From growing up in a modest family of six to leaving the polytechnic rather than joining a cult, Pius Fatoke has built a career spanning more than two decades as a sound professional in Nigeria’s film and television industry.
In Part Two of this conversation with Kingsley Akam, Pius continues his story, reflecting on the intimidation he faced from cultists at the polytechnic, his determination to pursue his talent, his journey of self-education, and the struggle for recognition faced by technical professionals in Nigeria’s film and television industry. He also discusses remuneration, equipment standards, the importance of connections, and the lessons he believes young Nigerians must learn from his experience.
Kingsley Akam: Let me take you back to your family. You said there were six of you, and you grew up in a modest environment. How would you describe the support your family gave you?
Pius Fatoke: My family has really supported me because they gave me life. They allowed me to come into their family and become part of their lives.
I always see that as a very great opportunity. It is not an easy decision for somebody to say, “Okay, we want to have a family now,” whether the pregnancy is planned or not.
I see it as God’s way, as something God has destined.
So, I appreciate the support of my family, and I will always appreciate it.
I remember a few times before my late father passed away. He would tell people, “Come and see my son. He participated in this production.”
My name would be written in the credits. Even though people might not see my face, they would see my name at the end of the film.
There was a particular day my dad noticed that my name had been misspelled.
He called me and said, “Pius, are you okay?”
I said, “I’m fine.”
He asked, “Did you change your name?”
I said, “Change my name? No.”
He told me he had watched a movie and noticed that my name had been written incorrectly. Instead of the correct letter at the end of my surname, they had used another one.
He felt offended, as if perhaps I had changed my name.
I told him it must have been a typographical or graphic error.
He said they should correct it.
That day, I felt like I had won an award.
It was not that they had given me anything. I just felt that my dad really loved what I was doing because he was inviting people to come and see his son’s work.
I realised that I had the full support of my family.
From that day, I started paying more attention to how people spelled my name. If they did not spell it correctly, I would always correct them.
I felt that what I was doing had the full support of my family.
And thank God I got married. I have been married to my wife for over 20 years now, and I have never regretted it.
My wife has never regretted it either. There is full support.
Akam: Let me take you back to your polytechnic days. I want you to talk to young people who may find themselves in a similar situation.
Were you depressed when you made the decision to leave the polytechnic? And did your family support your decision?
Fatoke: Well, dropping out of school, I don’t think I regretted it in totality.
No, I never regretted it.
When I look back at my life, I can remember some of my friends and playmates from those days. I can see where some of them are today, and I am sure some of them have not reached the level I have reached.
I’m not saying dropping out of school is good. It is not.
But I made a very strong decision that I believe was right for me.
Today, I have become a study for others. I go out, I make presentations, I tutor people and I give speeches at seminars and other places.
People see me and ask, “Where did you study? How did you get all this experience? How did you work it out?”
And I give them a simple answer:
Focus, focus and focus.
When you focus on something you love, it will definitely reward you.
My advice to young people is this: first, love what you are doing.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted by other things.
Today, we are in the era of the internet. When we were growing up, there was not much internet, but we still focused and achieved what we were meant to achieve.
In my life, I have gone to places I never believed I would reach, whether with my education or without it.
I have had the opportunity to work with top people in the world—presidents, governors, chiefs and kings.
I have had the opportunity to microphone people like Dangote, Femi Otedola and others.
All of that happened because I focused on my goal and focused on what I really loved doing.
It gave me the opportunity to go places.
My first American visa came through my job.
Every trip I have made in my life has been through my job.
I never put money first. I always put the interest of the job first.
So, why should I not be focused on doing it better and better?
Akam: Cultism remains a major problem in our society. What would you say to somebody who is already involved in cultism?
And what would you say to somebody who is about to enter a university, polytechnic, college of education or even secondary school, where they may be exposed to cultism?
Fatoke: For somebody who has been involved in cult activities, first and foremost, think about your life.
Then think about the generation you want to give birth to.
Think about the opportunity your parents gave you. How do you want to make your life better than where you are now?
That is the first thing you need to think about.
Ask yourself: Does this thing pay you? Will this thing cause you pain at the end? When you are caught, will you be proud of yourself?
When you look back at your life, will you be proud that you came into this world and achieved what you wanted to achieve?
You need to tell yourself the truth.
No amount of preaching or advice will change your mind until you accept that you want to change.
They can put ten preachers, ten advisers or ten counsellors around you, but there is a moment when you are alone and you have to tell yourself:
“Man, I’m not that young anymore. I’m getting older. Is this thing I’m doing going to pay off? Do I want to associate myself with this name?”
Think about the names you give yourself—the names you are not proud of and the way people call you.
How do you want people to remember you? I would put it this way: if you have a wound on your back, who is going to help you clean it or make it better? Those are the things I would tell people who have been involved in cultism.
The first thing is to tell yourself the truth:
“I’m no longer interested. I want to be good for myself.”
And for young people who think, “Let me join this cult; it will make me stronger, make me bigger, and people will know me,” I ask them: Do you really want to be known for a bad name?
First, ask yourself that question. If the answer is no, then don’t do it. You don’t need to.
Focus on the good side of life and let that become your reference point anytime, any day.
It is a matter of choice and a matter of making the right decision for yourself.
Don’t listen to every voice around you. Don’t let people on the street influence you.
What is good is good, and what is bad is bad.
Akam: Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.
Fatoke: You’re welcome.
To be continued…
