By GBENGA ADERANTI
Dr. Segun Akindayini left for the United Kingdom at the age of 20 years. Although his life revolves around entertainment, he was for many years an academic. Only recently, he set up Chicago Bar Grill and Motel in Ogun State in addition to his chain of businesses. For 10 years, he was a lecturer at Tames University in the United Kingdom. He was also one of the people that pioneered the marketing of Nigerian films in the UK with the setting up of African Video Centre in the early 90s. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, Akindayini talks about the challenges of coming from abroad to do business in Nigeria, life in the UK and US and his regrets, among other issues. Excerpts:
YOUR lounge and office are dotted with pictures of revolutionaries like Fidel Castro, Fela and Bob Marley. Does it mean you share their philosophies?
The people you have mentioned are unique individuals. They speak to my life sort of. You would see Muhammed Ali, Malcom X, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Michael Jackson; not forgetting Mariam Makeba and Oprah Winfrey. These people are like mentors to me. I surround myself with them. I won’t call myself a revolutionary, but I always like to reinvent myself. If you continue on one form or field for so long, you could be an expert. There is nothing wrong with that. But it is nice to have little bit of side interest. So I always like to reinvent myself.
What was growing up in Europe like?
It is a different life. In Europe, it was challenging. When I first travelled, I was 20 years old. That was in 1977. I was born in 1957. My early life in Europe was for studying. Before I left Nigeria, I did City and Guild Electrical Installation Work. In England, I did my OND, HND and first degree. I went through the academic route. In the early days, it was easier. You could, as long as you’re not lazy, do part time work and study and still make a living, as long as you know you are focused. However, the Europe of that time is totally different from the Europe of this day and age. But with the advent of technology, you don’t really have to go abroad to do things or to make waves. You can do that in the corner of your bedroom via the internet. Life in the early 80s was more challenging.
Nowadays, there is no difference between living in Lagos and living in the New York. The CNN is the same thing worldwide. The point is that everything is within your reach. The opportunities are there but you have to be able to make sacrifice to achieve what you are aiming at. America is a bigger apple. There are bigger and better opportunities and racial integration is more acceptable in the other side of the Atlantic, which is the US. In some countries in Europe, even today, they are still skeptical if you are black. It is a different ball game comparing Europe to Africa where we are now.
Do you sometime feel like going back to your lecturing job in Europe?
I’ve lived my life in Europe; I will only love to go back for holiday. I have my children there. I have my home there but Nigeria is my home and I’m based here fully. I wish I could live in Nigeria for the remaining part of my life, though I always love to go back on trips. On going back for education and teaching, in education, you learn every day. That time of my life is over now. I’ll rather say I want to establish another Chicago somewhere, which is education as well. I don’t think I can go back to teaching in Europe. I don’t know what you can offer me to go back into teaching. I enjoyed it.
Your hat is always with you. Is that a signature or what?
I don’t know. I wear various hats but I just like this particular one.
How does your wardrobe look like?
Casual, simple, smart, inventive. I like to be daring so you see me with different crazy hats or crazy outfits. It goes with show business. It is an image of Houston in Chicago.
Any regrets?
Not knowing God before now. In the early parts, you forget that there is a source to everything. This achievement of Chicago Bar Grill and Motel came to be with the work of God in my life, and it shows that when you are facing some challenges, you revert to where the source of things originated. You learn to know God, read your bible, it helps really. This has helped me to know God. I wish I had known God earlier, when I was younger. It wouldn’t have been this kind of journey. Maybe it would have been different. The consolation is God’s plan is for my life as it is in the bible. I’m glad that I can now try to work hand in hand with the Creator.
Tell me about an experience you had abroad that you would never forget.
I think the worst day in my life in the United Kingdom was when I was locked out in winter by a close relative. But that led me into the glory I’m enjoying now. So I would say that was the worst day of my life. I would also say that was the beginning of the best days of my life. The day I was locked out of my home with my children in the house; that was the transformation of my life.
When you started hospitality business, what were the initial challenges?
The challenges we are facing at Chicago’s Bar Grill and Motel is like the challenge every small business in the developing world faces. First of all, the opportunities are there. No matter the field you happen to be interested in, it is viable. Golden opportunities are here in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. But there is inherent problem of power. You become a local government to yourself. You provide all the basic and essential things people take for granted in places like Europe. It is all part and parcel of what you have to worry about in addition to worrying about your business. You have to be able to prepare your mind and take that in your stride.
However, that is something you have to face head on. ‘Chicago’ has been fortunate in the sense that it appeals across board. If you are sad, if you need something to pep you up, you can come to buy drink or listen to music; something to take your mind off your worries. It is a place of amusement. My field is like happy therapy of doctors. You need to come here; we give you a good environment, send you back in a happy mood that will help you face your life challenges in other areas. Because Chicago is being well accepted by the general public, the challenges or the pressure has not been that much. Although the challenges are still there, because you see some results coming, you really appreciate this and you still want to go forward. It encourages you. That is more or less the kind of drive that helps me face the challenges concerning setting up a business in this kind of environment. Face the challenges and you take it step by step. Keep pushing and you will achieve your aim. You can then stand tall and say yes, I’ve done it or yes, I’ve made it. It is easier abroad. You have the support of banks, rich families. You take things for granted. It happens so fast. Here you do it yourself, which is better. Really, it prepares your mind and makes you who you are.
Why did you adopt the name Chicago?
The name Chicago is a trade name I’ve always loved. I’ve been to Chicago many times. I’ve lived most of my life in Europe, UK to be precise. I do travel across to the United States, Chicago. In addition to that, there is an entertainment club chain that is called Chicago in the United Kingdom. It originated from Chicago and I’ve been part and parcel of that company. The influence of that kind of place played a major role in our plan to replicate that kind of idea or initiative in Nigeria; that is why I have the name Chicago. It is easier and catchy. People would want to know what Chicago is, and it rings a bell.
Why did you decide to site Chicago in Akute, Ogun State, of all places? One would have expected you to site the brand in a high brow area in Lagos?
They are two-fold actually. It happened by chance that I have a property in Akute. I found that because of the objective of the vision of Chicago, it could be located anywhere. It is not where it is located but the service that we provide. We provide tangible service with a reasonable price and value for money. If the environment is unique, people will find you out, no matter where you are. I also believe that the package of Chicago initiative and Chicago Motel itself is good enough anywhere. It is perfectly located.
What were you doing before you ventured into hospitality business?
I used to live in London and I worked there. Like many people of my age, we left Nigeria to study many years back. I have a PhD in Material Science. My first degree was in Electrical/Electronics. I lectured in the United Kingdom for many years and veered into business. I came back to Nigeria 10 years ago with one of my productburglar alarms. It was marketed by the famous Mahogany Production. The outfit was owned by the former Village Headmaster, Mr. Femi Robinson, and it was popular on the television. We did business with television companies- NTA and others. Eventually, it turned into entertainment outfit. I took Nollywood films or Nollywood initiative back to the United Kingdom. That was in 1990. I’ve always been into entertainment or hospitality one way or the other. Entertainment is priceless, unique and universal. So my returning back home, I found that there is an outlet for this kind of outfit that we have.
Why are you still not lecturing, considering the fact that most people don’t leave academics till they retire?
I was in it for about 10 years. I did my PhD in 1985 at the Tames Polytechnic, which is now Tames University or as they call it, Great Nation University in London. For five years, I was lecturing in the same place and developing some trade secrets material for the defence. After that, I lectured there for another five years. I had 10 years of education establishment environment and I just wanted a change really. If there is something in you, you can apply it in any area of life. Because it is your knowledge, it doesn’t go away from you. I was tired of it (education), but I really enjoyed it. It was good I found out that business, meeting new people, art and entertainment came to take more of my attention. And I became happier because when you’re into lecturing, it is always serious research. I just got tired of it and I wanted something that would free my brain a little bit, hence I went into entertainment.
What about your security outfit?
That went on. That was my first company: Abulon Electronics. We were manufacturing inverters and burglar alarm system that is 24-hour controlled and linked to the police stations. It was quite good. We sold if off and we concentrated on producing films and marketing films in the United Kingdom.
If you were to advise somebody coming to invest in Nigeria, what are the things you are likely to tell the person?
The person has to know that it is a different world here totally. That person who has been living abroad and wanting to relocate has to have that frame of mind that yes, you’re leaving a comfort zone. You have to know that if you continue to live in a comfort zone, you are more or less limiting yourself to your surroundings. You must first have that drive. That drive will help you adapt to the new situation.
Be prepared to face it head on. Be prepared not to grumble. People think differently here. The person coming to invest from abroad needs to know that it is a separate rule of engagement. Know your way, be focused on your ambition and project and make sure it is adding value to the country and to the people and to your own life. Because if we all do that one by one, at the end of the day, everything we are enjoying abroad is not achieved overnight and it is like being built upon. Why not come back, sow this seed in your country, in your home and try to let these things grow. If we all do this one by one, it will add up and ease the pressure for the future generation. So, I will advise go for it, be focused and face the challenges head on. Keep your eyes on the prize because at the end of the day, that is the ultimate.
From your experience, would you say hospitality business is worth investing in?
It is an industry that is changing all the time. It has its challenges. Everywhere you go, you are not going to be alone. This is where we are different in Chicago business plan. We give you comfortable environment. Our rooms are fully air-conditioned to the top range you can get, and it is affordable. Just like every industry, it is challenging and competitive. You must be unique because people like uniqueness. No matter the area of business, make yours to be different. Make yours to be of value to the customers, then you will be successful. It might take some time but you will succeed. That should be the drive.
Night life used to be buoyant. Things are different right now. How much of has this affected your business?
Definitely that has come to play in this hospitality business. You go to a bar; you are worried about how to get home. It does affect business. Yes, the security situation in really affecting the business. People still make time to have fun. But it could be better.
How much of support did Chicago get from the host community?
The main support I have from the community is that they were receptive to my ideas. So when the idea came on how we can have this sort of establishment in this kind of residential area, you have to try and educate them that you are different, you want to add value to the community, you want to be a focal point for them, a centre of attraction. We have it as our policy to contribute and give back to the community. We supply the street light from our own generator. We sort of commence the initiative of maintaining the road, which is a very hard project. When it is dark, they see light. Pedestrians can walk easily, drivers can move on fairly passable road, so it is worth both ways. Chicago has added value to where we are and the community has appreciated that and they have given us back in patronage and encouragement.
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