NGOZI NKOLONEYI- I Was Empty When My Husband Died

Mrs. Nkoloneyi

Mrs. Ngozi Nkoloneyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Bloomingale. The amazon also has a bridal outfit, Valerie Bridals, which is one of the most sought-after for brides. The amazon opens up in this interview with OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL, on how she has been able to cope with life without her husband, his death and other issues.  

What is life as an entrepreneur like?

After my studies I did not work in any office. So I started my life as an entrepreneur very early and I had a vision of where I wanted to be in life. Even though it was not easy when I started, it’s with the grace of God I was able to scale through all the hurdles I encountered.

What were the challenges you faced then and now?

There were a lot of challenges then and even more now than when I started. You know we are into production and we need power, but we generate our own power with generator. Most times, we run the generator for 22 hours out of 24 hour. The result is that the cost of diesel is high and it affects every business.

You were known to be a French lace merchant, what happened to the business?Interestingly, I was the one who brought the awareness to French lace to our fashion sector. Even though I have been buying it for myself, as they say, “media can make you or mar you”. At that point in my life, it was City People that wrote stories about me then and God used them for me. They also helped to discover my talent and it opened my eyes to many opportunities in the sector.

Everyone knew that you and your husband were like five and six, how did you cope after his death?

It wasn’t easy at all. When he died, my life collapsed and I was light as the feather without strength to do anything. I felt empty and nothing was within me again. I didn’t know where to start from and I wanted to go with him.

I was in London when it happened. It was around 2 am that he felt somehow and by 6 pm my boys were at the airport to see him. I could not believe it; he was not sick, I spoke to him an hour before he died. He walked into the hospital by himself and a few hours later he was gone. When I saw him at the mortuary I could not help but grab him and give him the last kiss. I could remember that when they were pulling me from him, a little bit of chemical got into my lips. Few days later I was seriously sick, all my systems broke down. It was by special grace of God that I survived and I can still talk to you five years after his death.

Mrs. Nkoloneyi

What role did your children play at this point?

My children acted like my husband, especially Obinna, my first born. He took it upon himself that I didn’t miss their father too much. He is always around and most times I gist with him like my husband. I am close to all my children and they were all around me.

The reason is that I started having them when I was young at 22, they were all part of me; we grew together. In their term, they say, “Mummy we witness you grow.” Thought it’s not easy after my husband departed, the grace of God, my good friends, aunties and the priest in my church were all there for me. It’s very difficult to be alone in the house and most times I wake up in the night and cry ceaselessly. My husband’s departure pushed me into playing of games like scrabbles, and a lot of other games that you can think of.

Are you planning to remarry?

No I can’t marry, nobody can fill his space, and what do I want in a man again? When we built our house in the village, he showed me our resting place and I made sure that he was buried there; my space is beside his own.

What are some of the legacies that your husband left behind?

My husband, Paul Nkoloenyi, was a living legend. He was a very nice man; his legacies are there. This is a man that trained about 20 people from primary school up to university level. Even in his community, they cannot forget him. Since he departed, they have not been able to install an Igwe.

What is your take about the present administration?

It is a pity we found ourselves in this state in this country, people are blaming Buhari but he is not the one, sadly the previous government has cleaned the treasury. Nigeria is like a collapsed building. Before you can rebuild it, you must remove all the debris and it is going to take you a longer time before it could be fixed.

Mrs. Nkoloneyi

The situation now affects every business. Those of us in the luxury line are not finding things easy. It’s only when you eat well that you can think of buying cloths. These days, brides are no longer buy wedding gowns like before. These days, people are looking for gowns that they will rent. That is the situation of things, but we will continue to pray that God will help Buhari to rebuild the country.

What is your advice for young ladies who want to be entrepreneurs?

They should be more focused, determined and never take no for an answer. The truth is that resilience is the answer if you want to be successful as an entrepreneur. I started my business with my dining table but today we have our factory and we are still expanding. If you want to marry as a lady, please don’t depend on the man. You should be able to bring something to the table and not depend solely on your husband, that is when you will be respected.

How do you relax?

I like to pamper myself a lot in my house. I do electro, Jacuzzi and steam massage. I also have my gym and I do a lot of dancing as well as read a lot.

What is the secret of your beauty?

My beauty is the inner one, I have peace. I don’t worry myself about anything and the funniest thing is that I don’t have a beauty routine at all. I make sure I eat well, that’s all.

What is in your wardrobe that you can’t do without?

I love my caftan and my boubou because they hide some parts that I don’t want you to see. I also love my high heel shoes because it makes me elegant.

Which are your favourite designer shoes, bags and wristwatches?

These days, there are so many good designer labels out there but they may not be popular. I don’t go for big brand names because when you are carrying the label, you also find other ladies carry the same label, which is fake. So I go for quality bags and shoes, not labels.

Favourite brand car?

I love Mercedes Benz brands.

Which place is your favourite holiday place?

I love Ghana.

SOURCE:http://thenationonlineng.net/ngozi-nkolenyi-becomes-grandmother/

WAR IN ONDO APC AS GOV. AKEREDOLU BATTLE PARTY CHAIRMAN

Reason Why Governor And Kekemeke Don’t See-Eye-To-Eye

+Why Gov. Prefers Deputy To Party Chairman

Rotimi Akeredolu 

It has been 6 months that the All Progressive Congress (APC) won the governornorship election. It has also been 3 months that Arakunrin Odunayo Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Arakunrin-Keji Agboola Ajayi were sworn in as the 6th Executive Governor of Ondo State. But since then  things have not seem to be going on well between the State Party Chairman of APC, Dr Issac Kekemeke and his colleagues. This is evident in the fact that much has not been seen of the Party Chairman in most of the government functions aside his appearance at the swearing in ceremony at the stadium and his brief appearance at the dinner party. Reason for this is not known yet but findings revealed that the ongoing crisis between APC Party Chairman in Ondo and his absence at government functions might not be far from the role he played during the last governorship election in the state.

City People gathered that his Deputy Chairman, Engineer Ade Timilehin has been playing the role of acting chairman of their party since Arakunrin won his election in November 26th 2016 and he is even more recognised now than the Party Chairman as politicians lobby him for appointment.

Chairman of APC, Dr. Issac Kekemeke

HIS MANY SINS

It was learnt that, DI as he is fondly called never believed in the candidacy of Arakunrin Akeredolu becoming the next Governor of Ondo, so he never keyed into the vision of Aketi for governor project in 2016 rather he was working against him. It was gathered that during the primary election that produced Akeredolu as the APC party flagbearer for the 2016 governorship election, the Chairman was fully behind Olusegun Abraham, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s candidate, who lost the ticket to the incumbent governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. After the primary election, It was learnt that the chairman, who is close to the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu was engaging in anti-party antics, as he was working underground for AD according to a source and his body language also spoke volume in the last election. Even before the election, the state working committee across the state had suspended the Party Chairman and his Deputy was asked to act in the capacity because they don’t have confidence in his leadership as the Party Chairman. Even when they picked Deputy Governor, he wanted his Lagos candidate to be the deputy but it was zoned to South Senatorial District. During the last general election he worked against some aspirants of which the current SSG, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde a.k.a Abena was prevented from being the Senator. He is believed to have stepped on many toes in the party, who are today close pals to the governor. All these might be one of the few reasons Arakunrin Akeredolu decided to work with his Deputy, Engineer Ade Adetimilehim, who played prominent role during the last governorship election of Aketi for governor in 2012 and 2016 Ondo governorship election and he has since been representing the party at all state functions in and outside the state. Some of the recent functions, which were performed by Engineer Ade Adetimilehin includes accepting the 13, Ondo State House of Assembly Lawmakers who defected from PDP to APC, he also played active role in the appointment of the Caretaker Chairman and some of the board parastals appointment. Engineer Ade is believed to be more influential and powerful in the government of Akeredolu than his Chairman. While others simply feel Governor Akeredolu prefers to deal with Kekemeke through his Deputy Chairman others believe he is reaping what he sowed in the party through his behaviour since he became the Party Chairman. According to a close source who said It took over a month, and “serious” persuasion by his aides before Akeredolu visited Kekemeke after the heated governorship primaries at his Alagbaka residence. That was after Kekemeke boycotted the party secretariat having seen Akeredolu’s body language after he won the ticket. Kekemeke, however, has indirectly called the bluff of the governor by not showing up in public engagements where he was not invited.

MEET THE APC CHAIRMAN & HIS DEPUTY

Both the Chairman Barr. Isaac Kekemeke and his Deputy, Engineer Ade Adetimilehin are grassroot and experienced politicians as far as Ondo State politics is concerned. They have been in politics for more than two decades now. Barr Isaac Kekemeke hails from Arogbo town in Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo South Senatorial District was the pioneer NECO Chairman in Ondo State. He was the Commissioner for Works, Land and Housing, Secretary to Government and Attorney General of the state during late Agagu Administration. Before he left People Democratic Party (PDP) to join APC and within short period he became the APC Party Chairman. Engr Ade Adetimilehim served under the late Adebayo Adefarati as a Special Assistant, Adetimehin has skills in politics and political relations, his political acumen is wizardry and his followership is second to none. Adetimehin, who is currently the State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, was the brain behind Team Aketi. He respects Governor Akeredolu and is ready to sacrifice his political carrer for him, he is a native of Idanre in Ondo Central Senatorial District.

source: http://www.citypeopleonline.com/ondo-governor-party-chairman-war-gov-aketi-kekemeke-dont-see-eye-eye/

Barrier Breaker, Toroti Akin-Taylor launches book at 18

Author, Toroti Akin-Taylor

The Book Cover

Barrier Breaker, Toroti Akin-Taylor the talented, brilliant young man who defiled all odds to attain greatness despite all challenges he faced as a young boy, he is on top of his game.

Toroti launches is book, “BREAKING BARRIERS” to celebrate is eighteen years birthday.

He was raised by his adorable mother, Yetunde Akin-Taylor who loss her handsome husband during the pregnancy. Toroti was given birth to after thirteen years and five month of waiting upon the Lord for a child. Toroti in his book, “BREAKING BARRIERS” rolled out five key points. Your Mind.. Your Life, Your word.. Your Sword, Small Beginning.. Great Happening, Exploding your little and Keep Striking.. Keep Trying. Oil Magnate Tonye Cole was the chief launcher, while the book was reviewed by Mrs. Olakitan Olaleye the event was held at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Throne of Grace, Parish, Surulere, Lagos.     

L-R:  Assistant Pastor, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 44, Pastor Joseph Ekhator; Author’s Mother, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor; Author and Celebrator, Toroti Akin-Taylor; Pastor in Charge, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 44, Pastor, Amos Enovon; Chief launcher, Tonye Cole and book reviewer, Pastor Olakitan Olaleye at the book launch Breaking Barriers to celebrate Author’s 18^th Birthday at RCCG, Throne of Grace, Surulere, Lagos.

Chief launcher, Tonye Cole

Add caption

book reviewer, Pastor Olakitan Olaleye

 Toroti's Friends

Mother and Son, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor and Son, Toroti

Onome

L-R: Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor

The Young Vibrant Celebrator and Author, Toroti Akin-Taylor

The Young Vibrant Celebrator and Author, Toroti Akin-Taylor