I have always known i will be a musician-Mayor Wete

Award winning musician, Mayowa Ayomide Shobowale popularly known as Mayor Wete was is one of Nigerian talented artiste, his first official single Wete gained huge acceptance from it received massive airplay from different radio stations. In this interview with Yinka Lawal, Mayor who is currently signed to Dosage records shares how his career in Music started

How was your parent reaction when you started?

My parent really supported my musical career when i started, till this present moment my mum still gives me her full support.

 Which of your song brought you into Limelight?

Wete was the first song that brought into limelight 

Was there a time you felt like quitting music?

Yeah there was a time I thought of quitting music, that was  when the challenges were enormous and a little too much for me but I thank God for the words of encouragement from my fans and my parent, that I should not quit but stay strong... now its cool because we are everywhere like MTN network 

 What are the challenges you faced when you started as a musician?

I faced lot of challenges but we thank Jah that we are surmounting them

How were you able to surmount those challenges?

I carried on with the prayer from Iya mayowa,(laughs) that's my mum and of course, God's favor on me.

Some artistes said they knew from birth they were going to be musician,

When did it occur to you Mayor that you will be a musician?

It knew I am going to be a musician way back in primary school but took it professionally in the year 2000

How would you describe your kind of music?

It is called Afro pop 

 If Mayor Wete is not a musician, what would you have become?

If not music, may be a doctor or fashion designer

 If you are to change anything about Nigeria and entertainment world, what will it be?

To change music industry in Nigeria for the better, basically to create the structure that the industry lacks

 What are the other things people don't know about Mayor?

Nothing really...

 Who have you worked with?

I have worked with Ayuba, Sound sultan,  Mode 9,illbliss,One time Mr Nigeria, Solid star,Deji Bakare,,Represent from france,stone and Jesreel from Ireland,Toluwin,Debee,Seriki

 Who is Mayor Wete?

Mayor was born into a family of four, the only son and the second child from the family of Mr &Mrs Shobowale. My real name are Mayowa Ayomide shobowale,am from Ogun state, Sagamu Remo precisely.I love to mingle with good people with good heart and i hate when people lie.

 How did your journey as a musician started?

I started the journey so far from my home town Sagamu back in the year 1999 in my secondary school. Methodist comprehensive college Sagamu where i was the social prefect of my set 2003 I 2004. Lot of challenges but we thank God where we are today and where is still taking us to

Your most memorable childhood event?

Memorable childhood event? Do I really have? Can’t really remember any.

 What are you passionate about?

I am so passionate about music, it is my life and I derive so much happiness from it, and  I want to make my mum so proud of it someday.... and am working towards that.

At Kunle Afolayan book launch ,Auteuring Nollywood‎.

 

Thursday,27^th July 2014,the Muson Centre, Onikan witnessed  the presence of celebrities from different walks of life who came to celebrate with Ace Cinematographer, Movie director and Actor Kunle Afolayan who had a book presentation Auteuring Nollywood ;Critical perspective on the Figurine.

Present at the event were Honourable speaker House of Representatives Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi who was the Chairman of the day, Mr Tunde Ayeni who represented the DG of National Broadcasting Commission, Kwara state Governor represented by Chief Deji Oni ,Osun State Governor represented by Dr Ipaye, the Reviewer Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya who is the Director of Nollywood study Centre, Pan African University and host of others.

From the Entertainment sector Popular Cinematographer , Tunde Kelani, Yinka Akanbi, Tunji Sotimirin, Alli Baba, Julius Agwu, Peace Ayim Osigwe, Yomi Fash Lanso, Gabriel Afolayan, Kenny Saint Brown, Kabira Kafidipe, Ara,Adeola Ojo, Teju Baby face, Gbenga Adeyinka, Comedian  Princess et al.

The event was anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka the first, it started with a brief presentation made by Comedian, Teju Oyelakin popularly known as Teju Babyface, who welcomed all guest present. The chairman of the day,Chief Gbadamosi in his speech while addressing the audience said “my first encounter with Nollywood was “the usual Babalawo theme” until I saw October 1^st,i could not believe the maturity I saw, the movie will go places”. The thriller of Kunle’s due to be released movie, October 1^st was shown and Kunle’s Biography followed suit with the Movie Figurine narrated. The reviewer described the package of the book as nicely done, in his speech he added that  writer, Ngugi wa Thiongo described Kunle as an excellent actor. The unveiling of the book was done and various donations were made towards the launch of the book.

People’s Reaction

The king of Comedy, Alli baba spoke about the low turnout of Nollywood thespians present at the gathering. In his speech, he said “If it were to be a party Kunle was celebrating today, this place will be filled, i know lot of his colleague who will be happy to drink along with him but when it comes to matter like this, you won’t see them. Lot of people here will be disappointed that here today with what i am saying but in their mind they know it’s the truth. Nollywood should grow from showing movies that doesn’t add value to us”

The African Movie Academy Awards(AMAA)Boss, Ayim Peace Osigwe spoke on Kunle’s achievement, the challenges he faced during the shot of his last movie, about his movie Irapada which brought international recognition to the movie industry. I have seen Kunle’s film, I have seen him producing movies that are great, was a disappointed when his movie October 1^st could not be completed before (Amaa) this year because I want the movie to compete among other films.

From the Editor        

Am grateful to everyone who made it out here today, i dint know the book will go this far, just wanted something that will constitute a good start for Nollywood, thanks to Kunle for being convinced.

In an interview with Speaker, Lagos state House Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji

What is your position about the reading culture in Nigeria?

There is hardly any field in life that you will talk about becoming great that you won’t read, you don’t grow when you don’t read no matter what you call yourself ,through reading the mind get developed. We know we have lost the reading culture over time, Nigerian have thrown away the culture of reading, our children don’t read.

You watch Nollywood, what are your thoughts for Nollywood?

To be honest, am not a critique of Nollywood, we have two categories of Nollywood, we have the serious mind and the regularize people. The regular ones have polluted the mind of the public we have today and it is that unserious sector that is dominating. I do pray that the reverse should be the case in a short period of time. The only reason why am here is because I see the seriousness Kunle attached to his works.

What is the assembly doing towards reviving the reading culture in Nigeria?

I really cannot start reading that out now but we encourage schools. I have programmes that we do in our constituency that encourage the culture of reading in schools.

Kunle Afolayan.

What can you say about the overall turn out of the event?

It is more than I expected, grateful to people who make out time to be here.

What prompted you towards doing this?

The idea was my brothers’ and because it is good, I promise working on it. I have made a promise I will continue to make good films with or without the good standard of Nollywood. It is an avenue to students who have asked questions severally about the movie Figurine because they used it as their thesis in school, now whatever that has to be known or asked me about is in the book.

Julius Agwu

Kunle Afolayan will go places; this is the beginning of his career.

Koffi

Nollywood should make improvement towards a better movie production.

 

What you missed at the 5th Edition of Encomium Black and White Ball.

The annual Encomium magazine Black and White Ball(Season 5)which took place at the Rubies Garden, Lekki , Lagos last Sunday, witnessed different celebrities from walks of life. Popular comedian, Julius Agwu started the programme with the recitation of the second stanza of the National Anthem. Another comedian, De Don got the guests laughing with his rib cracking jokes which he titled Lecture on Cheating. After different awards were presented to the winners, Tunde Adewale popularly known as Tee A  also entertain the audience with jokes.

The wife of the Lagos state Governor, Dame Abimbola  Fashola ,Lanre Ogunlesi, Adeyemi ikuforiji, Senator  Florence Itagiwa, Deputy Governor Lagos state, Orelope Adefolure, Iyalode Adunni Bankole, Bisi Olatilo, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye, Pastor Ituah Ighodalor and wife; Ibidun Ighodalor, Paul Adams, Alli Baba, Dj Jimmy Jatt, Kunle Ayeni, Liz Anjorin, Ebube Nwangbo, Grace Amah, Bhiara Mcwizu, Rukky Sanda, Moyo Lawal, Ifeayin Okonkwo, Alex Ekubo, Frank Oshodi, Mudi, Slam, Baba Dee and host of others. The stage was set for another successful event.          

Honourable speaker, Lagos state house of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji received  the award of the Most Stylish man. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House won two “Elesho Totems” as the Most Stylish Man, 50s and Most Stylish Leader of the Faithful at the Elegance, Style and Substance Awards. His wife, Mrs. Ibidunni Ituah-Ighodalo got the award for All-time Beauty Queen.

First lady of Lagos state, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, as the Most Adorable First Lady, while Deputy Governor of Lagos, Hon. (Princess) Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire got the trophy for the Most Elegant Deputy Governor. The Governor  of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio represented by Commissioner of Works, Mr. Don Etim took home the award for Most Stylish Governor.Twice as Nice Boutique got the award for fasted growing brand. Popular designer Frank Osodi won the Best Occasions’ wear designer “House of Bunor”. Best Afrocentric designer goes to Mudi Africa (Mr. Mudiaga Enajemo). Most stylish entertainer to Chidi mokeme and Rita dominic got Most elegant entertainer and host of others.

Toyin Aimakhu came alone

Beautiful Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu came alone.The actress who recently signed an endorsement deal had always attended most event with her hubby. In the company of one of her students, she was looked all lost when she made an entrance into the decorated hall but looked attractive in her black and white attire. When she couldn’t see any recognized face, she sat at one of the seats but was later moved to another seat by the ushers.

Actor and model IK Ogbonna is in love.             

Popular actor and model IK Ogbonna stepped out with his gorgeous girlfriend, Sonia Moralez, who is Colombian, the two love birds were all over each other at the event. And IK is telling everyone that cares to listen that Sonia, a student at a Serbia & Montenegro university, is his last bus stop.

Julius Agwu’s political Ambition

The media has been agog now over the political aspiration of comedian, Julius Agwu , the Okombo master, who was the compere of the stylish event made the declaration again to those who were yet to hear it.

Moyo Lawal…

Delectable actress, Moyo Lawal was looking distinct in her black and white attire, she presented the award with Alex Ekubo to designer Frank Oshodi

Black and White Affair

The beautiful decorated hall was filled to the brim and as usual guest were in the dress code stated which was black or white.

 

I am very passionate about satisfying my clients-Uchubilo Amaka

Uchubilo Amaka is the C.E.O cakes by Havillah, the beautiful mother of three who has a degree in Lingusitic from Nnamdi Azikwe University,Awka and a Master degree in public and international affairs from the University of Lagos talks about her challenges in the course of cake making. In this Interview with Yinka Lawal, she talks about her plans towards making her cake making outfit one of the best brands.

How did your journey into Cake making) started?

I have always been baking all my life but delved into cake making professionally couple of years back. I have always had a strong passion to run an eatery which I had named "Macsyz cuisine" but did not get strong support from my family and friends as they thought it would pose a herculean task for me considering my kids are not so grown. The vision is not yet dead though (smiles)

 Give us an insight about you and educational background

My name is Uchubilo Amaka. Am the C.E.O "cakes by Havilah". I have a degree in Linguistics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and a Master's Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos.

Did you stumble into cake making or you have always had passion for it?

I had always baked cakes before I decided to professionally get trained at "Cakes by Daisy". I just loved to be involved in anything called food ranging from cooked to baked goods. And Cake making became a second option to running the eatery.

 What are the challenges you have faced in the course of this job?

(Laughs)Challenges make you stronger! Of course there were so many challenges but certainly they are surmountable. My first challenge was the fact that people always compared my prices to the likes of "cakes and cream". Distributing little samples of my cakes was the first step to convincing them. Finance can also pose a hindrance and this is because the art of cake making is a progressive journey. You see new designs and tools which you cannot do without if you would like to maintain relevance in the industry.

How were you able to surmount those challenges?

My instructor was able to instil in me the ability to make do with what I have and taught me tricks on improvising rather than looking out to buy every tool in the market.

 What are the pains and gains of your job?

The pains come with the challenges but the gains for me overshadow the gains. This is because the positive feedback I get from my clients has encouraged me tremendously. It has kept me going over the years

 Has there ever been a time you felt like quitting?

Never, not for a moment, I learnt from my instructor’s experience. It was discouraging at first but I was sure God would bless the works of my hands.

 What are the sacrifices you have made?

Sometimes you have to wake up very early to meet up with the delivery time and sometimes you have to work late too. At these times, I'm away from my kids and hubby so as not to be distracted.

 People get inspirations from different things, how do you get inspiration for your cake designs?

I get inspiration from everything especially the colours I see on peoples clothes. Cake making seems like an architectural course.....you just conceive a design in your mind and you bring it to fruition.

 Has marriage restricted you in doing some things in the course of your job?

Being self employed for me is more beneficial as I have time for my kids and hubby better than when I was doing a white collar job.

 How have you been able to combine being a mother, wife and your job?

It's not been too easy but be rest assured that there is a special grace on all women to function in these three spheres of life.

 What other things do you do aside cake making?

Cake making is time consuming so I face it squarely and hope to be a household name in the near future.

 What your take on women and career?                   

Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well so in whatever sphere you find yourself, it is pertinent to work hard, make an impact and maintain relevant.

 
What are your fulfilments?

The fact that I love what I do.

 What are the things you are passionate about?         
I am very passionate about satisfying my clients.......for me, good thinking must produce good products.

 What was your parent reaction when you started, did they give you full support?

My parents desire my progress so they support whatever that makes me happy.