I was born in Ajegunle, AJ City [a ghetto in Lagos] but I grew up feeling good about the area, although I liked Liverpool FC and Lagos side Stationary Stores as a boy, I support Manchester United because of Roy Keane and Eric Cantona.Keane was such a great character and he always made me smile with his dedication to United’s cause while I love Cantona’s goal celebrations.
My late dad [Ganiyu Okeleji] kept my head right and told me to go for my dreams, which is what I am doing now
I played football while I was very young but I also focused on my studies as it was the only thing I could do to challenge the rich kids, while I also had the option of attending Islamic school to become a scholar and maybe an Imam like my dad.
I liked the many options but becoming a journalist and working for the BBC was the dream and ambition and my father knew it.
When I was in high school I did excellently well in the 100m and 200m as well - I cannot remember my best time for the 100m but I know it was 10 seconds and something, which was good enough to get me into the school 4x100 relay team.
I just loved all sports really but football was the one that got me cracking and I didn't really bother with anything else.
I got pulled out of Arabic class after two years because the deal with Dad was to finish reading the Holy Quran and then focus on academics, so when that was accomplished I was happy to face just school.
Football nearly took over really but I was smart enough to know that other kids had only football option while I was alright in football and alright at school and I knew what I was doing.
I did my Maths, English and Science GCSEs - and got Cs in all of them - but everything else I had to stop to get admission into the University or the Polytechnic to study Mass Communication.
Ever since those early days my father remains the biggest influence on my career and my hero - even though he was poor- he was the richest man when it comes to wisdom and Islam, not strict and fanatical, even told me to attend church when and if am invited.
He kept me grounded as I was growing up, got prizes in spellings and literature competitions which gave me the confidence I could make it big.
I am from Alaba near Ajegunle, which is one of the toughest areas in Lagos, and it is hard enough as a teenager anyway - you go through a lot of changes and you can get led down the wrong path.
But my dad kept my head right and told me to go for my dreams, which is what I am doing now even though he is not here to see.
I was left to do what I wanted to do but he gave me advice and if he thought something was wrong he would tell me.
I had been a guest analyst several times but he missed watching me on TV presenting Sports for the first time because we had no TV set at home - and that was on National Television for that matter.
I couldn't blame him for that though! I couldn't afford to buy him a TV then as I was just in my first year at the university and had to hawk on highway to even get the tuition fee and what have you.
But here I am 10-years after the tribulations; loads of folks we grew up together are either dead due to crime or failed to live their football dreams.
Many top players like former African footballer of the year Emmanuel Amuneke, Samson Siasia, Tarila Okorowanta, Ifeanyi Udeze and Peter Ijeh all come from AJ but hundreds better than them are heartbroken and mentally dead.
I am grateful to God for my life and the opportunity as I am doing good, I’ve got my BBC dream realised since 2004, I write for two top football magazines in Africa, I’ve met the top African players and all these due to my childhood choice.
Guess am moving on a fast lane and God has been good to me, I have a little son [Jamal] who remains the joy of my life, I see my father in him hence his native name Babatunde [return of the father].
Against all odds am here standing and surviving!
Originally published in 2007
