‘I Have Had My Share of Failures, But I Never Let Them Define Me’ – Jerry Adesewo

If there ever were a person who symbolizes persistence and resilience, it would be Jerry Omo’ba Adesewo.

As a cultural practitioner, theatre director, and media man, Adesewo is always up to something. If he is not putting up plays or organizing literary competitions, he is either playing media consultant for some event, writing for some media organization, or doing all four successfully.

As such, it is hard to imagine him failing at anything. But the man himself is opening up and telling his story, from where he came to where he is at the moment, and who he is becoming, because he believes that life isn’t about a destination but an ongoing process.

Thus, in his two publications ‘The Years of Me: My Exploits, My Expansion, My Evolution’ (Recollections and Reflections) and ‘The Weight of Becoming’ (Poetry) publicly presented on March 5, to mark his 50th birthday, Omo’ba Jerry, the veteran cultural practitioner with many hats, not only reflects on his origins, but on his experiences, his accomplishments and failures, as they all impact who he is becoming.

Omo’ba owes the first positive aspect of who he is to his elder brother, Adesewo Fayaman Bay. Post his mother’s death, Adesewo took to life in the streets of Lagos. It took his brother Fayaman, who came visiting at home, to take him to Abuja to get him back on course.

While he had several mentors along the way, many of whom he acknowledged in both books, he also had to gird himself up to finish secondary school at the age of 23. Hence, his advice to young people is to “stay focused and believe in themselves and their potential”.

“It is not easy to be focused and to believe in yourself. It took me a while to do so.” To evolve and expand, “one needs to see the possibility inside of you, understand who you are and what you really want,” said Adesewo.

That, in addition to having a strong sense of ‘conviction’, makes it easier for one to undergo discomfort that leads to growth, he said.

Not every decision based on one’s conviction is a success. That means there is failure. The trick, Adesewo said, is to learn enough from your failings not to make failure a habit.

“Failure is a good reality check. Failure is meant to teach me to do things better next time. I have had my share of failures, but I have never allowed them to define me. I rise, and do it again and do it better. It is the failure to learn from your failings that is a problem.”

On what lies ahead, Adesewo revealed his personal assertion for the year 2026, “the year of me”.

He said, “It is about doing a little bit more for myself. I have been directing and staging other people’s plays. This year, I am preparing to produce three of my own plays. Publishing these two books is a part of this promise to myself.

“It doesn’t mean that my impact on society stops, no. The impact continues, God willing. But the years ahead are going to be beautiful,” concluded Adesewo.