Tora Olaiya is a woman of many talents. – a singer, model, TV presenter , lecturer and entrepreneur. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her passion for beauty and skincare, challenges, inspiration from her mum as well as the things she misses about her late uncle, Sir Victor Olaiya.
Tell us how you got into broadcasting?
I’ve been into broadcasting for many years; I started in London by obtaining a few certificates in broadcasting and production. Then I gained my professional experience in Nigeria. I got my first break hosting the overnight show on 99.3 Nigeria info FM Lagos and within a year I was hosting the Morning drive time on Cool FM. I would like to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to Mr. Onimisi Adaba and Mr. Nimi Oruye and the entire Cool, Wazobia, Info team for giving me the opportunity. They really didn’t know me from a can of paint but they saw something in me and since then I’ve had the opportunity to work as a presenter and a producer with some of the best broadcasting platforms in Africa including Spice TV and M-Net.
What was the experience like at the beginning?
It was hard work but it was also fun because I was literally thrown in at the deep end. I hosted my first show by myself. I wasn’t familiar with the equipment but I took to the challenge like a duck to water because I have a diploma in music technology which really helped me to learn the technical side of radio very quickly. The best thing for me was that I got to learn by working with some of the best broadcasters in the industry. People like Ali Baba, Olisa Adonis, IK Osakioduwa, Eku Edewor and so many more. They don’t know it but they were like my unofficial mentors. I learnt so much by just watching them do their thing on air.
What were you doing before that experience?
Before broadcasting I was a university lecturer. I taught in the Middle East and Europe before moving to Nigeria to pursue my passion (broadcasting). My goal is to explore the African Market at large, so I figured Nigeria was a good place to start.
What are the other things that occupy your time now?
Now I am an executive. I’m a media consultant and broadcast specialist by trade. I have my own company called T.O.M consulting which is a subsidiary of Toriya Entertainment Limited. We specialize in all things media including production, media training and public relations. We’ve been so blessed to have clients like Warner Music SA, Bet 9ija and Heineken to name a few. I am also the Chief Communications Officer for one of the biggest real estate developers in Lagos. They’re called Dillon Consultants Nigera and they’re expanding into the gas and banking sector. I manage the internal and external communications for the entire group. I’m also producing a podcast with one of the biggest media platforms in Africa. I can’t say much about it now, but expect to hear more about that very soon.
What are the challenges you encountered?
I like to see my challenges as lessons. Life lessons to help me grow. At the end of the day what doesn’t kill you or break you can only make you stronger. A hard lesson I learnt was swallowing my pride and not being afraid to start again. I’ve really mastered the art of being flexible and adaptable. But without compromising my principles. It’s taken me a long time to get to this space and I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, but that’s life. I believe the biggest lesson you can learn in life is to master yourself. It may sound a bit cliché, but that’s one of the things that are very important to me. It’s important that I’m honest to myself as well as others. I’m at a stage in my life where I say no to opportunities that people would kill for. I don’t say no because I’m too good. I say no because if it doesn’t align with my goals and values, then I don’t do it. I’m no longer in the business of doing things just because I get a cheque or it’s what people think I should be doing.
What are some of the memorable moments in your life and career?
When I look back on my career every milestone is memorable for me, just because I always speak what I want to do into existence. For example I wanted to be a TV and radio presenter (done that). I wanted to be a producer (done that). I wanted to start my own company (done that). I wanted to be an executive (doing that). Literally everything I set my heart on comes to pass and my career just keeps growing from strength to strength.
What are some of the changes you would like to see in the sector?
I would like to see more investment in the creatives industries for start. More structure in film, television, music, especially for the youth sector. We need more programs that support young people who are trying to get into the industry.
What has been the experience in Real Estate?
Real Estate has been so good to me. It’s changed my life for the better. I’m in a constant state of gratitude and my mindset has really evolved. I’m really grateful to Dillon Consultants Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to grow and flourish doing what I know best (Communications). I feel blessed to be a part of one of the best when it comes to the real estate sector, because it’s so much more than just selling and buying properties. To me, it represents generational wealth, black excellence and African opulence at its finest. Real estate empowers me and it inspires me to demand more of myself and to be the best I can be. Then there’s the fact that I get to combine my passion for media and communications with real estate. Sometimes, I sit back and take it all in and I thank God for all my blessings.
What are the new areas that you are looking at?
I’m happy you asked, because Dillon Consultants Nigeria is venturing into the gas and banking sector and I am part of the executive team that will be working on their expansion. Asides, from the corporate world I’m also expanding my business portfolio into the skincare and beauty industry. Most people who know me know that I’m a huge advocate for self-love and as a woman; I really believe that having confidence in your self-worth is the ultimate middle finger to anyone or anything that tries to put you down in anyway.
We go through life with so many unwarranted judgments and opinions directed towards us and for some women it can be a bit too much. That’s why I’m investing a lot of time and resources into developing my own natural luxury skincare brand, because as women, it’s important that we take the time to take care of ourselves. The skincare, the hair care, eating right, exercising, traveling and relaxing. All of the little self-care routines that are often overlooked or thought of as vain, are really the little investments that we should put more time and effort into. I say this because; peace of mind is the ultimate flex for anyone. Therefore, it’s important to focus on things that give us peace of mind.
Tell us about the people you admire?
I admire my mother more than anyone else right now. Now that I am a young woman coming into my own. I understand her so much more than I ever did. Beyond that I respect and admire her hustle. By the time my mother was my age she had 4 children, real estate and businesses and she did a lot of it with my father being absent because of the nature of his job and lifestyle. My mum definitely wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. So, when I think about the start she gave me and my siblings in life, I really admire her for that. After my mother, it’s my sisters and then it’s Oprah Winfrey. I hope to meet her one day and have a conversation with her because she seems like someone who can talk about everything and anything.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
A really good question which I truly had to think about. I guess the thing that influences me the most is my drive and passion. The rest is God because without the most high I wouldn’t have as much solid people in my life as I do now.
What is your definition of style?
I don’t define my style because I focus on what is comfortable and what looks good on me. I really focus on dressing for my body type too. As far as a definition is concerned. I really couldn’t give you one, because my style is forever changing and evolving. If I had to use one word I would call it flexible because really that’s what it is. I adapt my style according to my environment.
What message do you have for young people who want to go into the sector?
See it, believe it and give thanks before it comes. Don’t let anyone tell you NO. For every door that closes another one will definitely open wider so just be ready when it does. For that you need to have the right attitude. Even in the most challenging time, your true test of character is how you come out on the other side of adversity. Anything worth having will never come easy, but find comfort in the fact that it will come as long as you stand the course of time. I would like to share something with you that my mother used to tell me. She used to say “You have to be in it to win it.
You studied music and your late uncle, Sir Victor Olaiya was a great inspiration to you. What do you miss about him and what does he mean to you?
Uncle Victor meant a lot to me and the entire Olaiya family. His intellect and creativity was second to none and we miss him every day. The thing I miss about him the most was his charisma. He was a very charming man and even towards the end of his life his charm shone through in his eyes and his smile. Even though he’s missed, his legacy lives on in his children, family and his music and that’s something that inspires me. My late father inspires me in the same way. Even though he died when I was very young, I inherited his passion and I know he’s always with me. I believe my father and uncle Victor are both watching over me.
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