69 year-old hotel proprietor and philanthropist Pa Julius Adinlewa reveals his love for his 35-year old Peugeot 505 car, his philosophy of money and plans for his 70th birthday. He spoke with Taiwo Abiodun.
All eyes were on 69 year-old Pa Julius Adinlewa, as he entered his car and zoomed off. He looked quite a very popular man, as he attracted praises from all around. More of the gazes however seemed to focus on his old 505 Station wagon car, with registration number AY505KTU, which many claimed, has served him for 35 years. Sighting the excited multitude, Adinlewa became quite excited himself, honking, smiling and waving. A few of the crowd sneered at him for feeling hip in such an old car, which they called ‘old school,’ but others showered praises on him for his great maintenance culture.
Responding to questions by this reporter hours later, Adinlewa however said “As for me, I feel fulfilled when people gather to watch me drive my old and renewed car.”
Features
Of course, a good part of the features have changed, Adinlewa admitted; “Many usually take it for a Jeep when I’m approaching because of its bumper, while many get confused when they see the headlights, thinking it is one latest car; but when they get closer and see that it is indeed a 505 station-wagon, they usually go wild with admiration and hail me for keeping it in good shape and maintaining it. I have changed the features, but not the structure. I put a new bumper, remolded the headlights and make it look fantastic.
“Of course some other people would look at it and shout, “So this kind motor still dey?” Adinlewa said.
“I don’t waste money”
Adinlewa who is the current President of Ondo State Association of Hoteliers is the proprietor of White Palace Hotel located in Oba-Ile, Akure said “I feel fulfilled and flattered when people talk about my car. Anytime I take a drive out, they always make it an issue and topic of discussion.
“Some rumour carriers even say that I don’t have money to buy another, which is ridiculous. But those who know me very well know that it is out of interest and curiousity,” he continued. “It is not that I don’t have the money to buy cars, but I prefer old fashioned cars to all these ones. Our people like expensive lifestyle and latest fashion, but I count all that as waste. I am not a car freak. While some who cannot afford to maintain an ordinary car will go and buy a Jeep of 10 to 15 million naira; thinking it puts them in a certain class or gives them a status symbol, the truth is that it does not. That is why all these foreign countries are using Nigeria as a dumping ground. They believe there is a market for their products here.”
My love for old cars
Reiterating his love for old vehicles, Adinlewa said “Sometime ago, somebody asked me to come and buy a brand new car for a lesser price; but I asked him whether he has an old Rolls Royce Car, and I didn’t get any response. So since then, I have not seen him again. I am not a politician but look at what the newly elected Ekiti governor, Ayodele Fayose rode to the stadium when he went for his swearing in as the new governor. Does it mean Governor Ayodele Fayose cannot afford a Jeep? He can afford it, and that is the humility, simplicity and maintenance culture we are talking about.”
Continuing, he said I believe in using my money judiciously; to assist the needy but not to be flaunting it. I don’t believe in amassing wealth without touching human lives. Many are there spending money on frivolities, women and buying exotic cars, but how many hours am I going to spend in the car? It is only the professional drivers who spend six hours or more in a vehicle. I believe in helping people and assisting the needy, not keeping a fleet of cars. I am not a car freak person! He concluded.
Genesis of his car
“I have been riding my Peugeot car for the past 35 years. I bought it for 3,000 naira from a car dealer in Ondo State. When I bought it, my friends asked me to come and ‘wash’ it for them, and I ‘washed’ it with 250 naira, for we bought drinks, food and entertained visitors and well wishers. Not long after that, Ondo state was created in 1976.”
Before then, Adinlewa revealed that he was using a Mercedes Benz, which was the reigning car in terms of fashion, newness and expensiveness. It was only the rich who could afford it. I followed it with a Peugeot because it was meant for high class people. But today instead of buying a car for two or three million naira, I decided to refurbish this car for 250,000 and it is admired everywhere.”
On what he does for a living, he Adinlewa said “I am an hotelier. I own the White Palace Hotel here in Akure, I like old vehicles and rather than waste resources, so I would just change some of the features of my old car like the rear light, the bumper and the pattern of the car. In fact you could even be confused at first about the brand.”
He also revealed that he once bought a Volkswagen Beetle that was manufactured in 1958 and used it until he could no longer get its spare parts. “I bought the Beetle from a foreigner in those days but after many years I couldn’t find its spare parts again. These old vehicles are very, very strong and durable. There was a time I once changed my old Golf Car; I went to buy a Volvo bumper for it. My thought is that one does not need to be wasteful and we should cultivate that principle of maintenance culture.
Moments of Embarrassment
Often times, Adinlewa said he has had to deal with embarrassment from people who boldly accuse him of being stingy. Some also see him as the man who wears white always; but he claims that it is his choice. “When I drove my car to Lagos about two years ago, come and see how I was bombarded with questions. I became the cynosure of everybody, as if I was performing a play in the theatre. They bombarded me with questions and I tried as much as I could to respond. I remember a white man coming to me and shaking my hands, praising me for my ability to keep such a vehicle alive. He even gave me $250.”
Continuing, Adinlewa said “Whenever people challenge me, I simply tell them that I have the money to buy another car, but that I am not interested in wasting money. The question I ask is ‘why waste money when many people are out there seeking assistance? I know how many people I employed in my hotel; I know how many I am paying their school fees and hospitals. Also the 505 Peugeot car in question does not consume fuel, so I cannot be blackmailed into spending money on rubbish. Besides, I like to be a reference point.” He concluded.
Free thinker
As this interview wound down, Adinlewa, popularly known as Baba White and well respected as a philanthropist, revealed another curious side of him. “I don’t believe in going to church for going sake .I am a Free Thinker. My mission in this planet Earth is to render my service to humanity. If I die today, they can bury me in a small space but not in a mausoleum. The car driven with joy and happiness will not be remembered. I once read a short story that when one dies and goes to heaven the angel will not ask how many houses or cars one had but how many lives you touched.”
His plan for his Next Birthday
Adinlewa said he would be clocking 70 this year and that he looks forward to buying a 70-year. “I am planning to purchase a vehicle that is 70 or over 70years old to mark my birthday this year. All Nigerian journalists are welcomed.”
