A socialite, Prince Muyideen Adelani Odoffin, popularly known as Chicago or Odoffin, has been in the United States since 1980. Here, he speaks on how he became popular in Nigerian social circles, his plan to move back to the country. Excerpts:
You got to the United States of America in 1980, when Nigeria was still relatively thriving, why did you decide to leave the shores of the country at that time?
I was 20 years old when I left Lagos in 1980. I went to school in Nigeria; I had my primary school education at An-sarudeen and my secondary school education at the National College of Command then. When I finished my secondary school education, I went to the Lagos State College of Science and Technology, where I was studying Banking and Finance and that was when I had the opportunity to travel to the US to further my education; so I came to the US in 1980, Chicago to be precise, and I have been here since.
How were you able to cope when you first arrived in the US?
I had a big uncle here in Chicago, so I came to meet him. People call him ‘Senior,’ but his name is Suraj Adekunle Odoffin. So I came to stay with him, and he was the one who helped me, so the transition from Nigeria to American life was so easy for me because of his support.
Nigerians are very sociable, so what is the difference between the social life in Nigeria and that of Chicago?
It is two different worlds. The way we enjoy life in Lagos is quite different from how they enjoy life in Chicago. The social life is not the same thing, we try to make it look like it, but Nigeria is Number 1 when it comes to that aspect, in my own view.
You are so popular in Nigerian social circles since the 1980s that even many musicians sang your praises; how did you gain that prominence?
I love going out to parties back in the 1980s and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal is my friend; we grew up together in Lagos, and I am from Agarawu, so he can say he is from Idioluwo or Agarawu; he is from both, and I am from there. I knew him since then, long time ago, before he became so popular. I had been his fan since I was still Lagos, and when I got to Chicago, it took me about eight years before I returned to Lagos. So since then, I think 1987/1988, I have been going back to Lagos frequently, and when I am around, I attend parties and other social gatherings. I think that was how I became popular. I just love to have fun.
Some Nigerians believe those who musicians sing their praises later have things turn for the worse for them, what is your view about this?
I don’t believe in this. The truth is that there is time for everything; there is a time to enjoy and have fun, and there comes a time when one will believe one has had enough. So, that we are not hearing some of these people again does not mean they are no longer doing well; some may just want to keep low profiles, and even, age also plays a role. When one attains certain age, one will definitely reduce some things, like going clubbing, moving up and down with friends, among other things. So I don’t believe because they are reducing their social lives, then things have not been fine with them. In fact, the majority of the people Marshal sang for in the past are still doing well today, although they may have reduced their social activities.
So, what business are you really into?
When I finished school, I started clubbing business in Chicago, but I didn’t really like the way it turned out. I went back and worked 9-5. Hopefully, I am planning on starting another business, which is hotel business. This time, I have more time for it and my experience working 9-5 will also come in handy.
Do you plan having the business in Nigeria or US?
Yes, I am definitely going to move to Nigeria, and I am working on it. I will be coming shuttling between the two countries. I am from Nigeria, and I am an American citizen as well. Glory be to God for that. It is not by my doing but the doing of Allah and I appreciate Allah for that. I will be visiting Chicago once in a while for my medical check-ups, among other things, but I will move back to Lagos permanently; Lagos is home.
You have been in the US since 1980, and now, there are people moving out of Nigeria in droves, what advice can you give to such people?
It depends on the age grade. If you are still very young, you can embrace the opportunity, but look at what you want to achieve. Everything in the Western world is not as rosy as we view it. There are people who have good jobs in Lagos, and they decide to move, claiming security reasons, but there are more gun shootings in the Western world; it is ten times as bad as it is in Nigeria. We just try to make noise about it in Nigeria. If you are doing well in Nigeria fine, but if you are very young, you can move out of the country for your survival, especially if you want to further your education. However, if you are in your 50s, 60s and 70s, that is stupidity, in my own opinion; if you are from 30, 40, 50, you can still do more hard work.
Can you compare social life of the 80s with what we have today, especially looking at the Gen Zs?
You don’t just compare social life like that. What was good then might not be good now. Back in those days, before our time, our big brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers also enjoyed their lives in one way or the other, and they believed they had it so good. So when our generation came, we enjoyed life as well, so this current generation is also having their time. You, however, can’t expect them to love the kind of fun we had during our time. Having said this, if you ask me to pick, I will still pick my time and the younger ones too will pick their time because they don’t have the opportunity that we had because they were not around then.
What is your take on this current administration of President Bola Tinubu?
I am not a politician, but I feel he is doing very well, and it is not because I am Yoruba, and he is Yoruba; I am looking at it from the angle of what he has been facing and the efforts to tackle them. He is tackling what most of our past leaders could not tackle. So, we view things differently and from my own perspectives, he is doing well. However, nobody can be 100 per cent perfect, but I give kudos to his administration.
Can you share a bit of your background?
Once again, I am Prince Muyideen Adelani Odoffin. My alias is ‘Chicago,’ that is, everybody calls me ‘Chicago’ or ‘Odoffin.’ I am from Lagos State, Ikorodu Local Government. My dad is from Ikorodu and my mum is from Abeokuta. I was born and raised in Lagos, so I am a typical Lagos guy. I went to school in Lagos before moving to Chicago. In Chicago, I attended the Chicago State University, started a business and worked a little bit as an auditor in the early 90’s and I have been on my own since then.
Ofin Gbangba oremi