How Car Accident almost claimed Yinka Ayefele's life in 1997
Ayefele was born in Ipoti-Ekiti, a city in Ekiti State in southwestern Nigeria.
He attended Our Saviours Anglican Primary School in Ipoti-Ekiti for his primary and secondary education before he later proceeded to Ondo State College of Arts and Science in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Ayefele worked briefly as journalist and broadcaster at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ibadan, where he also produced jingles and musical works on radio.
A long time ago, the multiple award-winning artiste used to stand, walk, run and do everything a man could do until the 12th of December 1997.
It was a ghastly accident that almost claimed his life that got Joel Olayinka Ayefele confined to a wheelchair. As a broadcaster then, he was on official duty when the accident occurred along Ibadan/Abeokuta Road.
According to Yinka Ayefele in one of his interviews, he stated that there were about 40 persons in different stages of trauma at the time he was admitted to the University College Hospital, Ibadan and him alone survived while then the rest died.
It was as a result of the accident that Yinka Ayefele released a song titled ‘Bitter Experience’ where he shared his experience about the ghastly motor accident that almost claimed his life.
Despite the challenges Yinka Ayefele faced early in life, he has remained steadfast and consistent in the music industry which has made in excel and becomes of the most successful gospel musicians in Nigeria.
This Accident damaged his spinal cord and confined him to the wheelchair.
While in the hospital after spending there about 9 months, his friend, Kola Olootu visited and advised him to put some songs together.[10] This suggestion resulted in the release of his debut album titled, Bitter Experience in 1998 which brought him into limelight.
The tragedy later became a watershed that transformed his life. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the Gospel “Tungba” crooner speaks about that turning point in his career as well as adjusting to life as a physically challenged singer.
He said: "The accident has further helped me realise how important our spinal cord is; each time I remember the pains I am going through, I reflect on the importance of the spinal cord at all times"
"The pains and the restriction alone are cumbersome. When you want to get something done you cannot do it if there is no assistance. But if you are on your feet despite being cash-strapped, you can still run around and get things done"
"I am also in terrible pains 24 hours in a day because I have five broken ribs and I still have that persistent pain. I have learnt to live with it every day. If I decide to take pills, it might cause damage to my kidney, liver or lungs so I have decided to live by it everyday. Medically, I am very fit including every other thing. I am very agile despite the pains but I try not be restricted by the pain. I don’t have any other health issues other than ‘Yinka cannot stand up."
"Several times, I will want to jump out of the wheel chair; especially whenever I am on stage. Every minute, I wish I could stand up because most times I make moves that require me to stand up and move my legs. Most times, I want to show a lot of people that I am still very fit and whenever I see people dancing to my music, I feel like joining them to dance"
Yinka Ayefele owns a radio station called Fresh FM 105.9 FM located in Oyo state. The radio station was established in 2015 and licensed by NBC on 30 April 2015.
Source: Nobelie, Premium Times, Wikipedia
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