By Ebun Sessou & Dolapo Majekodunmi

Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Ogunbadejo is the pioneer of Aso Oke in Nigeria, through one of the branches of Tisbee Nigeria Limited. With her style, she has carved  a niche for herself in her choice of career. She took Aso Oke to a new level with her elegant brands. In this interview, she narrates how she started  Aso Oke business with N15,000. Today, the business has expanded beyond the shores of Nigeria. She now exports Aso Oke.

Starting Life

Born on February 12, 1946 to the family of late Pa and Ma Obasanya in Lagos, I had primary and secondary education at St. Paul’s Breadfruit school and New Era Girls’ Secondary School, Lagos respectively.

After my secondary school, I took up a clerical job at the Administration General’s Office, Lagos.

In 1968, I got married to Engineer Tayo Ogunbadejo.

In pursuit of greener pasture, I proceeded with my husband to Canada under the Canadian Common Wealth Scholarship and got admitted to Fanshawe College of Business Education, London. I graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor’s  degree in secretarial  administration.

My desire was to study nursing which was a core course in those days. I thought I could go for nursing but the Canadians insisted I must have my first degree before applying for nursing or any of their medical courses.

After my secretarial administration studies, I decided to be on part-time, doing my businesses to assist my husband. With the little money I saved, we were able to take care of our children. After my husband got his PhD, we decided to come back to Nigeria.

My husband was called to resume work at the Federal Ministry of Works where he had worked before. While he was at the ministry, he had applied for teaching appointment at various institutions. He was called to Yaba College of Technology as lecturer. Later, he moved to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro as pioneer Rector.

Life was rosy and my husband insisted I should no longer work. So I was taking care of my children. The first thing I learnt was driving so that I could take my children to school. My husband was going to Ilaro every Monday and coming  back every Friday. So we were just weekend husband and wife for the eight years he spent at Ilaro

The Aso Oke Business?

I have done many businesses before starting Aso Oke. I don’t believe in idleness. So, I was busy doing things including catering. I was also running a supermarket. In 1993, I started the Aso Oke. The journey to the Aso Oke started when I went to Agege to buy some things. On my way, I met a boy holding a pair of Aso Oke and I called him. I loved nice things and so couldn’t not take my eyes off the Aso Oke. The boy told me he was into making of Aso Oke. I told him to follow me home and to sell the material to me which he did. I also told him to come back. He said he was from Senegal. I wanted to engage him to be making Aso Oke for me while I did the drawing and sketching.

Unfortunately he did not come back. When my husband came back from Ilaro, I told him I wanted to venture into Aso Oke, and he obliged me. Fortunately, the boy surfaced after some years. We cemented our agreement on the Aso Oke business. We started the business and people started patronizing me.

I started the business in my parlour with N15,000. When the business started gaining patronage, the boy told me he was going back to school, that he could not continue to work for me.

His father took up the job based on his recommendation and we continued. Later, we moved from my parlour to a bigger place. My husband and my daughter helped in the sale of the the product and business progressed. My daughter who was a scientist also joined me in the business. She likes drawing and she knows how to combine colours. Today, my two daughter are fully involved in the Aso Oke business. Tisbee Nigeria Limited has become a household name. It is incorporated. My husband and I have succeeded in making all our children as directors in all our businesses.

Learning on the job?

I did not learn how to make Aso Oke but I have some books that I read. I also learnt how to set stripes of thread that go into the lump.

Challenges

In any business, you are bound to face challenges. There were times we mixed colours which we didn’t like. Then, we had to start all over again. Some persons might request for the exact colour of the bag or shoe they are wearing which might be difficult. Another challenge is the exchange rate. Also, there are lots of fake materials in the market.

The demand for Aso Oke

Aso Oke is still in vogue. It is our traditional attire. Government of Nigeria should encourage people who are into the Aso Oke business.

How she met her husband

It was divine intervention. I met my husband through his friend who was my lesson teacher. He was teaching Mathematics and Biology. We were living in the same compound in Onibudo. They were in the same University. One day, they visited their friend in Lagos. My parents and I were coming from church. Then, my teacher told me to come and see him. I thought he wanted to scorn me for not doing well in my studies. So I quickly went and met him. To my surprise, I saw his friends in his room and he started introducing them to me one after the other. Then, I quickly responded that we were just coming back from church, that I would come back. I was not happy and I went back to warn him against such act. He said I should relax. He told me what happened in their hostel; how they cast ballot on me to know who will marry me. And because he was a bookworm, nobody thought he could win. He eventually won. That was around 1964. He lived at Somolu where my classmate was living. He was sending letter through my colleague to me. After his graduation, he started working with the ministry of works. I was working at the Administration General’s Office, Lagos. He never saw me but he was writing letters to me. After a while, we agreed to marry each other. We knew each other in 1966 and married in 1968.

Nigeria in her 20s

Ogunbadejo

Nigeria in my 20s? We had a nice time. My parents used to take us to Learners to buy shoes and sandals. We were well treated. We enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere. Then, nobody dares propose to us without our parent’s consent. We knew each other, unlike what is obtainable now. There is fear in the land now. Immoralities, indecent dressing, and rape, among others, have taken over the land. You can no longer trust anybody. In those days, we were all friends, we mingled and organise parties. We respected our parents and honoured God. Our school teachers were like our demigods but the children of this generation are indisciplined. I believe parents should stand up to their duties. I believe what has contributed to the decline in moral standard is the emergence of technology. An average student don not know mathematics, neither can he or she construct good English. And that is why there is mass failure in both Mathematics and English.

Fashion and style

In those days, fashion was relative. We were cautioned on how we dressed. We were moderate in our dressing. But now, fashion has been bastardized.

Secret of good looking

I don’t know, but I thank God. I’m just blessed with good health. I am cautious of what I eat and drink. I don’t drink alcoholic drinks. I don’t take too much oil. We grill our food and we started that when we were in Canada.

What is her best food?

I don’t have a special food. I eat anything I like. I take ogi and moi-moi or oath and moi-moi. I don’t take eba or rice in the morning. I can eat rice in the afternoon and I eat only twice in a day. And go to bed with a cup of tea.

How she relaxes

I trek within the house more than six times daily. I maximise the use of my brain.

What is her hobby?

I love listening to music and dancing. I read newspapers and listen to news to know the happenings around the world.

Any regret in life?

I don’t have any regret in life.

My husband is a disciplinarian. He does not tolerate indolence. He dislikes people who do not know mathematics. He thought me Chemistry. As a lady, I learnt to how do many things including baking, cooking and sewing.

Achievements

My greatest achievement is that my children have taken on the job. It is my joy that my children are involved in the business.

Her aspirations

At 70 years, I still pray to God for more strength and to continue to serve him and also help humanity. I pray God would make me strong and help me enjoy good health.

What she would wish herself

I pray God to continue to give me good health and sound mind to be able to impact humanity. I want to give God more and more of my lifetime.

Advice to women

Women should be supportive in their homes. My husband never knew the worth of the clothe he wears, neither does he knows where the clothes are sold. I do all the shopping in the house.