Akinmade Akinleye, son of the legendary NTA broadcaster Kolawole Akinleye made waves at the just-concluded Music Video African Awards (MVAA), bagging the prestigious titles of “Best Photographer of the Year” and “Inspirational Man of the Year.”
The event, held to honor excellence in Africa’s creative industries, saw Akinmade celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the world of photography and visual storytelling.
In his acceptance speech, Akinmade paid homage to his late mentor, Babatunde Adisa Akinleye, the renowned tech guru, who had a profound influence on his career.
“Without the tutelage of Babatunde Adisa Akinleye, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He shaped my journey in ways I could never imagine,” Akinmade remarked.
He specially acknowledged the role his mentor played in molding his success.
Akinmade’s roots in Ibadan were also a central theme in his speech, with one of his awards dedicated to the city that nurtured his early career.
“Ibadan is where it all started,” he proudly stated as he expressed deep gratitude to the city for shaping his creative vision and inspiring his path to greatness.”
He also extended a heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for him, sharing his love and respect for his friends, family, and the entire Optimistic Visuals team. “This award belongs to everyone who has supported me. To my friends, family, and the dedicated team at Optimistic Visuals, this is for all of you,” he said.
As Akinmade left the stage, he signed off with his iconic phrase, one that has now become synonymous with his journey to stardom: “Look out for me and get used to this face.”
With two awards now under his belt, the world is indeed watching as Akinmade Akinleye continues to make his mark as one of Africa’s most influential photographers.
