FOCUS PERSONALITY: KUNLE ADEPOJU

Camera-Evangelist, Adekunle Adepoju as fondly called was given birth to, about four (4) decades back at Ibadan. He’s an indigene of Iragbiji Town, Boripe Local Government of Osun State and is the fourth child of the family of Mr and Mrs R. Adeyemi Adepoju.

He had his primary education at St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Yemetu, Ibadan between the years 1985 and 1990. He furthered his education at Anglican Commercial Grammar School but due to the creation of Osun State from Oyo State, he moved with his parents to Ikirun where he completed his secondary school academics at Akinorun Grammar School. He proceeded to the Polytechnic, Ibadan for his Ordinary National Diploma in Electrical-Electronics between 1999 and 2002 and also participated in a professional training course in film-making (Directing) at Pencils Film and Television Institute popularly known as PEFTI. During his undergraduate days, he worshiped at CACSA Fellowship (Christ Apostolic Church Students’ Association), Poly Ibadan.

Sir Kunle Adepoju developed passion for film-making since his first year in secondary school and this passion became pronounced during his SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme) days at Kaytechnical Evangelical Films in the year 2001 where he met Adeyemi Opabunmi (his first and only boss in camera-handling) who happened to be the chief-editor of the studio, then. There, he had the first training to learn camera-handling and his opening opportunity to shoot with a camera during the Ibadan Great Gospel Crusade by Reinhard Bonnnke. That was when he developed an unquenchable interest for cinematography. He was able to gather the little he could, regardless of the short time scheduled for the SIWES programme but he added more value through self-development and has since been moving relentlessly.

He started MEDRAM (Maranatha Evangelical Drama Ministry) at Eruwa during his undergraduate days at the polytechnic, Ibadan satellite campus in 2002. MEFA (Medram Film Academy), a training arm of MEDRAM Films, later came into limelight in 2017.

By God’s Grace, he has recently worked with Kolawole Okeowo, Kayode Oyebode, Adeoye Omoniyi, Kayode Babalola, Isaac Femi Akintunde, Seyi Pedro Adetola, Moji Ogunlana, Victor Olukoju, Femi Ajewole and Ayo Ajewole to mention a few.

He’s an outstanding cinematographer who still creates time to see movies especially for assessment and self improvement. He disclosed that one of the common challenges he faces on set, is working with substandard equipments which wastes effort and also frustrate skills.

Kunle Adepoju’s huge contributions to the development and raising the standard of gospel films in Nigeria is exceptional. He’s not only skilled in cinematography but in everything that has to do with filmmaking.

“Learn what you want to become, work with the knowledge you have acquired without thinking about money first, make a good name with your faithfulness and be diligent at work. I’m very sure you are close to prosperity”.  His advice to cinematographers.

Compiled By: Ifeoluwa ORISAKAHUNSI
C.E.O, gospelfilmsng