Veteran journalist and diplomat, Amb. (Dr.) Yemi Farounbi, has explained the unusual personal philosophy behind his trademark white clothing and the beard he has kept since 1964, saying both are linked to his long-standing desire for a better Nigeria.
Farounbi, who spoke in an interview with PrimeStar News Online, said he did not begin wearing white and initially had a colourful Yoruba wardrobe like many other Nigerians.
According to him, his decision to grow a beard dates back to 1964, when he became deeply disillusioned with the state of the country only a few years after independence.
He recalled, “I said, ‘This country must change,’ and I decided I was going to grow my beard as a sign of rebellion”, explaining that he intended to remove it when Nigeria became better.
Farounbi said his disappointment with the country was heightened by the prolonged workers’ strikes at the time, which occurred only four years after independence.
He later entered broadcasting, where he was expected to dress formally, but eventually questioned the need to continue wearing suits and ties.
He stated, “I decided to stop wearing them”, explaining that he subsequently embraced Nigerian fabrics, including Ankara and Adire.
Farounbi recalled an encounter with former military Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, at a meeting of NTA general managers. While others wore suits, he appeared in Nigerian-made fabric.
According to him, Obasanjo singled him out as the only person among them wearing Nigerian-made clothes and criticised the others for patronising foreign fashion.
Farounbi said he continued wearing Nigerian fabrics for many years before eventually adopting white as his signature colour.
He attributed the final decision to a colleague, Buba Tekoni, who, after seeing him wear white for three consecutive days, told him that the colour suited him.
“I gave away three boxes of coloured clothes. I started wearing white,” he said.
Farounbi said he subsequently discovered that white had practical advantages beyond appearance.
According to him, white clothing is relatively inexpensive and stands out even when made from inexpensive material. More importantly, he said, it imposes discipline because dirt is easily visible.
According to him, “White attracts dirt, so you have to be disciplined”, adding that the colour had encouraged him to maintain a culture of cleanliness.
Farounbi also said his choice of white had nothing specifically to do with Christianity, despite being raised in the home of an Anglican priest.
He said his father was a priest of the Anglican Church for 41 years and died in active service.
On the beard, Farounbi said he has continued to keep it because Nigeria has yet to attain the change he hoped for when he grew it in 1964.
Asked whether he would keep it until Nigeria changed for the better, he replied: “Yes. I have kept it since 1964. I keep praying every day for Nigeria to change.”
