CHLOE OLUMIDE COLOURFUL WORLD OF BOBBY BENSON’S GRAND DAUGTHER
Her eminence is multiplied by the link to Bobby Benson, an entertainer and musician who defined an era of Nigerian music, particularly the Highlife genre. Her father, Yomi (Bobby Benson Jnr.), managed the 80s hit group, SWEAT, which majorly comprised his
She has created a gorgeous and stylish window display characterised by rare pieces of furnishing to attract attention. The strong appeal is hard to resist and curiosity tears down every inhibition that may have been unwittingly announced with a name like The Luxury Collection; drawing many to enter the display shop. While the security man at the entrance does not really hinder visitors, he looks smart enough in his uniform to enhance the obvious impression of elegance that is evident, beginning from the flight of steps and the decoration on the wall leading to the main exhibition area.
A waiting staff announces my presence to Chloe Olumide who requested that I be ushered into her office. She was in an all black outfit. Her workplace is small. She would later explain that the business has expanded from another property next door which it still retains. This new space is already looking crammed. Chloe weighs her words like a skilled athlete pumping iron to build specific parts of the body. Her statements are direct like, “I need all the space I can get to showcase what we have got to customers.”
Although she is born of a great heritage, it takes some prodding for her to volunteer the information. Much of what she likes to talk about is how in her 29 years she has been able to take the right decisions, guided by her parents, of course to make her a business owner. If she was to write the story of her life, her parents, Mrs. Abiodun FeuserAjidahun and Mr. Yomi Bobby Benson Jnr., would get a generous mention for the mentoring that has ensured she is on a steady climb up the ladder of success. “It was actually my Dad who told me to do this. I am actually thankful to both of my parents. Parents know their children. I wanted to explore something else, but my dad said you do this with your mother all the time and you do it well. Some people need to be taught things that come naturally to other people. I have since developed my own touch, but this is not something that I went to school to learn. I must give credit to my parents. ”
We were just getting acquainted and trying to decide if we should wait for Adubi Mydaz, the artist who scheduled the meeting or get on with it. She was not sure if she should hand me her business card. And she did not mind at all if her speech would be considered a blunder by me, a stranger. But it showed her warmth and authenticity, if anything. “I just got married and I have not made business cards with my new name.” Laughing, she added a clincher, “my mother in-law will kill me if she hears me introducing myself any other way.” “I am Mrs. Olumide!” The influence of the personality she has just introduced does not register immediately until she throws more light. Her husband is the son of the former Managing Director of the defunct Virgin Nigeria, Captain Dapo Olumide.
However, Chloe’s circle of eminence is further multiplied by her link to Bobby Benson, an entertainer and musician who defined an era of Nigerian music, particularly the Highlife genre. Her father, Yomi (Bobby Benson Jnr.) managed the 80s hit group, SWEAT, which majorly comprised
I AM EXPRESSING MY CREATIVE GENE IN A DIFFERENT WAY. MY GRANDFATHER WAS A MUSICIAN AND I AM AN INTERIOR DECORATOR. HE WAS A PERFORMING ARTISTE. IN SOME WAY, I SEE MYSELF AS A VISUAL ARTIST. I ADD VALUE TO A SPACE BY PLACING THE RIGHT PIECES THAT ARE EYE PLEASING AND ENLIVEN THE SENSES