October 01, (THEWILL) – For many years, Akintunde Ayeni, more popularly known as YemKem (his business name) bestrode the alternative medicine sector like a colossus to the extent that he became a staple for international media organisations like the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Cable Network News (CNN) who ran documentaries on his exploits. He succeeded in putting the country on the world map via traditional medicine.
As Ayeni’s fame and exploits grew, so did his bank accounts swell to bursting point and he became the toast of society veterans. He veered into the hospitality business at a point and built one of the then biggest hotels in Ekiti State and simply disappeared afterwards. So much has been said about what he was up to. Some alleged that he had fallen on bad times, especially when he reduced the number of his branches from 48 to 7. Others said he had quit the business due to competition from international companies that flooded the country with their own brands of herbal medicine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ayeni came out of hiding and started searching for a remedy to the deadly virus, in partnership with the Ooni of Ife, HRH Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. But as the pandemic died down, he scurried back into his shell. He re-emerged last weekend to host the crème de la creme of the South-West, including Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State to a colourful celebration in his Lagos home on the occasion of his 60th birthday. The party was a testament to the fact that YemKem isn’t out, he still commands some level of influence but only chose to operate in the background for now.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
