and the man
who was loved by many adored his 45 children. Continue below…
How was growing up like?
I was born in 1982 and I attended Methodist Primary School in Ibadan.
I began secondary education at Government College, Ibadan, and
completed it at Bodija International School, Ibadan. In 1997, I moved to
the United Kingdom and enrolled at Irwin College, where I studied
biomedical science. I obtained a second degree in accounting at St.
George’s University, Grenada, West Indies.
I have lived life in different ways that allow me to relate with so
many people in different situations. Being fortunate to have the kind of
upbringing I had, I relate well with the rich and the poor based on my
character. My experience when I was young in Nigeria was different from
when I got to England because there I grew up to adulthood.
How many siblings do you have and how do you relate with them?
It will take much time if I have to name them. There are 45 children
in our house with different mothers but we do not regard any of the
mothers as a step-mother. To the children, all the mothers are the same.
We spent time with them regularly when we were young.
At home, the elder children take care of the younger ones so I learnt
a lot from my siblings. When I returned home to invest in an oil and
gas business, it was my brothers who helped me out. We have a good
relationship in the family despite the large number. We have had
misunderstandings in the past but they only made us stronger.
How often do you see your father?
It is difficult to pin down my father because of his busy nature.
Before I was born, he had been living the way he is now, so one cannot
change him. He receives a lot of visitors each day as a religious leader
and businessman. He helps so many people and they keep coming to him.
So, it’s difficult to get his full attention.
How did you come to terms with the situation?
It’s not about me alone but the family. It took us a while to
understand why he lives like that and his mindset. But in all, I have
always had a beautiful relationship with him. He is a fantastic mentor
who finds joy in putting his children on the right path. He allows
everyone to reason freely with his guidance but education is one thing
he takes pride in. He gave us the best he could in Nigeria and abroad.
What have you learnt from him?
My upbringing gives me the opportunity to understand a lot about
humanity. I got to know that beyond all the certificates, service to
humanity is the greatest way to achieve joy. We are all human beings and
no matter what we do, the kind of names we coin for ourselves point to
who we are. I lived with a philosopher and a man of wisdom and the
opportunity to watch him closely reflected on the way I perceive life
today. My exposure in the course of studying abroad also helped my
understanding. Part of his lesson to us is that when good things come
our way, we should learn to thank God and share with others. When
something unpleasant happens also, we should learn to run to God and
find happiness in such a situation.
Did your father influence the courses his children chose to study?
My father allows all his children to choose the path they want but he
will advise on what one chooses because he has wide knowledge about
life. Politics is one area he does not wish that any of his children
should go into. He understands it very well having been around for a
long time.
But things are changing now because someone like me has chosen to
participate in politics. When I was in the Caribbean, I was involved in
many charity works and poverty alleviation schemes. It built my passion
to help others and move closer to people at the grass roots. My father
understands that I have some skills in that area but he did not tell me
to join any particular political party. It happened so quickly and my
career in politics took off soon after my return to Nigeria. He realises
also that I have an interest in being part of the people uplifting our
generation and he respects me for that. I later met him and he gave his
blessings to my desire.
Considering the number of children in the family and the
busy schedule of your father, how much time does he spend with his
children?
Like I said, his life has been this way before we were born. The door
to the house is always open to the public. We still see little of him
but we get anything we want from him and not just money. He does not
give preference to his children. We are treated like anyone who comes to
the house for help.
Did he ever beat you or any of his children?
When I was young, I entered his living room while he was in the other
room and the phone rang. I picked it up and answered it. The person
told me a name which I knew well so I called my dad and gave the phone
to him. But the man told him he was someone else so he moved close to me
and asked me again who was on the line, I repeated the wrong name the
man told me. He was angry and he slapped me hard. It was the man’s fault
but it also showed how intolerant my father is of mistakes.
Were there events that brought the family together?
At night, after he had attended to all his visitors and shut the
gate, we would all come together and eat from one pot. It was usually a
large gathering and even our friends, who came on a visit, would join in
the feast. Then during the month of Ramadan, he would sit with his
children at a table to break each fast. The wives were not allowed to be
part of the gathering.
Aren’t there parts of his life that he shields from you?
He has no secret. He shares his life experience with us whenever he
has the opportunity to do so. We enter his room regularly, even with my
friends. He has lived in the eyes of the public for so long so he can
hardly hide anything about his belief, wives, children, business and
other aspects of his life.
My dad has no time to take his children for shopping or to fun places
especially in Nigeria. In those days when he wanted to go on holidays,
he would buy flight tickets for everyone. We stayed in London most of
the time so he could have time to visit great places with us. He spent
quality time with us outside Nigeria but at home, we did not enjoy such
opportunities.
When was the first time he took you on such trips?
I can’t remember the year but I remember that there were more than 40
people who travelled with him to London, including my cousins. It was
during the opening of our house in London. It was a memorable period for
the children. We have travelled together each year since then.
What surprises you about him?
I could not believe that my father could cook very well until one day
in London when he was alone with my younger siblings. We just arrived
in London a few days earlier so we were going out when he opted out.
Some children also stayed back but by the time we returned later in the
day, he had prepared pounded yam and some nice vegetable soup. His wives
doubted him, thinking he bought it but he told them that his mother
taught him everything in life, so cooking food was not something he
could not do. He said as a Yoruba man, he knew how to take care of
himself regardless of the situation he found himself. But in Nigeria,
like I said, he has restrictions because of the little time he has to
himself.
Which food does he like most?
He is an Ibadan man, so like many of his kinsmen, he likes amala and
bean soup (gbegiri) with ewedu. He can eat it in the morning, afternoon
and night except when we force him to eat something else.
How does he relate with his staff?
To him, they are like his children and friends of his children. We
are of Muslim background and my father is an influential figure among
Muslims in Yoruba land. He is the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land. But we
have many Christians on the staff list. He has sponsored all the Muslims
to Mecca and the Christians to Jerusalem. He does it every year. His
only cook for 40 years is a Christian named Simeon. He is the only one
that cooks for him.
How does he keep fit?
Let me tell you a story. He was walking in the garden one day when a
young lady came in through the gate that was close to him. She greeted
him and told him that she came to see Arisekola-Alao, my father. My
father told her to go in and have her seat but she did not know that she
had already seen the person she was looking for. About 30 minutes
later, my father went to see her after changing his clothes. She was
surprised to know that she was actually talking to my father 30 minutes
earlier.
Many people expect to meet a big man with huge belly and flowing rob
when they hear his name but they are often disappointed that the man
they seek is one with lean figure and simple dress sense.
He does not jog or go to the gym but he is not idle. All he does is
talk, to people, solve problems daily and take a rest at a fixed time.
He sits at 7am and goes in after 10pm. The routine suits his body and
that is why he has maintained the figure. He does not see himself the
way people see him.
What does he do before going to bed at 10pm?
He does not sleep at 10pm but after 12am. When he retires to his
room, he prepares traditional herbs to drink after dinner. He is
knowledgeable about traditional herbs. Then he reads the Holy Quran,
prays and attends to mails, and a few other things before going to bed.
One thing about him is that his mind is active always.
Who among his children is he mentoring to take over from him?
I am not sure he has such a plan because he allows everyone to reason independently. He encourages us to be the best we can be.
Who is his barber?
He shaves by himself. I learned that from him too, so I have no barber.
What other traits have you imbibed from him?
From him, I have learnt that life is what you make of it. No matter
who you are, be humble always. We are not flamboyant, we live modestly
and we tolerate the next person. Accommodating people is a quality my
father preaches always.
Is there a burden you carry as the son of a billionaire?
We were raised like other children so unless I tell you who I am, my
dressing, car or the way I live will not betray me. I carry no burden as
a billionaire’s son. You don’t hear or read about us in the media and
we try to maintain the good name of the family. This interview would not
have taken place if I had not become a commissioner in the state. In
fact, I thought of calling it off but I respect my words to people. I am
fortunate to be what I am but I do not abuse the grace.
Does your father keep relics of his past?
He does not have a space to keep that in his house. His first car was
given out to someone and some other properties have been given out to
people. When Datsun was in vogue, he was a dealer and I remember that he
told us that he gave out many cars to people who did not have money to
buy.
Is the family bringing back Lister Oil?
It is a family business and I have other siblings who are in the oil
and gas business. A decision can only be made when we all sit down and
discuss it.
The last time we 
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