Obasanjo’s Internet – Oyindamola Adedipe

Did you know that there are approximately 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide? Can you imagine all the different ways in which we all use the internet? Obasanjo’s Internet is our interview series where we speak to some of our Internet favourites on how they relate to the Internet and what it means to them and their work. This week, Visual Designer and Photographer, Oyindamola Adedipe talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet. 

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Turn off my alarm. I figured it was picking up my phone, but i knew there was something that was constant, and that’s turning off my alarm. 

How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?

I use it for both, mostly for work. Actually, it could be 50/50. 

What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet

Most likely lockdown, for a few simple reasons. It showed the power of connecting with people without doing it physically. We always knew we could meet people online but it just completely showed us that we can still be together, while we are alone. It’s also how i met my girlfriend.

Your favourite social media platform and why?

Twitter, cause I get to see what is in people’s heads; how they think, and there is a lot of chaos. I love observing chaos. Twitter is the perfect amount of chaos that doesn’t spill over into extreme toxicity like Reddit and the others that are very deep. 

What was the last meme you saved?

Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it? How did it make you feel?

It has been a while. I am an illustrator and I used to do this illustration series, and one of the illustrations completely blew up to the point that I could print it on a shirt and sell it. . Till today I don’t know why it blew up – it was an illustration of the phrase “Ija wa, Ija O si, always guiding”. It made me feel seen, because it’s very easy to fall into the false narrative that people don’t really see what you’re doing because they don’t say anything, people just see and scroll, so I just felt very seen. 

What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?

So I was bored, and I tweeted an opinion that I don’t agree with just to see people’s reactions. I tweeted about Micheal Jackson being overrated and rahhh people were cursing my family. The people who knew me knew I was joking, but people I had never seen before were dragging me. I knew it was going to be a negative reaction, but then you see some reactions and you’re like woahhh. Micheal Jackson is not your family member, it’s not like I said anything that deep. 

What rules do you live by on the internet?

The same rules I live by in my life; be kind, spread love. For the internet, it’s more apparent because people are always masquerading – living fake lives – and I don’t blame them because a lot of people run away from their realities on the Internet. You do not know what people are going through and just being kind could make somebody’s day. 

What is your guiltiest online pleasure?

Ah. I’m going to make it pg 13 because it’s not at all. I would say it is watching TikTok videos about conspiracy theories. It’s either that or TikTok videos about babies, so I can hate them.

Would you say you have an online persona?

I have a persona that is the same everywhere. 

What’s your favourite emoji and why?

“🤣” because I laugh a lot on the internet. I try to curate my internet space in such a way that gives me joy, cause real life is hard. So because my socials are curated in such a way, I laugh a lot so I use that emoji to represent that laughter. 

Are you particular about your feed?

Yes I am. I have triggers so I have curated my feed to at least avoid those things. I only have things I want to see. I am very none-tolerant about things I do not want to see.

YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?

If you asked me this a couple of months ago, the answer would have been very easy. But now I think it’s a tie. I use YouTube primarily for learning, especially long form videos. But with TikTok, in 30 seconds, you can learn so much. So it’s like short form learning TikTok, long form learning YouTube.

Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?

Korty. I think out of everyone who creates, she’s the one I relate with the most in terms of content creation. Her ability to just capture that chill vibe, it’s never too serious and I really love that. hope she gets global one day. 

Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?

The name coming to my mind is a friend of mine, and I don’t want to give him props. But whatever, my friend Ovie for both. 

What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?

I said what I said.

Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?

Yes now. 

5 people you’d love to see answer these questions 

Paybac, Iseun, Korty, Sewande, Anendlessocean. 

Read previous Obasanjo’s Internet entries here.