The Nation Newspaper

Category: Glamour

  • DOLAPO ONI – I haven’t achieved my goals yet!

    DOLAPO ONI – I haven’t achieved my goals yet!

    Marcy Dolapo Oni, host of “The Marcy Project”, continues to shine on TV screens across the African continent as she wows her fans, engaging them daily with her wit, charm and charisma. The media personality who married Adegbite, the son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade recently, tells Adetutu Audu her inspiring story.

    You recently launched your new show “The Marcy Project.” What is it about?

    The Marcy Project is a 30-minute fun, lifestyle and entertainment programme. In every episode, I perform a quirky, funny and interesting project and interview celebrities and upcoming acts. It is a social media-influenced show with a mixture of web features; pre recorded video footage and fashion tips. Each episode has at least one guest, which include musicians, designers, actors, comedians and sports figures. The project in every episode is a task or challenge, chosen by the viewers, social media followers or guests.

    You’ve been part of a good number of stage productions and television shows, what is the experience like for you?

    It has been truly amazing. I love acting, I really do. So any chance I get to flex the old acting chops I take. I have been really fortunate to be part of some really good productions.

    From 53 Extra, to being co-presenter on Moments with Mo, and now your own talk show. How did the journey begin?

    The journey truly began some years ago when I was fresh out of drama school. I always knew I wanted to act and after drama school I was working as an actress in London. I starred in plays and a few TV series and then I moved back in 2010 to pursue my career in Nigeria. I heard about an audition when I first got to Lagos and that was how I got my Job on 53extra. I had never had a presenting job before then.

    Your first degree is in Chemistry; a different path for sure from your current pursuits in media and drama. Why the switch?

    I wanted to be an actress from the age of 10, when I first saw the musical “Aspects of Love” by Andrew Lloyd Webber at The Oxford Playhouse in the UK. But my parents had other ideas and wanted me to get a degree in something they thought would be more stable. I enjoyed Chemistry at school, so I decided to study that at university. But once I had satisfied my parents’ requests, they were happy for me to do what I wanted. So I attended The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts where I studied Drama.

    Now that you are married, how do you hope to combine being a wife and mother with your career?

    I will take it all in my stride and aim to be the best wife, mother and career woman I can be. It’s all about achieving a healthy balance and knowing when to leave work at work.

    Who are those who influenced you early in life?

    My mother. She has taught me from day one to work like no one owes you anything. And she was right. No one does. You want something? Work hard, go out and get it! My mother taught me to work with an independent mind and be thankful I had a great education; and to use that to make something of myself. And that’s basically what I have done. I come from a family of lawyers and accountants, and everyone has pretty regular jobs. It may have been difficult if I came back from abroad with the mindset of maybe my parents or siblings could help me with this or that. What I needed mostly was their support and I am very lucky they gave that to me. And I just basically went out there to hustle so that I would get jobs, and luckily I did.

    Fashion item you can’t do without?

    Jeans. I have quite a number of jeans and I love the fact that you can dress them up and dress them down. I also love shoes. And I don’t just like heels; I like all kinds of shoes…wedges, flats, sandals, as long as they look nice.  I would say I have about 30 pairs.

    Describe your personality and style

    I am chilled and I can be blunt. If I am annoyed about something, you will see it. It’s quite obvious because it will be written all over my face. So, what you see is what you get. My style? It’s effortless. I love simple silhouettes that flatter my frame. I don’t like outfits that are too busy. Even though I am most comfortable in jeans, I love to wear jump suits. I can never have too many of them. I try to keep in shape by working out three times a week when I am feeling motivated and when I am not, I try to eat healhealthy.

    Being in the limelight has its own challenges, kindly share yours with us.

    I would say all jobs have good sides and bad sides. I work on TV, so people know who I am. I can’t complain because I put myself up there. People say things because they feel they know you. So when people say things I don’t like, I just brush it off. I don’t complain about that, because the job comes with lots of perks.

    You effortlessly change your hair dos and looks, what are your beauty secrets?

    I don’t really have any but I always make sure that I wash my face at night. I use Clinique products. I am a lipstick person but I can’t possibly live without eyeliner. I wish I was a spa junkie but I am unfortunately not.  I sleep and drink lots of water to hydrate myself; this I would recommend to anybody.

    As one of the most admired television personalities, what do you think sets you apart?

    I think the fact that I have been trained really helps. Even though I went to drama school, I use those skills in front of the cameras, whether it is for acting or presenting.

    What would you say is the highest point of your career?

    Highest points of my career are: Jacob’s Cross, Saro the Musical and starting my own production company by being able to create work and offer work to people. And watch this space, because there is something coming to your TV screens very soon (my own personal project).

    What major setbacks have you had in the course of your career?

    I think rejection is a major thing I’ve learnt to deal with. Going to a lot of auditions and not getting the job, I keep my head up and strive for what I believe in. I don’t let it knock my confidence because the next gig might just be mine.

    What would you say is your greatest achievement?

    I don’t consider anything to be my greatest achievement in life so far because I set myself very high standards and haven’t achieved my goals just yet.

  • ‘How my husband has been a blessing to me’

    ‘How my husband has been a blessing to me’

    Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan is the former deputy governor of Lagos State and an educationist. The amazon turns sixty this month and it is time to roll out the drums to celebrate. In this interview with YETUNDE OLADEINDE, she goes down the memory lane talking about her childhood, family life, transforming the educational sector in Lagos as well as the things that occupy her time at the moment. 

    YOU look good, what does style mean to you? I am a Lagos woman. My mum is also a Lagos woman and I took some of this from her. That is why they call us Eko for show. Not just for show only, but we like dressing appropriately and making ourself look beautiful. We have been trained that way, even now my mum would tell me to get her matching shoes for her clothes. I dress to please myself. Apart from this, like my mum, I do not hold grudges. She is very accommodating and I call her Iya gbogbo (mother to all). She accommodates everybody, every tribe.

    What are the things that occupy your time now?

    I do consultancy, I attend programmes where I am invited as speaker and I am a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). In addition, I partake in anything that I think would improve my life, like summits as well as things that would improve my spiritual life.

    How would you describe the role your husband played in your life?

    I thank God that I married that man. If I had married somebody else, I don’t think that my marriage would have lasted. From the beginning, he understood the kind of person I am. I am a very independent person; he accommodated that in my life. When I am in my moods, he would say Oh, she is in her elements. Maybe, it is because he is 14 years older than I am. Thank God, I didn’t marry someone younger, that person would have turned me into a punching bag. He really accommodated my inadequacies. Most times when he looks for birthday cards for me, he would say it is valentine cards that he found, mine is February 11th.

    Do you like cooking?

    No. I don’t like cooking. I manage to cook, I don’t tell lies about that. I am not the kitchen type. At least, I cook for my husband, but now it is only on very special occasions that I do that.

    What does it feel like at sixty?

    I live every day as it comes. Age is just a number to me, but I thank God that I would move forward, I would be 70 and 80. I want to try as much as possible not to take life serious any longer. I have told my friends that I do not want gifts. All I want now is support for my Foundation.

    What is the focus of the Foundation?

    I established the Sarah Adebisi Foundation last year. It is focused on the three very critical sectors of our population; women, our youths and the girl-child. The women in the riverine areas are the primary focus, other women can benefit from this. Most of this women, apart from lack of education are so ignorant of doing many other things that can give them a whole life development such as health, economic empowerment. Many of them are involved in trading activities but often times you find that whatever they generate as profit goes back to taking care of the home. They don’t usually take care of themselves. So my foundation would be having talks on how they can improve on what they are doing and their lifestyle generally. While they are taking care of their children and family, they should not forget themselves. The self confidence, self esteem must be there.

     It is important to be a total person. The health sector has what is called well being package for men and women but they are not aware. For a lot of them, life is about cooking, bearing children and just accepting life as it comes. Coming from that community, I feel I should just give back to that community. Not just the metropolitan community that I now live in. I am talking about my constituency, charity begins at home. Ojo comprises Ojo local government, Iba LCDA, Awori LCDA and gradually spread out to other areas. That is my immediate take off for now. We have been there to hold some health talks, given then mosquito nets to prevent malaria because it is a riverine area and they are prone to mosquitoes.

    Even from this health checks, we have done things on high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and AIDs and in the process we discovered that some of them don’t even know that they have it. For the youth, we organised an empowerment conference and we are progressing by identifying what they really want to do. We try as much as possible to get them to be interned to related skill areas. For the girl-child, I look back to my childhood as that small girl, an Awori girl for that matter. In those days, the girl-child was just prepared for marriage. If you manage to get the primary education, then next year they are looking forward to marriage. I remember that they asked my father then why he was wasting money on a girl. Why is she going to secondary school? Let her go and marry. And really, many of my age mates now look older than those of us that went to school. We often go back to our community for festivals and we see one another.

    It was when she concluded that we now started the activities. The health mission that we took to the community is something that really excited me, because of what we discovered. For empowerment, a lot of women have abandoned what they used to do. What I grew up to see girls doing in the community was mat-weaving and making coconut oil. They don’t do that any longer, coconut oil is an essential, and you find it in so many creams. It is money and those are the kinds of things they can do by forming themselves into cooperatives. We can also assist them to sell the products. Their economic empowerment, their health and the education of their children are very important. When it is rainy season, they leave their education for fishing. Those are some of the activities that we want to bring back to them. They can go to school in the morning and in the afternoon do this.

    So the problem of the girl-child has always been with us and if some of us came out of it, we cannot look the other way. Thank God things have improved; they do go to school now. But most times their parents cannot afford higher education for them. Thank God for free education. The opportunity to know what goes on out there is what we would be looking at. We would be having a scholarship scheme to encourage these girls who have very poor parents but are very brilliant. I had that opportunity and I got my local authority scholarship for my secondary education. Out of what God has blessed me, I want to help. I am not rich but I can afford three square meals.

    How did you earn the scholarship that you got?

    It was on merit. I cannot recollect very well but I know that some of us were invited to our local authority then. We were picked from different secondary schools and were given scholarships to complete our secondary education. The money paid was just for the tuition, our parents still had to have an input. Scholarship’s these days also cover about 70 per cent.

    What dreams did you have as a young girl?

    I never dreamt to be a teacher. I dreamt that I would work in an office and get to the peak of my career. There was a time I even tried to be a nurse. I went for the examination, everything went well and the admission. Then I had a second thought about the blood and everything, I ran away. My going into the teaching profession was an accident. I never planned to be a teacher. I never knew the plan that God had for me. I went to take a form for a cousin of mine and ended up taking a form for myself and from there I got into the journey and I have enjoyed it so much.

    They say teachers reward is in heaven but it’s like you got yours here on earth. Let’s talk about some memorable moment on the job

    The first was when I was not even in public service. There was a little girl, a small beautiful girl, who was always neat and well dressed but she was not intelligent. I spent my time during break with that girl and by the time she moved to the next class, she performed wonderfully well. It gave me lots of joy that I transformed that girl to a better person. I am not sure that she would remember that the Miss Durosimi that taught her then is Mrs. Sosan now.

    Would you be giving them soft loans?

    I discovered that when I was deputy governor. We gave over a thousand widows loans across Lagos State. But we discovered that when you give them money and materials, they didn’t do so much. Now, it’s like a matching fund, even if we are giving you something your own must be part of it and how do you put in your own? We are going to help them form cooperatives. If it is their own money, they would pay. That we got from the experience of other organisations that have been doing it. There is no free money but we would continue to give them information and enlightenment.

    Let’s talk about life as deputy governor and your impact on education in the state.

    Whatever I did then was the grace of God; it was team work, my permanent secretary and the educational sector itself. Even sometimes when I was very hard on people, they did not have a choice but to do it. The memorable thing about it was that when I came in, Dr Leke Pitan happened to be a very committed person as well. As a doctor, what he was able to turn around within the short period was good. When I came in, my experience as a professional teacher and inspector gave me an insight into what was going on. I went for the right people immediately and did the restructuring first, because if you do not have people who understand the commitment that you have, then you would have problems.

     There was a lot of cries but thank God for Mr. Governor then. He said if it is what you would need to make your work convenient, go on. Also Dr. Leke Pitan had a handover note and it was so painful to him when we discussed that I didn’t get it. I knew he had a very good programme in place and it was part of that programme that we were able to take something up, The Adopt a School programme. I am happy that it is still going on very well in the state. I just read recently that the governor talked about it and that it is one of the programmes that they want to pursue vigorously. That is one area that gives me a lot of happiness. Another thing that I was able to do that gladdens my heart was the issue of private schools. A lot of these mushroom private schools were damaging the lives of our children because of their daily bread. I remember most of my colleagues in Plateau and Edo states, they just took it over and even when we go for council meetings in the educational sector, they always mentioned what we were doing in Lagos. The standard of the teachers also improved and I always told them to look good. It is not as if others in other sectors get pay packets that triple yours, just cut your coat according to the materials. So, they were able to build their self confidence, you can do this through self development.

  • CYNTHIA ANDREW – ‘You don’t judge a book my its cover’

    CYNTHIA ANDREW – ‘You don’t judge a book my its cover’

    Socialite and fashion designer, Princess Cynthia Andrew runs Lagos upscale fashion home, Unlimited Sizes. The Edo state born mother of four who appears to have drastically slowed down from social engagements was once married to Prince Kola Adeyemi, scion of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. She tells ADETUTU AUDU why she now concentrates on her children and business. 

    What informs your sudden absence on the social scene?

    I am a business woman, a fashion designer and I as you can see, my business is still, kicking. You know, you outgrow some kind of things. My kids are my priority for now. I am a single mum and the reason I am working is my kids. I have three of them in the university right now in the US…you know what that means. I think I have taken a bit of time to actually concentrate on my children. Although, there has never been a time I abandoned them or not have time for them because no matter what it is or how busy I am, my kids come first.

    When I started this business when I came into this country sixteen years ago, I said to my God ‘just direct my steps’ and advertise me to the whole world and it has actually been so. I will say my physical appearance alone is a big advert for me. I am really not a party person and if you check, you will discover nobody knew me until about ten years ago because I have not been the outing type. But when I started my business, I did not have a choice because I am not only a fashion designer. Like I said, I am into event as well and most events I handle, I want to be present to perfect things but I have trained people to do it the same way I would do it because the time is not really there anymore. So, basically, my business takes me out.

    How did you come about fashion designing?

    Fashion to me is just something natural. I was never trained for this, I did not go to school for this, not even the measurement I was trained to do, so it’s a thing I love…I love looking good. I see people on the street and I say oh my God, she’s so beautiful, I wish I can dress her up, transform her. I just love to look good and see people look good so that is what made me go into this business.

    What inspires your designs?

    That is where I think I am different. I don’t sketch, I don’t sew and I don’t cut. All I do is to drop design. You rarely see me choose styles from the magazine except if you come and say this is what you want; I create my designs myself. So, it’s a blessing from God, and it’s a gift from God. Every blessed day, I come up with designs and my designs come spiritually like God drops them in my system. I could just be sleeping in the middle of the night and I get designs, I get up and begin to write the description of what I saw and put in practice the next day with my staff. Sometimes, I could come up with ten, fifty designs.

    What was your childhood dream, since you did not set out to be a designer?

    I did International Relations and Diplomacy, so it has nothing to do with fashion at all, but all I know is that I said I will never work for anybody and that is it.

    Can you share your beauty routine with us?

    When you have God’s favour, when you have his grace, there is nothing else you need and that is what has been keeping me. I don’t have medical issue that is taking me to hospital. My complexion, my size, my shape, all is to the glory of God. There is no particular thing I do to keep that. I am complete a woman. I don’t use any medicated stuff.

    What prompted your relocation back to Nigeria?

    As I told you, my children have always been my life. I had them in the US but while they were growing up I decided and made up my mind that when they got to particular ages I would bring them back to Nigeria to do part of their school here so they can know their culture and get a sense of belonging, which I did. I came into this country in 1999. I needed to make them come home to see what their country is like because there are lots of lost children out there and I tell you my children love Nigeria more than anywhere in the world. Any little holiday, they want to come and that’s what I wanted to achieve.

    As a fashionable person, what dictates your dressing?

    I don’t like things that are too revealing because you must be decent. I love to wear traditional outfit a lot and one thing you really can’t see me too often wear is trousers. I am not a trouser person but it’s not a problem… I wear but I am not really crazy about it. I have three colours and I always put these three colours together; yellow, orange and green.

    You are pretty and also a princess, how easy was it for you settling down? 

    Well, I was quite young, but because I was not brought up in a wayward way, my growing up was smooth and traditional. I am from Edo State, Ishan, Uromi. I am from a royal home for that matter, so there are so many things we just can’t do; there are traditions we met.  I am the first daughter in the family and I followed the foot step of my mother because she brought me up right. So, when it was time for me to settle down, though I was still in school, quite young back then, I did. Sure, a lot of people came around but we were taught and lectured from time that when you find your man, this is what it is and so on and that was exactly what I did, exactly what I followed.

    Despite putting so much effort, how do you feel to be out of marriage?

    Nobody wants to get married and be out of it. But as I always say, I will rather be out of a marriage to take care of my kids than to be in a marriage and die in there. That means a lot of things.

    Despite all I went through, I had to stay to have all my kids because another name I did not want to have is here and there which I was never used to and I never did.

    Although, a lot of people kind of have different impression about me I always tell people, don’t judge a book by its cover because I don’t think too many people know me. All they see is that flashy Princess Cynthia, gorgeous looking Princess Cynthia, head turning Princess Cynthia….it’s all good, I like to look good, I don’t have to look tattered to serve my God. Those who are close to me can talk about me. I know some people today, some of them refused to settle down and have kids just because they are beautiful. If you say you are gonna do this, do that because you are beautiful, that beauty is going to go or die some day and what do you become at the end? So, I give God the glory, I have never been that kind of person. I have always been able to control myself among the men and I don’t see what a man can actually offer me out there that I can’t actually achieve with hard work.

    I thank God I have been able to stay focused and did not allow what anyone is saying to distract me from doing my business, serving my God and looking after my kids.

  • Celebrating women movement icon

    Celebrating women movement icon

    Last week Thursday was a great day and will for long be remembered by those who attended the celebration of the passage of Mrs. Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi, wife of the Olowo of Owo, HRM Fola Olateru-Olagbegi.  Her friends, colleagues and associate organised a an event in her honour tagged “Celebrating an icon of women’s movement”. She campaigned vigorously against illegal migration, human trafficking, child abuse, and domestic violence and with the same passion, for the political rights of women, gender equity, the rights of the girl child, gender empowerment and human rights. Under the auspices of the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), a non-governmental organisation with UN Special Consultative Status which she co-founded in 1995, among those that graced the event were Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Cecilia Ezeiko, Dame, Abimbola Fashola, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Dr. Abiola Akiode, Hon. Abiola Akiode and host of others.

  • ‘My background shaped my philanthropic disposition’

    ‘My background shaped my philanthropic disposition’

    Kenneth Imansuangbon is a lawyer; politician, businessman, philanthropist and the chairman of Abuja-based Pace Setters Group of Schools. The Edo State gubernatorial aspirant’s love for humanity stands him out. He shares with Adetutu Audu his life, philanthropic activities and how his wife, Kate, drives him hard to bring out the best in him.

    WHAT was growing up like for you? It was a humble beginning in a loving environment. The atmosphere was peaceful.  We didn’t live in fear. You could leave your village for the next village and everybody was one another’s keeper. You could enter the next house and eat without fear of being poisoned or kidnapped, without fear of harm. Then, we never had much, but we loved one another. So, if you compare what obtained when we were growing up with what we have today, things have fallen apart. Those noble values of yesterday are lost.

    I was born in Ewohimi, Edo State, but my father relocated to Ijebu-Ode where he worked as a rubber plantation manager. He managed a group of people at a rubber plantation in Ijebu-Ode. And then, we were living a communal life. I started my early education at Ijebu-Ode and proceeded to Ago-Iwoye for my secondary education.   I couldn’t proceed to the university due to lack of funds. I had to take to menial job as a technical assistant with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Abuja.  I worked with some great expatriates who spotted my exceptional brilliance, diligence and talent and advised me to return to school. We built the Lower Usman Dam. When Shagari came to Abuja in 1982, that was where he stayed.  I still remember him very slim, a tall, handsome man with a long cap and agbada. When he came, I walked up to him, touched him and he smiled at me.  I said one day I was going to be president. He looked at me, smiled, beckoned on me and I walked up to him, shook his hands. I felt anointing was being transferred. So, that encounter actually invigorated me.

    With your experience in an engineering company, why did you go for law?

    Two people influenced my decision. The late Gani Fawehinmi. He was a great role model. I loved his courage and how he fought for humanity. I loved how he fought for the poor. I remember when I was in Ife; we gave him SAM (Senior Advocate of the Masses). I laid on the floor that he should walk over me; that I wanted to be the red carpet for him to walk on because he was unique. Unfortunately, we don’t respect our heroes. The true heroes of this country are people like Gani Fawehinmi. He was everything to me. He inspired me each time he talked with his tiny voice. Well, today, we don’t have a Gani Fawehinmi anymore. Everybody is money, money, money. It is quite unfortunate. But I know that a Gani will rise again, for sure. My father also had hoped that I should read law. To honour him, I decided to read law because I said the dream of my father must not die.

    Why did you abandon law practice for education?

    I felt law was a tool for social change, a social engineering instrument. I wanted to practice law, to fight for humanity, defend the poor and to use law to bring about change.  I went to the University of Ife where I studied law and was called to the Nigerian bar. I practiced law and I thought that was what I wanted to do until I visited the US about 20 years ago and saw the huge development that had taken place there. I asked the first white man I spoke with why Africa was not as developed. He said the gap was in education; that developed people are people that are highly read, people that take their education serious. So, I made up my mind that I was going to open schools. That was what gave birth to Pace Setters Group of Schools. We have expanded with Pace Setters Academy with more than three campuses in Abuja and one in the US.

    You are a philanthropist and people jokingly call you ‘Mr. Rice’. At what stage did it start?

    My background must have shaped my philanthropic disposition. I came from a very poor home. All that I have benefited was from my widowed mother and neighbours. Those who were our neighbours never made us lack. They all supported us. So, I made up my mind that if God blessed me, I would give back to God and to humanity. To that extent, this is a mission and a pact. Then, I also learnt a lot from the late MKO Abiola. Yes. When I was in Ife, we needed to raise money for the Law Faculty Week. The dean, Professor Fabunmi, called me and said we must go and raise money. We got to MKO’s house at about 3pm. We learnt he went to see Gen. Ibrahim Babangida at Dodan Barracks. We waited until he came at about 1am. He asked what we wanted. I was the lead speaker; I told him we needed N100, 000 for our law faculty.  At the end, he gave us N50, 000. He was a man of the people who never discriminated. That’s one lesson I learnt from him. That’s why when I share rice, I take some to the mosques in Edo State. MKO Abiola was a great man.

    You mean other people’s happiness constitutes happiness for you?

    What happiness means for me is my love for my neighbour. I must regard and treat my neighbour as myself. The philosophy generally is do unto others as you want others to do unto you; don’t cheat, say no to corruption, treat everybody with love and respect, and above all, serve God. You must never lose sight of the fact that one day you will account to God whatever you do. So, each time I am able to help a neighbour, I feel fulfilled. Who is my neighbour? They are not just the persons who are close to me. Each time I see an Okada (commercial motorcycle operator), I see my neighbour. Each time I see a poor man, a beggar on the street, that’s my neighbour. When I see people with cancer, with growth in the street of Abuja or anywhere, I am sad. It is always a sad moment for me. When I see people who cannot pay their children’s school fees, that does not give me joy. When I see young graduates, who cannot secure jobs or put into practice what they have learnt, wasting and roaming the streets without jobs four, five, six years after leaving the university, I am sad. Conversely, each time I am able to help people, I feel very happy. When I give jobs to people at Pace Setters Schools, I get satisfied. When I share rice on the streets of Benin every Christmas, I am very happy. When I do essay competition, each time I give out 500 computers to university students, I am very happy. When I do the Ken Imansuangbon Essay Competition and students win and are happy, I am very happy. Each time trophies are being given to elated winners of Ken Imansuangbon Secondary Schools Soccer Competition in Abuja, I feel very happy.

    In your view, what is your concept of good leadership?

    A leader is a good shepherd. A good shepherd gives his life for his people. A good leader is one that would not steal the people’s money. A good leader is a leader that would give back the people’s money to the people. A good leader is one that would be fair and equitable in all his decisions. A good leader is a leader that would remember tomorrow and know that tomorrow, in the words of Justice Kessington, is another day.

    What would you consider to be the best and worst decisions you’ve taken?

    The best and worst decisions I have taken is to join politics. It is the best because the poor people need men like me in politics. But since I jumped into the murky waters, I have seen that politics is like two sides of a coin. At times, I ask myself what I am really doing in it, that I am not meant for this kind of thing. But each time I get discouraged, my courage comes from the fact that if I was not there, who will I leave the business for. How do you keep fit?

    My wife is a strong woman who believes in sports. She drives me and my kids to do sports. I wanted a God-fearing woman, but God answered my prayers and gave me an angel.  I also try to regulate my meals, because as a man close to 50, one is no longer a baby.

  • RAZAQ OKOYA ‘I still swim to keep fit’

    RAZAQ OKOYA ‘I still swim to keep fit’

    Razaq Okoya clocked 76 during the week. The business mogul used the opportunity to reach out to the less-privileged, sharing gifts and reaching out to empower the young ones. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde and Raphel Olusegun, he talks about the things that make him tick, the need to restructure the educational system to give young people technical skills, challenges in the economy, prospects and secrets to the success of his business empire. 

    SIR, instead of having an elaborate party, why did you choose to celebrate your birthday with the less-privileged and giving out to the needy in society?

    As you know, I have a humble background. I’m an industrialist, I work with so many in the society, I know their needs. “Ti ebi ba kuro nini ise, ise buse” (when hunger is addressed, everything falls into place). So, giving to the needy is very important, therefore having an elaborate party now is out of it. We have over two thousand staff to take care. Maybe when I clock 80years, then I may celebrate it in a big way. And with the situation of things in the country, one just has to take it easy.

    What does it feel like at 76?

    Thank you so much and compliments of the season. I must say that nothing has really changed about me, except for the fact that that I am still working  which I sincerely believe is what has kept me strong and fit and this has also kept me going.

    What has been the secret of your success in business?

    I give God the glory for giving me the determination, foresight and focus. I am a very determined person. I hate to fail in whatsoever goal I set to achieve, Insha Allah. I thank God that it has always been possible, that’s why even at 76 years I still love to work and  it gives me great pleasure.

    How would you describe the business environment today, compared to when you started?

    When we started, there were lots of business opportunities in Nigeria compared to what we have today; a situation where there are too many business competitions. In addition to this, I would say that the mindset of the youths of nowadays is to make quick money. In my time, young individuals were encouraged in setting their goals and achieving it, but now so many products have flooded the markets which make it very difficult for local industries to succeed.

    What has kept the Eleganza Group operating in spite of the depression, and what sacrifices did you have to make to survive?

    One of the major challenges is the issue of power to run the industries, but we are committed to remain in business with the passion to keep our aims and objectives. In addition, our desire has always been to offer over 2000 Nigerian youths employment.

    Would you say that the competition in the market has taken a major chunk of your market?

    The Eleganza of today is stronger and more stable than what we had in the past. Today, we have more range of products that include  chairs, coolers, luggage, diapers, lady sanitary pads, beauty soaps, laundry soaps, and multi-purpose soaps, pet bottles plus caps, pre-form bottles, shoes, hair threads, disposable/reusable plates and cups, waste disposal containers (dust-bin) and stainless water tank. They are produced locally in our new Eleganza Industrial City layout located at KM68 Epe-Ibeju Lekki Expressway, Ibeju, Lagos on 35 hectares of land. We also have real estate investment in prime commercial areas and luxury residential estates in Lagos State.

    For some years past, the real estate business has been very bad; we have lots of vacancies in our estates. The worst hit is our Eleganza Plaza Complex, Apapa, Lagos State.

    Talking about property, you have a taste for huge structures and mansions, what inspired you in this line of business?At one period in Nigeria, industrialisation was becoming frustrating, so we diversified into property investment in a large scale just to keep the staff in employment. Don’t get me wrong, we still continue in industries but without introducing new items of products like now, but after we have achieved our set goals in the property sector; that is what now leads to the new Eleganza Industrial City Ltd. Eleganza is back bigger and better than what it used to be known for.

    What are the most important principles and values for you in business and life?

                    I would say it is hard work, sincerity, steadfastness and honesty. Passion with drive takes priority in all my endeavours. I love what I do, and as a result I don’t see myself working because when you enjoy your job it becomes a hobby. But to be successful and be able to maintain market leadership over the years you must be intelligent on how to diversify as and when necessary. I got some of these values from my parents who were hardworking, disciplined and dedicated people. Growing up was like any other child of my age, except that I was closely monitored by my parents. My mother was a disciplinarian to the high order, neither did my father encourage laziness.

    I hardly had time to play around, because most of the time I was with my father in his tailoring business. I had three sections per day; first the school, second my father’s shop, and thirdly at mosque.

     My daily routine increased as the day passed by. At a time, I was compelled to start doing some tailoring jobs to fend and keep the proceeds.

     Looking at Nigeria today, what should government do to encourage industrial growth and development?

    The federal government should stop the importation of goods that can be produced locally into the country and increase the custom and excise duties on imported finished goods. They should also ensure that goods are fully monitored at the point of entry, because some importers are involved in sharp practices, denying the government the required revenue and also killing the local manufacturers. Smuggled goods into the country are also killing the manufacturing industries. No country can survive with competing foreign products’ invasion into its country, neither will the country survive by allowing such smuggled goods into the country.

    At 76, are you still actively involved in running the company? Do you have plans to retire and at what age do you think you want to do this?

                     As I said earlier, I have a passion for what I do and seeing certain products or items in other parts of the world stirs a passion in me. That is, the passion to see same or similar products produced in my country. I love to go to trade fairs all over the world and that interestingly is where I get a number of my business ideas. So when I get such ideas I put them into actualisation.

    Now, I can’t be seen running the day to day activities. I don’t have that patience or time but I am always on board to give necessary advice or information needed. The truth of the matter here is that experience cannot be bought, you actually grow into it. The day-to-day running of the manufacturing sector is managed by my wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Shade Okoya, and Lanre Okoya, my son, who is a director.

    They actually handle the daily running of the companies with other senior experienced managers and a few expatriates. I must also say that the property sector is managed by the Group Property Manager, Mrs. Modupe Solanke, and other management team.

    What makes you happy these days?

    I derive happiness through my establishments. It is good to know that what we do bring smiles to faces as well as put food on their tables.

    You look smarter and younger than your ages. How do you keep fit?

    I love swimming and going to the gym to keep fit. I also enjoy spending quality time with my wife and the young children.

    How would describe the prospects for the nation’s economy this year?

    I believe in this great country, Nigeria. And I believe that with good policies it will be greater than before.

    Production is my life. I enjoy manufacturing goods. I have travelled to China several times; I get inspiration from what I see in China. Everywhere in China you see cottage industries scattered around in all their provinces. We should emulate and follow them. Most reasons why the youths are not employed could be based on the fact that they lack technical knowledge and skills.

    Most of them have no technical background, no research institute or centres where they could learn and become self-independent. The government should help to make the youths focus on having an independent self-employed future by giving the youths the required technical knowledge.

    The graduates should be technically inclined and therefore fit into any manufacturing industries and this would help to reduce the number of foreigners becoming our expatriates. Today, Nigerians depend on imported goods. Even with lots of natural resources in our forests, we still cannot help ourselves in terms of producing furniture and other basic needs, because our youths do not have the required knowledge and skills to produce. This is very important and we need to train them and redirect their energy.

  • West African women lament plight of womenfolk

    WOMEN from various West African countries have decried the predicament of the female folks in the society. They called on governments in the sub region to rise to the occasion and curtail the menace, which, according to them, is assuming a worrisome dimension.

    The women made the call in Lagos during commemoration of the international day of 16 days activism for the elimination of violence against girl, boy and women in the society organised by the West African Women Association (WAWA).

    The participants were enraged when Mrs Sodeinde, a participant narrated how a commercial motorcycle association boss in Ketu area sexually abused a newly married bride. Before she could finish narrating the story, the president of WAWA, Dr Beatrice Ubeku, quickly made arrangement for the victim to get justice.

    They also lamented the despicable treatment given to women in Ghana. A participant from the country said: “When a woman puts to bed in Ghana, the question often asked by the people is if the woman gave birth to a human being or the other way round. This is an unfair and a callous way of describing the female gender.”

    Dr Violet Arene, the popular television presenter, frowned at the idea of using the girl-child as suicide bombers, saying: “I feel pained when I hear that our children are being used as suicide bombers. It is sheer wickedness and totally unacceptable. I want us to map out plans to stage a peaceful protest against all forms of violence against women. I also want to enjoin every woman out there that does not have formal education to endeavour to have it so that they can know their rights in the society and have a good understanding of how to get it.”

    Speaking, Dr Ubeku said: “Any form of violence is anachronistic. However, the worst form of violence against women is domestic violence. We are talking about the commemoration of United Nations 16 action programme.” While acknowledging that any form of violence against woman is evil and condemnable, all the violence that exists stem from the home front. About 21 percent of violence against women is domestic.

    “Do we have laws against these acts of dehumanisation? Yes, we do, but they are not much implemented. We are here today to x-ray the roles of the law, society and individuals in the perpetration of violence against women. WAWA has been at the forefront of fighting for women and children deprived of the means of livelihood, love and hope for tomorrow through our empowerment events. These efforts have been quite successful.”

  • If I’m given wings I will fly -ALEX OKOROJI

    If I’m given wings I will fly -ALEX OKOROJI

    Alex Okoroji, a Nigerian actress, writer and television host, is passionate about the Nigerian creative industry like her ex-musician father and COSON boss, Tony Okoroji. Okoroji broke the internet with the biggest on-air celebration when she celebrated the first anniversary of her internet radio with 16 special guests from different seven countries of the world. She tells Adetutu Audu how she achieved the feat and her plans for the New Year.

    How would you say you fared in 2015 as an actress, author and a self mentor?

    Very well. I fared very well despite the economic challenges and challenges of single handedly raising a child. I still managed to feature in a few movies this year, release my book, publish my blog articles, host a radio show weekly, release a podcast album, speak at a number of events, host talk-therapy sessions, webinars, motivated and empowered so many minds globally. That I’m still in this industry celebrating 10 years, growing and re-inventing myself everyday when many others have either given up or stayed stuck. I’m very proud of the many things I had to overcome to get here and there are still many things I need to achieve. I haven’t even started.

    It has been one year of your Naked Talk on the internet radio. Looking back, did you think you would come this far?

     To be honest, yes. I knew I would go far if I focused worked hard & applied creativity to my talk radio show -THE NAKED TALK w/ Alex Okoroji. What I didn’t know for sure was exactly how long it would take me to start feeling the cool wind of success. One lesson I learned this year is not to have limiting beliefs about myself. If I’m given wings I know I will fly, but for now I shall close my eyes and simply flap my hands in preparation.

    Let us talk about Alex and her naked thoughts, at what point did you conceive the idea?

    It’s pretty strange. I think it was when I moved back from Ghana in 2011. And I was feeling a lot of frustration and I needed to vent/channel my emotions, thoughts and pains somewhere. Unfortunately, seeing a psychologist or shrink to help us deal with the changes in our emotional health is not a culture here in this part of Africa. So I became my own hero and started writing to help myself heal and reclaim back my life. So all those facebook notes and BBM broadcast gave birth to the challenge that pushed me to start my blog in January. And now I’m comfortable and at peace with myself. I’m using my thoughts to also influence and help others express themselves.

    Coming from a country in Africa where people are exposed, yet traditional in a sense, you have brought different personalities to the show, how do you source for them?

    Well, one of the easiest places to connect with people globally is on the social media. The world has become a global village. Before, you would have to travel thousands of miles to engage with a foreigner, now they are only a phone call or an email away. Look at what I tried to accomplish, bringing 16 special guests from seven different countries around the world to my first anniversary show. Had it been a terrestrial radio programme, it would have been logistically impossible. Even online Podcasts won’t ever dare to attempt having that many guests on one show, but we did. We broke the Internet and had the biggest on-air celebration in Africa. So my biggest online hang out spot for meeting and connecting with amazing influencers, is definitely twitter.

    What are your challenges despite the success story?

    The biggest one would be network. Don’t forget having Internet is still a luxury in this part of the world. Which sometimes can be epileptic in some areas. I have had several network disasters and it can be frustrating, especially since I know how much it costs to stream my live show and everything else I do daily on digital media from Webinars, to my Blog, #AskAlex Talk Therapy, my live video broadcasts and using an expensive network like Etisalat, whose services are great in speed but very, very expensive.  Also getting more Nigerian entrepreneurs/ corporate institutions to step into the future and be at par with the rest of the world as regards earning benefits from advertising with on-demand radio shows and podcasts.

    You are a woman of many parts, where do you draw your inspiration from?

    Life! Life has opened my mind to so many lessons that experience was willing to teach me. I draw inspiration from the people around me, events surrounding us, the challenges, obstacles and the accomplishments we make. Having the clarity that my purpose is to empower others.

    Which is more fulfilling for you?

    This question is like asking a mother to choose between her children. I absolutely love being in front of the camera as a working actor. I’m simply waiting for a discerning director who would take a creative risk with me, away from the usual suspects and challenge me. I look forward to an artistic challenge, featuring in the right kind of movies that add cogent value, not washed off tepid stories. I don’t need to be in the A-list mention for me to set a standard for myself. I love acting just as much as I also like writing, because in that area I’m in control. I represent myself 100percent. I love engaging in discussions. Anyone who doesn’t know that about me, knows nothing of why The Naked Talk Radio Show was created. So how can I pick between these different mediums? They each have an audience and they bring a different sense of fulfilment. Maybe this indecision was the reason I was the only junior student in high school who was a member of the Drama Club, Music Club & Press Club, all at the same time. I know my biggest fulfilment is knowing that I have impacted someone’s life with my art.

    You are daddy’s pet and also close to your mom, how supportive have they been?

    They have both been equally supportive of my dreams. And more so recently showing an even deeper sort of excitement, as the reality of what I’ve created dawns on everyone, including myself. I’m happy they tap into my excitement. Honestly, their blessings and prayers are the fuel I need to keep moving forward.

    Your marriage didn’t work out and if you look at Nollywood today, there are so many failed marriages, from your point of view, what is the problem?

    Marriage is crumbling in every faucet of the different industries, sectors, and tribes. People are simply less tolerant and perhaps more incompatible….The truth is that marriage remains an institution that is more complex than our fickle minds can fathom.

    Have you at any point in time regretted that the marriage didn’t work?

    I’ll be honest, the only regret I have is not giving my son the complete family he deserves. I sometimes feel like I failed him in that regard. That being said, he’s not alone. I am his mom and his dad, and he has guidance and love from his extended family….Plus, I have God’s grace and his unwavering love. When the right time comes, God will gift him a real father that will raise him with love. Anything other than that, I only have lessons.

    What has motherhood changed in you?

    Plenty! I simply grew. I probably didn’t change. I just grew up. And I mean that emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. I see life differently and I now embrace my responsibilities whole heartily.

    What should we expect in 2016?

     Expect some major leap in collaborations. As an expressionist and a creative entrepreneur, I believe in strategic alliance and adding value to the goals and vision of others. The Naked Movement would be getting some more global recognition. I would be speaking at more public events and improving my brand this year, shooting more films, hosting more influential guests on radio, releasing my second book. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

  • ‘Life is not a marathon’

    ‘Life is not a marathon’

    Debbie Ogunjobi- Ojo is the CEO of the popular fashion label, Everywoman. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about running the brand for the past twenty years, the things that make her tick and her latest fashion line, Debbs.

    How would you describe life as an entrepreneur in the fashion business?

    The brand Everywoman would be twenty years this year. Not without its challenges. Every endeavour has its challenges but it’s been a blessing for me. The major challenge is the instability of the naira. It is an unfriendly economic climate for businesses to thrive. People keep asking Nigerians to cope and you wonder ‘cope with what?’ Our reality is such that somebody like Aliko Dangote has a net worth that has been devalued by almost thirty percent. His only crime is that he is a Nigerian who believes in Nigeria. So you can imagine what the rest of us feel. In the past eighteen months, the naira has gone from 252 to almost 400 to a pound.

    Let’s talk about the achievements twenty years down the line

    God has given me a name, given me a business and gave me friends that I don’t even know; made me acceptable and I have done well in my service. It has also been able to put food on the table and provide for me. I have enjoyed it and I have been able to expand. Interestingly, I didn’t think it was going to last this long. It was just something that was meant to be a distraction in 1996, then my mother died and it was such a horrible period for me. So, it was just something for me to take my mind off it for a couple of years but here we are twenty years later.

    How would you describe the first few years of the business?

    The first two years were very successful and unrealistically successful. Then, the third and fourth year made me come back to earth. I think the fourth year was the year I declared a loss and it was very humbling. It was a hard lesson to learn because I decided that I was my own customer. I am athletic and slim and I let my taste decide the choice I bought. Unfortunately, not everybody was as lean as I was. In four years time, I will be fifty. I am not the typical Nigerian woman with the typical Nigerian body. So, I had realigned my thinking with the typical Nigerian body. The typical Nigerian body is size 18, which is the average size. The time I was talking about, I was size eight or ten and it was totally unrealistic to buy clothes of these sizes as the main line. So, I learnt the transition women go through with their bodies, and now I am an authority on this.

    I know that there is a body you have when you are young, then there is another body that you acquire when you are making babies, as well as another body acquired when you are taking care of the children and the stress is so much. At some point in life, when you become wife, mother and working woman, you are in the survival mood and you do not give yourself the necessary attention.

    Apart from the feminine figure, what are the other things that you learnt over the years?

    I have learnt not to impose my idea on people. I also found that most women in their late teens and early twenties sacrifice comfort for beauty. We don’t mind being uncomfortable but it is only for a short while. Ideally, a woman of style should be able to marry beauty and comfort. Then you also have to respect where you are going to. It is bad taste for you to go to a religious place and you decide that you dress in a funny way. You have to dress for the audience you expect. I find it funny when people say that I dress to express myself. You have to understand the people that you are expressing yourself to.

    What are the things that we would find in your collection?

    I have designed for years but I never put my name on it. Now, there is a range that I put my name on and it is called Debbs. I am proud of it because it is for women that need their clothes to be a bit forgiven. For those who used to have a flat stomach, it gives you structure and has some elastic in them, so they expand a bit. For the middle aged woman, zip is no longer your friend. Also, a lot of us have the habit of breathing on when the tailor is taking our measurements. So I am designing a range that rarely do you use zip and if you must use zip the fabric must be elastic. It could be cotton with a bit of elastic in it .This is better than to wear something and the zip give way at the back.

    If you had to advice women about looking good, what would you tell them?

    Looking good starts from the inside. For the past two weeks, every night I have a cup of bitter leaf. It is blended and the leaves are sieved and I just drink the water with a slice of pineapple to change the taste. Banana does not work; it is better to get an apple, pineapple or even orange.

    What are the other things that you avoid?

    I don’t do wheat at all. I don’t do fried foods that I do not know where the oil came from. There are times that you get stuck in traffic and you buy plantain chips and I get reactions on my face, which was traced to the oil and so I don’t do it. My favourite snack is gurudi. If I need to clear my system I eat eba with efo riro, then I put okro in it. You can also do okro raw; just soak it in water and drink the water.

    What are the new plans?

    For me, I try not to have plans because it gives you unrealistic expectations and then you come under unnecessary pressure.

    What about the other things that occupy your time?

    I am involved with my church a lot. Children are very happy people, I enjoy their company. I also like to run. Yesterday, I did 6.5 kilometres; it sets my day. I used to like reading a lot. Now, I do audio books a lot. When you listen to audio books, you hear inflections and emphasis. In books, you are your own emphasis; you don’t know what a writer is trying to stress. So it is almost as if you have a debate with the writer. What I do is if I like the book I am reading, I would also listen to the audio book.

    Let’s talk about the type of books that you like to read

    I like books that develop the mind. I am not exactly a romance person. I like Don Guelmuez. He wrote, The Four Agreement. I like books like The Shark, A Thousand Names for Joy, by Kathy Baron. I like books that challenge the mind, books that connect my spirit and soul. I like books that are eclectic, not what you find everywhere. Then I like Mariam Williams; everything that she writes, I am going to buy. Any relationship that you have that does not make you better is not a good relationship. That is why I do not understand people who read horror. I am curious. I like to know what human beings are capable of; I also like autobiographies.

    If you had to talk to young people, what would you tell them?

    Life is not a marathon, conserve your energy, conserve your beauty, conserve your talent and don’t burn bridges. Young people these days are in a hurry for everything. There is no hurry and you would find out eventually. You want so many things and then you get all of this only to realise that success is having what money cannot buy. That is why you see someone driving the best of cars yet feeling poorer than a messenger. I think this is where joy comes from. Happiness momentary thrills. You want to get a car and you get it and the next day you are looking for the next goal.

    Let’s talk about one or two memorable moments in life

    Good ones or bad ones? The good ones are many. The bad ones are few and they are the ones that I actually remember. The first horrible thing that ever happened to me was when my younger sister died. Then the second horrible experience was when my mother died on the 8th of June 1996 and the third was when my brother died in June 2015.

    How did you arrive at the name of your brand, Everywoman?

     You know I wish I could tell you something else. The truth, however, is that at that point, I was driving and then the song talking about everywoman came up and that was it.

     Are you thinking of a male brand?

    Yes, I did at a point. I actually did register the company because I had access to brand that had male stuff in Europe.  While I was thinking about it, there was a store on Allen where some men came in dressed in suits armed and I said ‘no, no, no.’

    How do you relax and what are some of your hobbies?

    I love to cook; I have a flair for cooking. If I come to your place and I eat something that I like, I can guarantee that I would replicate it better for you the next time you visit me. My mum liked to cook too and she taught everyone in the house how to cook. My brothers are great cooks and from the age of ten you must be able to cook in our house. Another thing that my mum did was that whenever we had parties, we were the cooks (Olopos).

  • ‘Why I wear ankara 365 days a year’

    ‘Why I wear ankara 365 days a year’

    With a first degree in English Education and masters in Public Administration, Onome Ikhimioya, the CEO of MISTICS Couture, is being creative in her own way. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the designer takes you into her journey into fashion, working with Vlisco, the challenges and potential in the sector

    How did fashion designing start for you?

    It was very interesting and when I got to the University of Benin, it took a new dimension. I was clothing virtually everyone on campus. They come to when there is a party, to put things together for them. For me, that was easy because it was what I liked to do. I spend the whole time on this and sometimes you are talking to me and I am sketching. My mind could be there and I would just be sketching out something that is really good. At the end of the day, I have something nice and there are times when I could spend a whole day doing this. Most times, I went to the market, get fabrics and combine it for people at no cost because it was actually my passion.

    The name Mistics actually came from school because people would come to me saying Onomistics, and that was how it all started. Once they hail me this way, they were sure of getting free services. I would feel nice and do my sketches for them. I love putting colours together and for me this was so creative. At that point, I could wear an outfit that has up to eight colours. There are times when I would be going out and my mother would be shocked with all the colours that I had on. Fashion has just been a part of me; something I love and it is selfless and effortless. Not something that I have to rack my head on to get results.

    Most times, people say fashion is expensive but I would say it is not. You can put one or two things together, no matter how cheap it is and look so good. For me, fashion is knowing what to put together.

    You talked about sketching, did you study Arts?

    No. That is the funny part; I actually hated arts in school and each time they put some things together and ask us to draw, and I couldn’t do it well. However, I discovered at some point that I could sketch people, I could sketch dresses. My first degree is in English Education and I have masters in Public Administration and then also did Human Resources.

    Where did you work after school?

    I worked in an insurance company and did the marketing thing, but I discovered that I wasn’t getting fulfilment from this. I left and went into interior decoration and I was designing things for people. I also did some painting and was mixing paints for Dulux but I was still doing my fashion thing. I did a number of decorations for banks and everything I did had to do with designing and creativity.

    Where did you pick this from?

    The truth is that nobody really influenced me, it was just in me. I first learnt how to sew without any training on my own. I got a machine myself, put it on the dining table and I just started. But I had to go and learn and the first with a Ghanaian somewhere in FESTAC.

    When I was in school, whenever there was strike, I got something doing. During one of those strikes, I went somewhere to learn and my mates and people at home kept wondering what I was up to. I needed to know more and I went to a higher place and the business then started from my boy’s quarters. I love the bling thing and I do a lot of things in this category.

    What are the other things we can see in your collection?

    We have everything here. Basically, I am an ankara person. I love Ankara, because it is a fabric that you can do all sorts of things with; it comes in different colours and it gives you great inspiration. Once you pick up the fabric, you see a number of things that you can do with it. You can mix it with lace, chiffon or organza. It is a fabric that you can do a whole lot with. I also think that ankara creates itself in the sense that you look at it and it tells you exactly what you can do with it. This is not so with a number of other fabrics. In our collection, you would find ankara made into all kinds of things; from palazzos to shorts, dresses, caftans and more.

    How would you describe the Nigerian fashion scene at the moment?

    It is wonderful, our designers are going places, Years back, when I started, it wasn’t like this. People then went to the boutiques and embraced English wear. These days, you see people stepping out in ankara for important events. All they have to do is just jazz it up and the ankara stands out.  All you do now is to put some stones, blings and make it interesting. So, you can go anywhere with the ankara in the Nigerian fashion market; everybody is doing a whole lot around the fabric in terms of creativity. I am creating mine while other designers are also creating theirs. We just had the St. Eves West Africa show and it was very nice. Ade Bakare came, he is one Nigerian designer doing great in the UK and most of the things that he showcased were done with ankara. That also shows you that the ankara is in a class of its own today. In one of the pictures, I saw Beyonce wearing ankara shorts with a jacket. If you walk into a place with ankara that is jazzed up, you are being differentiated. We have a number of our designers doing so well with our fabrics.

    What about accessories, do you have them in your collection?

    I must say that what I do usually is accessorising the fabrics to make it more interesting. However, overtime, I intend going into ankara shoes, ankara bags, arm bracelets, necklaces and ankara wrist watches. I also intend going into the production of bling items and having other designers come to me to stone their fabrics. These days, some women go all the way to places like Dubai just to stone their fabrics. Recently, I went there and bought the machines that do all this. So, now I have designers come to me to stone their fabrics. I am going into this full-time next year and I am getting more machines from the United States. This would reduce cost because they won’t need to travel all the way, get accommodation and the other cost that comes with it.

    For a lot of designers, getting good tailors can be a problem. Is it easy with you?

    It is a big problem and I think this is one of the problems every designer is faced with in Nigeria. For instance, FADAN is trying to have a central place with lots of tailors where designers can come. That was what they used to do in Aba or even abroad. Every designer does not have to have his or her own tailor. You go to a production place and give your designs to them and they do a whole lot for you. That is what we are looking forward to in Nigeria. Having to manage tailors is tough. You think you have given them the best, but deep down they are not satisfied. I remember there was a time that I brought tailors from Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivoire and Cotonou because our people were not doing it well and at a point they wanted to call the shots. I tell my children that they just must have a skill; it is not just about going to school. My daughter is a graduate of Chemical Engineering but she is in the fashion line with me because she must have a skill. Right now, we know that oil and gas is not as it used to be and so she needs to have a plan B. Now, instead of depending on tailors from outside the country, we need to develop the skills and capacity here.

    Let’s talk about your personal style, what are we likely to find in your wardrobe?

    I am a shoe freak and clothing is me. I can shop for about 20 or 30 pairs of shoes. In my wardrobe, you find everything name it.  I dress up everyday and I am always ready, you don’t need to invite me somewhere and I say wait I need to go back and wear something. I wear Ankara every day. Some people have told me that I am the only person they see wearing Ankara 365 days a year. The secret of my smart outlook is that I work out a lot, I do this every day. For colours , I am a pink person but I work with every colour. When it comes to perfume, I love Gucci Rush.

    When I make clothes for my customers I consider their body type, skin colour and fabric. I am also not a busy person, for me less is more.

    What does fashion mean to you?

    For me fashion had always been a part of me in the sense that I care about what I wear. I just don’t dress up. I am particular about what I wear, I just don’t follow trends and I know how to match things, how to combine colors and how to sketch. I think that was how it started for me.