OLORI LADUN SIJUWADE & DAUGHTER DENRELE FAYOSE
Olori Ladun Sijuwade, perhaps the most prominent wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade is a graduate of Law, Economics and Politics from the Buckingham University and London University respectively. She is the CEO of Dalora Ventures, a wholesale company that imports various consumables from Europe and sells them in bulk to various supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. Blessed with youthful looks, it is hard to believe she is a grandmother already. Her daughter, Princess Adenrele Fayose, is an IT and Business Management degree holder from Sir John Cass Business School London. But she turned her passion for planning parties into a career and is now the CEO of Ruby Fay Events Planning & Management Company that is well known to plan unique events. Assistant Editor Funke Babs-Kufeji recently caught up with both
mother and daughter who shared their views about family, marriage, work and more.
OLORI LADUN SIJUWADE
Tell us a bit about growing up and what you feel has changed in our society now to what it was then in your younger years?
i grew up mostly in england, and then relocated to Lagos, later to ile- ife after marriage. i would say i have more responsibilities now than i had then. Over the past 30 years, Kabiyesi has assigned the duty of representing him in nigeria and abroad when it was impossible for him to attend functions and i still do them and in between, i fit in looking after my mum and running my wholesale foods business.
A wife, mother and grandmother, loved by those who surround you, who will you, say played a major role in your life to become the woman you are today?
Definitely my late mother, chief (Mrs.) F.O. Haroldsodipo. she was a Paris trained fashion designer and she made me the woman i am today. she played a major role in my life. From my early years, she taught me everything a good woman should be. she also had a lot of impact on the way i dressed up apart from the fact that she put me through finishing school twice.
You are a trained Lawyer, did you ever practice and for how long?
i studied Law, economics and Politics at the Buckingham university and my second degree which was Law at the University college of London (UcL). Yes i did practice Law under chief Dele Ogedengbe but not for too long.
Why did you stop practicing Law?
When i got married and my husband Oba Okunade sijuade (Kabiyesi), he objected to my working, so i had to quit.
How did you meet your husband and what where the traits that endeared you to him?
i met him in London in the company of my uncle, Oba Oyebade Lipede, The Alake of egbaland. His listening ear was the first trait that endeared me to him. He paid complete attention to everything i said and this he still has till date. He was also pretty shy but underneath all that he was caring, strong and supportive.
Being the only girl in a family of three, where there any objections from your family about being the wife of an Oba?
The whole world knows what transpired. i do not think i need to go way back in memory.
Coming from a monogamous family, how easy was it for you to adjust into a polygamus setting?
it was a case of survival of the fittest. i realized early enough what the game plan of polygamy was and i turned rules around to suit my purpose. i was confident of the love Kabiyesi my husband had and still has for me and i stood on the pedestal of showing love to the other children, whereby the older children and i have a sibling relationship whilst we were in London and till date.
Being married for many years, what will you say is the recipe to sustain a good marriage?
i have been married to the same man for over 30 years and one thing i will never forget is a Yoruba adage my mother always said to me every time, “suu ru ti o le so okuta ji na”( you should have patience enough that it can cook a stone) if you can practice the Yoruba adage then you’ll survive anything! Also, having faith in God that love conquers all.
In your years of marriage, what would you say has been the most romantic thing you have done for your husband and him for you?
Travelling to exotic places in the world and forgetting all the rules of tradition. Letting my hair down, shopping and going to dinners and dances together. We once travelled to Acapulco and caesars Palace in Las Vegas and we had a lot of fun.
What advice would you give to women, who marry men of such great status as your husband’s?
Learn to understand him, give him his space, a whole load of patience because you need to understand you are coming from one world to another and accepting there will always be mountains to climb at all times.
At almost 60 you still look ageless and beautiful, do you have any diet or beauty regimen you follow religiously?
i work out most days of the week and i maintain a healthy diet. i also do not stress myself about anything, i go to bed on a clear conscience every night.
Who are your favourite designers and why?
internationally, for accessories, hand bags, clothes and shoes, chanel, Hermes and Fendi. Fendi baguettes for my bags, rene caovilla, Jimmy choo and chanel for shoes and sioni for suits. Locally, i lovenikki Khiran & Tae for clothes.
If you had to be described in three words, how would you best describe yourself?
Honest, conservative and God fearing.
What is the one thing about you that people are always surprised to know?
i was brought up a perfect lady but i’m a tomboy on the side and i am very playful.
What is the most preposterous story you have heard about yourself?
That i frequently get into fights and won’t take crap from anybody.
How will you describe the ideal woman of style?
classically, elegant and always confident.
I have been married to the same man for over 30nd years and one thing I will never forget is a Yoruba adage my mother always said to me every time, “Suu ru ti o le so okuta ji na” ( you should have patience enough that it can cook a stone)
PRINCESS ADENRELLE SIJUWADE FAYOSE Who was the most influential person in your life growing up?
i’d say my late grandmother chief (Mrs.) F.O. Harold- Sodipo. i cannot say i have come across anyone else as wise, patient, caring and extremely understanding like she was and of course, my lovely parents.
Where did you study and what degree do you hold?
My first degree is in ICT and Business Management from Queen Mary college, University of London and my Master’s degree is in internal Auditing and Business Management from sir John cass Business school, city University.
Being the daughter of a King; did you face any peculiar privileges?
it was fun! However, we were expected to be on our best behavior at all times and to be seen only doing what’s right at every point in time. i couldn’t voice out my opinions freely, because people would often think i was echoing the thoughts of the royal court. in terms of privileges, i’d say being the daughter of a King, most especially my dad, opened a lot of doors for my siblings and i in different facets of our lives.
What was it like growing up in a big family?
it was all sorts of comedy and pandemonium. Healthy competition! sometimes, there was as many as 12 of us on a plane going on holiday, you can imagine the pandemonium that would cause.
How did you get your start as an event planner?
i have always had a budding passion for organizing and planning anything and any type of events since my A- levels/ University days. i started off planning family events. As you would expect, there is an average of 10 events a year in the Palace ranging from birthdays, weddings, book launches, chieftaincy titles, coronation anniversaries, Leadership awards and a host of others. This gave me my start in the event planning industry.
What is the key to throwing a fabulous party and which one has been your favourite so far?
A lot of planning!!! i’d first of all advice anyone to hire a planner, then ensure to set a realistic budget which suits what exactly it is you want at your party. Make sure there is a lot to eat and drink because the last thing you want is to run out of food and drinks at your event. Good entertainment either in terms of music or an Mc to keep your guests occupied… nobody likes to attend a boring party!
i wish i had one favourite event but top of the list was my grandmother, chief (Mrs.) F.O. Harold-Sodipo’s funeral, Aare Bolu AkinOlugbade’s mother -in-law’s Funeral, the Awolowo Dosumu’s daughter’s engagement and wedding and the Braithwaite family’s mother’s one year memorial have been my favourite so far. They all proved that i had the skill and tenacity to survive in this line of business.
What skills do you think are important to have as an event planner?
A lot of professionalism and patience as you meet all sorts of clients with different ideas and attitudes and you have to be able to accommodate and deal with them accordingly and professionally.
creativity and the ability to think outside the box is another. One thing i don’t do is to treat every event the same. i always try to think of something new that
I do not follow trends. I ensure I wear what I am extremely comfortable in and once I find that style that suits me, I’ll ensure I have them in all
colours possible.
can be incorporated into every event.
ensuring you have a good relationship with top notch vendors in the industry so as to ensure you give your clients the best possible service availabe out there.
Also you must have the ability to think on your feet. You must always be able to think and bring up a solution should Plan A on the day of the event fail. One must also possess the ability to pay attention to detail, you must consider the tiniest detail that your client might not even think about.
What do you enjoy most about your job and
what are the downsides?
The happiness and joy the clients exude on and after the day of the event. The downsides for me is when vendors don’t stick to the plan.
Who are your role models in this business?
colin cowie and Preston Bailey.
Who are your favourite designers and why?
For shoes definitely christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, salvatore Ferragamo because of their designs. For bags, chanel and Fendi mainly because of their Baguettes. For watches, cartier because their designs are timeless.
If you were to describe your mother in three words, what will they be?
Beautiful, diva and selfless.
What is your one fashion weakness?
shoes, shoes and more shoes! i can never have enough shoes!
Describe your personal style
extremely simple & comfortable… i do not follow trends. i ensure i wear what i am extremely comfortable in and once i find that style that suits me, i’ll ensure i have them in all colours possible.