•On Her Success Story With Real Talk With KIKE
Kikelomo Atanda-Owo is a beautiful lady who is doing well with her business. Her charismatic energy, voracious appetite for work and aptitude for seamless task execution is an uncommon trait. Beauty queens like her, don’t unduly sweat but leverage. Her Spartan work ethics is truly a study in determination to contribute.
She is an epitome of simplicity and Class. She is celestially endowed with a great figure which is amplified by her comely amber-jade complexion. But beneath this angelic exterior lies creativity and eclectic stamina for work fit for 4 men- the true origin of four-man!!
This character portrait is reminiscent of the qualities and beauty of ‘Helen of Troy’ for whom ancient empires went to war. For her the reward of hard work is more work and greater productivity…
Ms Atanda-Owo commenced her career as a journalist in the stable of Silver bird communications, then Nigerian Compass newspapers before ending up at TVC. At TVC, some of her most memorable moments was when she co-anchored the popular breakfast programme “Your View” once a week with the ‘Sisterhood’ of colourful and exciting ladies. Viewers were struck by her tactical bluntness, beauty and deep insight into issues.
Her journey in the Corporate world was launched with a stint with Kruss Atlantic. She was attached to the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) where she absorbed critical knowledge about finance, audit and revenue collection.
Next stop was as Vice President at the Peculiar People’s Management(PPM). She also made the project committee for the 7th Lagos Economic Summit aka EHINGBETI 2012 & 2013 respectively and actively participated in recalibrating and fine tuning the famous Lagos master plan.
She also worked at GTBank, NNPC, NAPIMS, FIRST BANK, NGO’s, and the Oil and Gas sector before settling down at MTN where for 5 years she was the Senior Programme Director for the MTN Football Scholar Programme and generated an impressive $7.5 million in revenue. Her revolutionary work on this project transformed many lives. Tens of athletes were getting placed in major Ivy League universities in the USA to study while also pursuing their sporting careers. This human angle gave her the greatest satisfaction. It also enables her to learn the secret of sports administration from the masters like Segun Odegbami, Erico, Tajudeen Disu and many other International coaches.
What a rich and diverse profile achieved while still in her early 40’s. Just part one of a much-storied life. ‘Part two’ kicks off with the iconic REALTALKWITHKIKE, is a live Radio programme with strong Social media component. It has however slowly morphed into a grand project.
It seeks to simplify the core of the sometimes complex socio-political and economic issues of our time into digestible bits and chunks for fuller understanding by all.
The programme has largely succeeded in this mission, hence it’s 7star rating measured in the increasingly deep and pristine quality of its ever-evolving cast of guest. This has invariably triggered unprecedented listenership levels, programme popularity and sky-bound ratings.
Furthermore, her social conscience also birthed a truly massive ‘give-away’ segment as a key component of the programme in which listeners that engage (including on social media) win exciting and creative items and packages.
Imagine TRIPS TO DUBAI for just calling into a programme or a weekend at the Eko Hotel And Suites for a couple for dropping a mere comment on INSTAGRAM!! Not forgetting Solid Employment Opportunities that abound and Samsung Mobile Phone give away.
The rich palliative packages during the Covid-19 Lockdown won by many was truly a life saver for some. Medical intervention packs also feature. Hers is a Peculiar platform for service to mankind.
No wonder her programme @ REALTALKWITHKIKE on Inspiration FM 92.5(Wednesday(s),5-5:45) pm and on YouTube channel remains the undisputed national champion in this exciting category of “Creative engagement” with communities.
Real-talk-with-kike recently clocked one year, as part of activities to celebrate the occasion; we gather another series of trips to Dubai are being planned. The Star attraction, however, is the availability of 6nos employment slots for qualified Engineers and others at a leading national airline- the iconic Air Peace Ltd!! Check the YouTube channel for poster and more details because ‘E fit be you or your person’…
Air Peace is a major partner. Other partners include Nigerian International Breweries-NIB Ltd (makers of Goldberg), Eko Hotel And Suites Addax Supermall, Samsung and still counting.
Via the grave vine, we also gathered that the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation is coming on board to partner for effective projection of it’s ambitious “Eliminate Malaria from Africa project and mission”. We pray for more of such meaningful collaborations and partnerships for societal impact.
A versatile marketing communications executive with a reputation for process and product innovations, Kike holds a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the Gabriel Igbinedion University and an MBA from the University of South wales. She relishes matrimony with 4 children. She was recently our guest on City People TV Instagram Live Chat. Below are excerpts from the chat.
How are you celebrating the first year of Real talk with Kike?
Interesting! First all, let me appreciate you for the invite. Real Talk is a radio show that is transmitted live online from Inspiration FM 92.3. Going back to the question a lot of people have been putting pressure on me to celebrate it, so, I think, I would just take a few people who are very close to me, those who have supported me from the beginning of Real talk with Kike, probably just hang out in a good restaurant, reflect and have fun.
What are the lessons you have learnt so far in doing all these?
I think being an entrepreneur has its own challenges. Of course, the experience started from media, Silverbird Organistion. That was where I started my media struggle, afterward, I joined Nigeria Compass and exploration into consulting at PPM.
Then my major achievement is the MTN Football Scholar, working on Eyingbeti, Lagos Under Babatunde Raji Fashola at the time when he was the Governor of Lagos State, and I held the major account of MTN and different government parastata, NNPC e.t.c, it’s really a challenge being a female entrepreneur, though it comes with its own advantages but I think being a contemporary OAP and business entrepreneur’s challenges are peculiar. On the business front, the challenges are the finance, expansion and execution of projects. In the media world the challenge is the entry and acceptance because resource facilitation could also be an issue, especially when there is a topic at hand and you are trying to look for the right person to be on board, to throw more light and talk authoritatively on the topic. Sometimes, acceptance and condemnation from the stakeholders in the media world could limit the extent of one’s exploration. A lot of people have said to me that, because of my background in the media and all the things I have done in the past is what has given the lift to be able to return to the same industry, But, it has been fair.
Let’s talk about Real talk with Kike, what is the idea and how far have you been able to achieve your set goal with that programme
I have ben able to achieve most of my goals with the help of God, people and the support system and of course my sponsors. I wouldn’t want to say it is God’s grace alone, there are people who have made that dream come to life and I cannot take their support for granted. And of course the team that has been working closely with me. It baffles people when I say I don’t have a producer for my show. I am the producer of my show. It’s a challenge but I have good hands working with me. And I think probably because I have passion for what I do I have been able to achieve my goals. I can not also forget my parents, when it comes to media it’s about contact and my dad has done a tremendous job. He has helped me a lot to reach out to so many people. Above all I would say it is God and the right people around me who understand my vision and passion and of course, my family support, one way or the other, they have been able to give me that balance.
Tell us about your dad?
His name is Oladunde Atanda Owo. He used to be the head of Eko International Bank at the time, it was existing. Afterwards, he relocated to the US, he is presently based in the U.S. He has many businesses advantages going for him. Talking about my dad, he is my best friend. He is the closest person to me.
My dad is the only person I know that I can go to without being judged; like dad, I just kissed a man he would say “it’s okay, it comes with your age”. He is such a dramatic father. I am from an afluent background, born by a socialite parents who valued A-Class education, especially my dad. I had luxuries in my growing up years. However, I have been able to separate myself with the luxury and set out a sort of personal exploit after my University years and this has earned my personal achievement and exploitation in various firm stations in media as earlier mentioned like AIT, Silverbird, Nigeria Compass before transitioning into Government Agencies including LIRS e.t.c. I have also worked closely with the likes of late Dr. Myles Muroe.
I facilitated all his speaking engagement in Nigeria; and many others. So, my dad is my rock. He is my best friend. My dad is my No 1, I want to come back to this world through my father.
How do you balance all your roles?
Sometimes, I really can’t explain how I am able to balance all. I don’t know maybe, it is me or my team or my family or my motherhood. I think God has been helping so far, of course being a mother of 3 beautiful children. It’s been a decade of financial commitment, time, dedication, scaling of preference and self-denial for children and it is also the same thing that can transition into your career because whether you like it or not you have to still put the scale of preference. Again, I cannot take away the fact that I have a good support system. I have a wonderful father.
How about your mum?
Of course, yes, my mum, she is good. We have our peculiar relationship. We actually didn’t grow up together but of course, she has played a major role in my life.
Is Kike married?
Of course, but it is complicated. We are having our challenges, but we are in a better place. It is a collective decision and we are managing it.
Let’s talk about your beauty, how have you been able to maintain it?
I think my beauty secrets are not far-fetched. My late mother-in-law 3 years ago bought me local soap from Ijebu-Igbo. So, the soap has been my natural skin moisturiser. But on a lighter note, I don’t eat much. I use Channel 5 cream, I use Bobby Brown oil and other products for my make-up. When it comes to how I develop my style, the credit goes to my late grandmother, Alhaja Abibat Atanda Owo. She always costumes me throughout my growing years with expensive costume gold jewelries and I think that was where my flare for gold came up.
My father also played an integral role in exposing me to luxurious items at young age. So, I would say it is about my background, it paved way and I have been able to take it further a little bit.
