Category: Interview

Oyinlola Sale is a model, broadcaster, writer and women’s advocate. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on her experience in modelling, inspiration and more.

TELL us about your experience managing models?

I am an image consultant, media practitioner, advocate for women empowerment as well as a model manager. I have actually modelled before. It started in a very funny way. That was in 2011 and I was working with an event and advertising agency. They were looking for models for a Skye Bank account. So, they just selected me and everything started like a joke and before I knew it, I saw my photographs at every BRT bus stand. That was in 2013, and for almost two years, I was at every Skye bank branch and every bus stand. It was kind of embarrassing initially and a lot of my friends would call and tell me: ‘You don hammer o’. Later on in 2017, I decided to open a website for audacity studio, where models put up their profiles. For me, it has been an interesting journey so far. I have met so many women in the process and it has been so interesting for me in terms of model management and in terms of being a model as well.

What was the very first job that you did?

Regarding the very first job that I did, it was the Skye bank advert and it was good. Also being a presenter is like being a model. You are actually representing your brand, the TV. So, basically being in front of the camera all the time, you have to set that frame of mind and being in total composure, control and confidence is important.

Tell us about the memorable experiences and the things that inspire you?

The only thing that inspires me basically is passion. I am very passionate about what I am doing all the time. So, that just stirs up something within me. The truth about it is that in this journey in life, in the career, there would be ups and downs. It has been a very interesting career. If I tell you something, you will be so surprised. It is about meeting people, and I have met so many people on the job. I remember when I met Mr. John Momoh of Channels Television. He said if you were not exceptional, I wouldn’t hire you. That was as far back as 2013 before I joined TVC. Apparently, I didn’t work in Channels, but I am happy where I am right now. It is always like a blessing in disguise. Every situation that you find in this journey is always pushing you to where you are supposed to be. At the end of the day, it is just about turning your woes to wisdom.

The only thing that inspires me is broadcasting. I have had quite an experience. I have done everything. I have been a reporter on the field, newscaster, presenter and producer. So, I am just going to break it down to what I have done in my career so far. I actually started in 2009, when I came back from the United States of America. I studied at the Eastern New Mexico University. When I came back I started with Galaxy Television, and I was an entertainment presenter and reporter. It was really interesting and I got to meet different people from Denrele and so many people. After that, I went into advertising for a short while and then I was back in broadcasting again. I went to TVC News in 2013 and I was there for over four years, presenting a programme called a Woman’s World. It was known, but by the time I joined, they had rebranded and were on Startimes. That actually stirred the passion within me to start my own programme for women. I saw that it had always been there and realized that it was a calling. After Woman’s World, I did Question of the Day and at that point, I had got children, two beautiful girls, and I love them so much. Then I was balancing career with having children and all that. It wasn’t easy, wasn’t too stable and then I moved on to Kaftan TV and I became the face of Kaftan TV. Here, I was doing so many things and they paid me to learn how to multi task.

I was presenting Amazing Amazon, a woman’s programme. I was a producer, I was casting the news and presented so many programmes there. This developed a lot of skills that I thought I had, harnessing skills within me. At this point, I am happy with where I am. Now, I have my own platform called WomenConnect. I am hoping it will touch the life of every woman around the world. Not just Nigeria, but around the world. Women need more platforms for our voices to be heard and that is what WomenConnect stands for. It is a platform to inspire, empower and inform women. We have a TV show and we are promoting it online. We have a blog as well as a radio show; we have a lot; we have a programme with W.Fm. My broadcasting career has been awesome.

What are the other things that occupy your time?

The other thing that occupy my time is my phone. I am always on my phone. I am on a lot of WhatsApp groups, and so I like social engagements on social media, posting things to inform people, writing, blogging and all of that. So, those are the fun things that I do by the side. And, of course, watching movies.

What are some of the changes that you will like to see in the modelling sector?

Some of the changes that I would like to see in the modelling industry are a situation where you don’t have to be slim and very tall to be looked at as beautiful. I think beauty should be perceived differently. Beauty should be seen in the eyes of the beholder. It should be perceived in how confident the person is in their skin. There are lots of beautiful women who are plus sized, who are average. So, I feel that the modelling industry should portray how the average woman is looking, not just skinny and all of that.

What are the challenges?

I have some challenges that I face as an entrepreneur because right now, I am on my own. One of the challenges would be access to finance. This has always been the challenge for female entrepreneurs, hundreds of entrepreneurs from different sectors all say the same thing. I think the government has to look into that.

Tell us about your role mentors and mentors?

My role models is just one person. I love her, she is not a Nigerian, but I believe that I am going to meet her one day. I have always loved her platform when I was young. She has a platform where she interviews people and inspires them. She herself is an inspiration to so many girls. She has a story and she tells her story. What actually made her to be who she is right now? What actually moulded her to what she is right now? How I got to know the Oprah story was that in 2014 when I was doing a programme for women, I had not had my children. But then, someone said that I was not a woman enough to present the programme because I hadn’t had children. Then, someone told me something about Oprah Winfrey, that her producer once told her that she was not good enough for TV. Look at her now, she is everywhere. So, who would have thought someone would say something like that. So, turn your wounds into wisdom that is what I am doing right now. I have had a lot of bad times in the industry and in 2017 when TVC retrenched 150 staff I was among them. For me, every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.

If you had to change something, what would it be?

If I could change something in the industry, it will be how they perceive models. They feel that if you are a model, you are provocative and all of that. So, all those things have to change.  The perception as well as the fact that they need to make room for average women to actually showcase themselves.

If you had to advise young people who want to come into the sector, what would you tell them?

My advice to young people who want to come into the modelling and broadcasting sector is that the sky is big enough for all of us honestly. The sky is certainly your starting point and I believe that once you focus and put your mind at it, once you dream it , you can certainly achieve it.

How do you relax?

I relax by just having fun with my children, watching good movies

What is your favourite travel destination?

My favourite travel destination! I have been there once and I wish I could go there every single day. That is Dubai. I have been to so many places, but Dubai is different. I love Dubai, it is beautiful. The shopping experience and everything about it. The atmosphere is just a place to go to. It’s a beautiful place and everyone can attest to that.

What type of books do you like to read?

I like to read a lot of inspirational books by Joyce Meyer. Books that just make me to reflect on life and everything.

What won’t you do in the name of fashion?

Those crop tops that show your stomach is a no for me. That is something that I wouldn’t do. Also wearing a very short dress, you won’t catch me in that at all.

Tell us about the principles that you hold onto in life?

This includes forgive and forget. As long as people offend you, you need to forgive and forget. If you do not forgive that person, you will let them have power over you. Secondly, regardless of what you are going through as a Christian, you need to always thank God. When you thank God, He will certainly thank God. Number three, give even if it is your last. Givers never lack and the fourth is to have  good attitude. Your attitude speaks for you. Have good manners. Please, sorry and thank you go a long way. And finally, always ensure that you keep going, regardless of the situation. Times are hard, but keep pursuing your dreams. It will surely come to pass.

What lessons has life taught you?

I have learnt a lot of lessons in this life. One of the lessons is never look down on anybody because I have seen people who are small, nobody and they become somebody. You never know who that person would be one day. I have seen so many situations, so many things in my life that made me realise that we all need to be humble. You don’t know tomorrow, you don’t know who that person would be tomorrow, so keep being humble.

What are you looking forward to now?

In the midst of the pandemic this year, the most wonderful time of every year has brought hope into our lives, because 2020 is almost over. We want to share this significant Christmas with our Christmas Fair which starts from December 12th in Lagos. Speakers at the event include Titi Oyinsan, Founder IAmDynamite, Iwo Akinyoyenu, Founder Fit Fab and Alive. It is going to be a time to reflect on Surviving in a COVID-19 Era. There would be free gifts, food and a mobile spa.

Barrister Uko Udom (SAN) and his brother, Essien Udom (SAN), have so many things in common. The greatest is their striking resemblance which intrigues those who come in contact with them. However, they are not twins. But there is always the possibility of mistaking one for the other because they also work together in the same office as co-founders of Udom & Udom Legal practitioners. While celebrating Akwa Ibom at 33, the state government recognized the Udoms’ contribution to the state as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, Uko Udom reveals what it felt like to be under the tutelage of Chief FRA Williams and other sundry issues.

LET’S go a little down memory lane. What was life like for you, growing up in the Eastern part of Nigeria? Would you consider yourself a privileged child?

I was actually born in Ibadan, in Oyo State. My father was a senior staff member of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan. We lived at the University campus until the riots and political crises that led to the civil war. I had my primary school education in Ibadan and started my secondary education there. However, we relocated to the east before the war started. I guess you could call my childhood a privileged one, by Nigerian standards.

 What do you recall about your early life?

I was privileged to grow up in a Nigeria that people dream about today. We lived in an area called the Senior Staff Quarters at the University of Ibadan campus. We rode in a school bus to school and we had free lunch and fresh milk served at school. The milkman delivered fresh milk at the doorstep of every house at the staff quarters. On Sunday afternoons, an ice cream truck went around selling ice cream. The only power outage I can recall that we ever had was caused by political thugs during the “wetie” crises in Western Nigeria, around 1964.

In what way did your childhood influence the person that you are today?

My formative years were in a residential environment that was multi-ethnic. We had friends across ethnic groups, attended the same schools, and ate in each other’s houses. Every family subscribed to the same high moral and ethical standards. Growing up in this social environment shaped my world view and mindset. My parents were very strict disciplinarians, like most parents of those days. We were taught that there was no substitute for hard work. If you came second in class, my father would ask why you were not first. The day you struggled to be first, my father would just smile and look away. He always tried to hide his emotions. But he had a way of surprising us, like when he took us to watch Millicent Small and Fela and the Koolalobitos when they played at the University of Ibadan.

In those days polygamy was popular. Was that the situation in your house?

No. We grew up in a monogamous home.

 What was your educational background?

We saw education as part of growing up. We all went to Abadina School, Ibadan for our primary education, then most of us ended up at the International School, Ibadan, before joining the exodus to the east before the start of the civil war. After completing my secondary education at the Holy Family College, Abak, in today’s Akwa Ibom State. I did a diploma course in Company Administration before proceeding to England where my brother and I took a degree in law at the Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Nigerian civil war has been written about severally; what are your memories of the war?

My first impression of the war was that it was a disruption of the cushioned life we were used to in Ibadan. I was too young at the beginning to fully understand the politics of it all. But then, losing almost two years of schooling, facing the scarcity of essential items, and watching people succumb to disease and deprivation, all these took its toll and reformatted my perception of life as a Nigerian.

Were there occasions that you thought you would not survive the war?

Not really. My parents and older siblings probably felt more endangered. We were at least 15-20 kilometres from the nearest active war fronts, although we faced occasional air raids. My father had constructed a very large underground bunker that could take the entire family and our relatives. Each time there was an air raid, we would all run into the bunker, which was covered with planks lined with vegetation. One of my brothers had built a periscope that we would use to see what was happening on the surface while we were underground. We faced more danger from defeated soldiers retreating from battle. They would raid our compound taking all the food and livestock they could find. They would demand to know whose side we were on. Our answer always depended on whose side the rampaging soldiers were on.

After all that, were you able to return to Ibadan to reunite with friends and acquaintances?

I went to Ibadan for the first time after the war with our state’s basketball team for the National Sports festival in 1979. I could not go around because of camp restrictions. But in the ’80s, I went back and visited my primary school, Abadina School, and International School. I went to see our family house at No. 25 Amina Way, at the University of Ibadan. I was transfixed and covered in goosebumps as memories of my childhood flooded back. Somebody came from the house and asked what I wanted, and I apologized and told him I used to live there.

Any regrets about the war?

Yes, I deeply regret the war, because so many people died needlessly. Worse still, our country has not learned any lessons from the war. Today, Nigeria is tottering at the precipice of a worse crisis; a war with no geographical boundaries. It could be a class war, or a generational conflict, or another internecine conflict. Our leaders must learn that no society can survive without justice and equity. The future of our young ones is mortgaged to feed the insatiable greed of a corrupt political elite.

You had to go abroad at some point for your studies, how did you find life over there, compared to Nigeria?

Yes, and for me, it was a low point in my life. I always wanted to study Engineering at the University of Ife but could not get admission. So I ended up in England, where my brother and I were admitted to study law.

What motivated you to return to Nigeria?

It never occurred to me not to return. In those days, we loved our country and wanted to be part of its development. We headed straight back after our final examinations and enrolled at the Nigerian Law School.

Did you and your brother share similar motivation?

Studying law was clearly fortuitous for both of us. We never went to England to study law. We were actually considering a degree in Business or Economics. The Student Affairs people advised that we were qualified for consideration in the Business, Economics, and Law faculties, but that the different faculties would make the decisions. So we got in the lift and headed up to the faculty offices. Law was on the 3rd floor, Business on the 5th floor, and Economics was on the 7th floor. At the law faculty, we were offered admission after a review and interview, so we decided that there was no point going to the other departments. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Why did you both decide to work together in the same law firm?

Once we decided to practise law, it was only natural that we practised together. When we were in college in England, all our friends called us Udom and Udom, and one of them, a Kenyan guy actually said back then, that we would in future practise law as Udom and Udom. We both did our Law School pupillage at the firm of Chief F.R.A Williams where the late Chief had three of his sons in his practice.

What was working with Late Chief FRA Williams like?

I did not actually work with Chief FRA Williams. It was a pupillage. It was an internship. It was a great experience that served us well in all our years of practice. Chief Williams was a gentle giant. In court, he was always well prepared and very intimidating. In the chamber, he was very gentle and considerate. He would speak with us as we read and reviewed files in the library. He made us all attend the “Black Table Conference” every week, where all the lawyers reviewed and prepared the cases for the next week. He would even listen to our opinion as law students, on each case.

Working with Chief FRA Williams, did that make your fellow lawyers see you as privileged? And did you feel being privileged?

We did flaunt it at our friends at the law school that we were interned at Chief Williams’ Chambers. It was a privilege because it was one of the top chambers in Nigeria.

When you started out as a young lawyer was it your dream to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria?

To be honest, as young lawyers, it was not our dream to become SANs. We were more focused on building a solid practice and excelling in our specialized areas of the practice. We naturally applied and took silk when it was clear that we were qualified, and had attained the standards set by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.

Two brothers in the same profession and both are SANs, do you have other lawyers in the family?

As a matter of fact, there are four of us who are lawyers in our family. I have a senior sister who is about 46 years at the bar, and our last sister, who studied law in England but chose not to practise law.

How do you and your brother handle those who mix you up for one another?

Yes. This happened to us a lot. Most people assumed we were twins since we were in the same class in most of the schools we attended. Sometimes, we would be mischievous, and answer to each other’s name.

But who is older between you and your brother?

I won’t tell you who is older. We normally use the information to get free drinks.

What led to both of you being ready for the university at the same time, and being in the same class?

While in Primary 5 at Abadina School, I took the Entrance Examination into International School, Ibadan, and was admitted. So, I skipped Primary 6. From then on, we were always in the same class.

 If you were not a lawyer, what else would you have loved to be?

Like I said earlier, in my younger days, I had always wanted to be an engineer. But looking back today, if I were not a lawyer, I would have loved to be God. (I’m sorry if I blaspheme). But there is so much in the world today that I would love to change.

 Your role models?

My father was my role model, and I always wanted to be like him. My heroes, however, are Martin Luther King, Jnr, and Nelson Mandela.

And what do you do for leisure?

For me, nothing beats listening to cool jazz music and dreaming of Arsenal Football Club winning the Champions League.

Smart, intelligent and charming. These are the words that aptly describes the 55th Alara of Ilara Kingdom In Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, TELADE 1V. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the economist , talked about the journey to the throne, early life, how he joined the Lagos State Civil Service as an Inspector of Taxes in 1991 and rose to the top of his career as Executive Chairman of the revenue agency.

How did you emerge as the Oba?

I was selected by the Kingmakers as  the 55th Alara of the  Ilara  Kingdom, this took place due to the demise of my predecessor,  His Royal Majesty Alayeluwa,  Oba Akeem Okunola  Adesanya ll,  who joined his ancestors in October 2018 having spent 58 years on the throne. As at the time of joining his ancestors he was the longest reigning monarch in Lagos State. He became the Oba at the age of 16 and he reigned for 58 years, so he passed on at the age of 74. May God continue to bless his soul. After that in November last year, 2019 the Kingmakers requested that it is the turn of my ruling House, which is the Telade Ruling House to produce the next Oba Alara of Ilara Kingdom.

Having received a notice to jump start the process from the state government through the Eredo Local Council Development Authority then eight of us were picked as contestants and the list was forwarded to the Kingmakers in Ilara. The rest as they say is history.   I was crowned on Thursday August 6, 2020 and His Excellency, Mr.  Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented me with the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment  on Sunday  August 16th, 2020.  History was made that day because the community had just witnessed another installation of a new Oba after 60 years.  The elderly and the youths were all excited to see a new king being installed.

Was this an easy decision to make?

It is only God that chooses kings and when he wants to do things he makes everything perfect. So for me, I see it as another call to service having being in service of Lagos for 26 years and rising through the ranks to become the Executive Chairman Lagos State internal Revenue Service. Even my stint in the service, was also a call to duty to assist the government to get revenue for the betterment of citizenry. It is with tax money that most things are done, infrastructure, roads, education, transport, health services and so on. So when the opportunity came and I was called, I prayed about it, I consulted and I said why not, let me go and serve my people. As the Yoruba’s will say ‘Ile la bo, isi mi Oko’ all that we have  been  trying  to do in the service let us come and try it here and see how  we move this community forward.

What are the potentials of Ilara Kingdom?

It only takes a visionary leader and someone that has the passion for his people to actually want to be on the right side of history to come and change things and to ensure that the community excels in every aspect. We are blessed here with agriculture, in terms of farming and fishing. We have a lot viable land, good soil, good weather and then we are surrounded by water all over the place, up to the lagoon then to the ocean. So fishing is part of the natural resources that the Almighty God has given to this community.

There is a huge potential also for tourism here, and then we have a lot of human capital resources as well. We have capable hands; we have people that are well read.  And if we all join hands together and put our heads together, I want to believe that this community will become a mini London where everybody will want to be and the community will be very, very proud of. So part of what we intend to do is to partner with the Lagos State government, through The THEMES AGENDA  of  Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

What plans do you have for young people?

The empowerment of youth is also very key. We will also try and see that we assist our children to continue to be educated and not only educating them but also to be self-reliant. This is because you can’t wait for the government to do everything for you. So with that we intend to create some vocational institutions where when our children go to school during the day and at the weekend they can come back to learn some things. Things like renewable energy, welding, art works since we intend to also go into tourism development, so that they will be able to create some art works that can be sold.  And we also look at areas where modern techniques of producing or providing farm products.

For instance, if you have a cassava farm, it is not only to be producing that cassava and be selling but we can have an industry, a kind of cottage industry that can use the cassava to produce garri. We are Ijebus here and all of you know what they call garri Ijebu.  These are things that we are known for even our fishing industry also, we want to see how we can micro manage it in such a way that we can preserve the fish and we can package it in such a way that we can even begin to export to other neighbouring countries and internally within Nigeria.

You have lived in the city for so long, aren’t you going to miss this?

When you came in here didn’t you see that there is a lot of peace around here away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos? Everything is fresh here, the ambiance and everything is just great, and everything is just fresh. So, those are some of the things that people don’t know that they can enjoy here. With all the road networks that the government is doing now, this will be the next place that people can actually come and live. And once the government is able to put the 4th Mainland Bridge and improve on the multi modal transport facilities: the use of water, land and by road, people can move from one end of the state to another. So many people can actually live here and be working in Lagos and it will decongest Lagos.

Why did you study Economics at the university?

I actually wanted to study accounting but when I took my JAMB exams, I don’t know how my file got to economics department and I was given that admission straight away at first batch.  As an economist, you will be a manager of resources. As if God knows that I will still get to this point of becoming a King. I even had to acquire a master’s degree in economy.  So, I have no regrets as well that I studied economy and I can tell you that economy is a bit more dynamic.

What has changed about you, now that you are an Oba?

I have been my normal self even up till now nothing has changed. A friend sent a congratulatory message to me. We attended primary school at the same time in Ibadan and he started saying things like from my young age, I have always lived and comported myself like a king. That everything about me, the aura radiates that of a king and that there is no quality that they are looking for in a king that I don’t have. Even my past experiences made me realised that this is divine.

What was it like growing up?

Actually I was born in Ibadan; my parents were working in Ibadan then, even though my dad was born in this community. I grew up in Ibadan but every year we come home for Sallah. My parents were Moslems, they were born Moslems though they converted to Christianity later. So we used to come home for Ileya just like the period that just past, and each time we come home, I remember those days, we will go to the stream to fetch water. We go to swim in the river and all those things, so each year I always look forward to it. I am in love with the community, I am very, very proud to come from this community, I love my people and I have always been coming home.  I built a country home here and I didn’t know God was preparing me ahead. So, like I said everything was divine.

Tell us about your favourite food?

I think amala is my best meal. I also like pounded yam with vegetable and I like yam and eggs as well. Maybe fried eggs or steamed one.

How do you relax when you are not working?

I enjoy traveling, I enjoy reading, I like to read a lot and I enjoy listening to music. I am more of an academic.

What genre of music appeals to you?

I like Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Orlando Owoh and I like Wasiu Ayinde.

Can we say that Kabiyesi is very stylish?

I have always been a conservative dresser.  I love to wear suits to the office as a corporate man… And when I am wearing my native I am a bit detailed about it too.

Now that you are Oba what is going to be your signature?

White is good, blue is good. White is purity and blue is peace. My dressing will always go along that line, you know white and then blue and at times you just want to mix the thing, I don’t believe in dressing expensively but I like very decent way of dressing.

Being a public person now you might have lost some privacy, how are you going to manage it?

I have always been a private person, even with the throne you can see that it is a very, very traditional stool. There are certain things I can’t do definitely anymore.  That is what the throne demands and I have accepted it.

How has the community been coping with the impact of COVID-19 ?

We held some palliative programmes, at a point even when the pandemic was really on during the lockdown. We had to come down to do some palliative for all the communities around here, and they are have been very, very grateful and I will continue to do that for our people by the special grace of God. Because you can see that it is purely an agrarian community where people have very low level of income. So while we are trying to bring development to the community we also see how we can assist, particularly the young ones, the widows and then the elderly within our community.

Recently, you were honoured with the Honourary Doctorate degree by the European-American University of Commonwealth of Dominica?

I feel highly honoured and elated to be honoured with Honorary Doctorate Degree of Arts by the –European- American University of the Commonwealth of Dominica. You don’t know that people are watching your actions or inactions and they give honour to whom it is due at the appropriate time.

The honour is what I continue to cherish for the rest of my life very because it came at a time that i just ascended the throne and will be a constant reminder of my responsibility and pact with my subjects.