OLUWABUNMI AMAO THE NIGERIAN WOMAN PRESERVING CULTURE, HERITAGE AND HISTORY

From presiding over her father’s conglomerate in Ibadan, where she excelled and forming her own furniture company where she dazzled households/royal palaces with her jaw-dropping architectural pieces, and her exceptional performances in the public sector as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao, the first daughter of Ibadan business magnate, Chief Bode Amao is gradually leaving her legacy and name on the sands of time. Currently, the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Amao, tells Funke Olaode why she is passionate about preserving the culture, history and heritage of Nigeria.

The newly installed Queen Idia Mask in front of the sprawling old colonial building that once housed Lord Luggard Office on Broad Street, Lagos, is gradually becoming a work of art that illuminates the entire neighbourhood at night. The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) is known as one of those government agencies, but the narrative is changing as one of the most cherished archives where culture and monuments that define us as a people can be found.

Inside the edifice are artefacts, historical statues, photographs and momentous from the famous FESTAC ’77, where 59 countries from different continents were represented.

Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, a woman with a Midas touch who has excelled both in the private and public sector, is in charge. Since she came on board 11 months ago as CBAAC helmswoman, Amao’s ingenuity, craft, creativity, and brilliance are reflected in this federal government agency. Her experience as a seasoned businesswoman and her public exposure while serving as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, came in handy in piloting the affairs of this agency to an enviable position.

Looking regal in her forest green traditional attire, Amao has a solid footing, having been born by the Ibadan successful business mogul, Chief Bode Amao.

“I am the first daughter of Chief Bode Amao, the Asiwaju of Ibadan land. I was born in Kano. But when I was nine months, my grandmother took me to Ibadan. So I grew up with my grandmother in Ibadan. She died when I was eight years old. So I had to go back to Kano to join my parents. But my stay in the North was short-lived because my parents later moved to Lagos.”

Born on March 4th, 1960, Amao began her educational pursuit at St. Peters Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan, after which she proceeded to Reagan Memorial Girls Primary School, Onike, Yaba, Lagos. She finished her secondary education at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, IperuRemo, Ogun State. A well-educated and grounded woman, she moved to Halidon House School Stoke Poges, Surrey, England for her ‘A’ Level, after which she gained admission into Richmond College, Surrey, where she bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance. That Amao is brilliant is an understatement. Her brilliance and academic prowess would later earn her a Master’s degree in Business Management and Finance at International University Europe, Sandiego, California. Prior to that, she had spent her summer schools at Syracuse University and California State University, Fullerton. After her sojourn in Europe and America, Amao returned to Nigeria and served her mandatory NYSC at the Ministry of Urban Planning and Land Matters, Lagos, in 1983.

Having a father with a deep pocket is good, but creating a niche through hard work is key in Amao’s career trajectory. Armed with degrees from reputable institutions abroad and with determination to succeed as a young girl climbing the ladder of success, she plunged herself into her father’s conglomerate. At the young age of 24 in 1984, she began her career as a Finance Manager of Joas Electrical Industries Limited a position she held until she was promoted to the position of Group Managing Director of JOAS Group of companies overseeing companies under JOAS Group such as Joas Electrical Industries Limited, Joas Trading, Joas Furniture Ltd, Bode Foam Industry Ltd and Atlantic carpet managing close to over