Everyone calls him Ozogula. But his real name is Bukola Olopade. He was until 6 years ago, the Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State under Ogun ex-Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. He is a big name in the Sporting community and he plays vital roles in that sector. Ozogula is a no nonsense guy, who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Though he always wears a disarming smile all the time, he is a tough nut to crack.
Don’t forget he is a lawyer. A few weeks back, gave his lovely wife turned 40 and he gave her a party, after which she told City People’s Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE, the story of her life and how OZOGULA fell in love with her the very first day he set his eyes on her. Her story is an interesting one. Below are excerpts of the interview with this lady who is a big events planner.
You recently turned 40. How does it make you feel?
I feel the same I just feel really blessed. God has been with me. He has done great things for me over the last 40 years. I am done great things for me over the last 40 years. I am alive, I am well. I have a great family. I am still the same jovial person. Still the same Yetunde basically. I just feel more blessed being 40.
What was your plan for your 40th birthday?
I thought I would just run away somewhere, go to an Island with my family, just to spend some time, have some fun on my birthday. But my husband had another thing coming. He said he needed to celebrate his wife. He needed to thank God for bringing us together. He decided to plan a big party. I was in London for about 3 months till basically about a week to my birthday. I just got in and got my dress. He had everything, planned and we had a very beautiful party.
How did you feel on the morning you turned 40?
I was very happy I am always happy anytime I hear about a party even if its not my party, I get excited over other peoples parties. So, the day of my party I was happy. When I got to the venue of the party it looked glorious. I danced. We had Praise and Worship, it was glorious. It was my friend, who planned my party. She owns Savvy Events.
Arinola. We’ve been friends for about 30 years. She got into events planning after I did. I have seen her do beautiful events, decorations. She will be 40 this year too. We are all going to be 40 this year, my husband said “call her and lets plan something before I travelled and we did. While in London she would call me to ask what do you think of colours. She will send me photographs. We were on the same page. I designed my IV myself. The only thing we changed were the balloons. I didn’t want baloons. She said balloons would be nice and I agreed. She did a good job. She delivered.
How was the last 40 years?
It’s been glorious. I have no reason to complain God has been faithful. I am truly blessed. I do not have anything to complain about. Nothing I have a beautiful daughter. I have a husband with a large heart, my parents, my siblings, my inlaws, my friends. It’s just been glorious.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up basically everywhere. I started from ASCON school in Badagry. My mum was the Chief Pharmacist then at ASCON meaning Administrative Staff College in Badagry. We were in the Staff school, from there I went on to Model College in Kankor, also in Badagry near Seme boarder. From there, I went to the University of Ado Ekiti. I studied Political Science. I tried to do my Master’s I did my Youth Service scheme with IGI. I was seconded to its sister company Monarch Communications. We built the Customer Relationship department.
From there, I went to another company, where we were importing security doors. I was the GM there and we were selling Security doors to all the banks. From there, I went on to do my own business. I started my events planning business, from ushering to events proper.
What made you go into events business? What was the attraction?
It’s just been me. Even in school, I used to do events. I was always the Centre point for friends. If friends needed to get together, they would call me. I would pick the venue, I would suggest the time. Its just me. Maybe I sort of discovered myself. I didn’t look up to anybody. I registered my company in 2003 I called it Gracebell That was when I started.
My first job was 10 years remembrance of the former Oba, Adeniji Adele. The children did that for him.
You are an events person. How do you see the changes that have taken place in the industry.
Its great. Its beyond comprehension. When we started at that time, I am not sure we were up to 10. I knew I met 2 persons then, Funke Bucknor and Modupe, the lady that started Wedding Planner. Basically I give credit to our society because as time evolves, parties were going on, people were getting lazy and you needed someone to sort things out for you. The girls at that time that I was building up as Ushers are today big events planners. It has now become a big business in Nigeria. I am happy I can be counted as one of the top event planners in society. It’s amazing.
At what stage is Gracebell, your events company?
We are doing much now. Events Planning takes much from you. I am a very detailed person. So those are the things that take me away from home because you have to be sure that your decorator is on point and that the others are doing the right things. Some times I stay overnight at the venue. Of course marriage and children have showed me down a bit. I am laying back a bit on the proper event planning. But my husband is into sports.
I am a director in his company. We are doing many things. We are doing Lagos City Marathon, 10 metres run for Delta, Now, I do things that would make me stay home more because of my child. It took me 9 years to get her by the way. So, I have to stay at home a bit for her. I am doing one or two events though, but not what would make me stay away from home.
How did you cope for the 9 years of waiting?
It wasn’t easy. It was in a waiting room I wasn’t really thinking about anything as my husband and my inlaws didn’t disturb me. Nobody gave me any hassle. They were all supportive. I was not in any bad mood. I wasn’t crying. But yes, I wanted to have children, but it wasn’t in a bad state for me because I had support from my family and inlaws, no issue at all. It was just prayers, be hopeful I knew it will happen.
When I didn’t know. And then it happened. My husband was very supportive through all the medicals. But it was something that was on mind that I know it needed to happen.
Let’s talk about your marriage to the man they call OZOGULA. How did it happen? How old is the marriage?
Ooh! Ozo, my dear husband. It will 10 years next year. He told our story at my birthday party. Many people didn’t believe how we met. But trust me it happened. It was this my event business that made me meet him. Because I was into events at that time, in 2006, they were doing Gateway Games and I went up to see him. He was the Commissioner for Sports in charge of the Gateway Games I designed some tee shirts, face caps, and some other things that I thought would be needed for the event.
Somebody introduced his ex-girlfriend to me, that she would take me to him. I told her and she linked me up to him. I did my presentation. He listened attentively. He said yes, we would need, this and that, but I am sorry I can’t give you the job. I was wondering I said oh, did I get the colours wrong.
Is my English not good enough what was the problem. He said I don’t know what it is, but I think I like you, I want to marry you. You would not believe me. He said it straightaway on the spot.
First day. And I got so upset. I got so irritated. I retorted that I was not one of those girls who come to pretend they want to do business when they came for other things. He even got me angrier when he said it would be nepotism, “how do I give my future wife a job, by the time I marry you, bla, bla, bla,” I stormed out of his office. But I forgot to take my card from him. He kept calling me for up to a year. He was calling and I was telling him leave me alone and I insulted him. About a year after we met again we began to talk.
Here we are about 10 years after. That is how it was.
What has kept the marriage going?
Hmmm! Love and Respect. My husband is a tough man. Many people see him differently. Over the years, I have learnt to be more patient because I was also really stubborn. But when I met my match, I had to relax. I calmed down. I think it’s been Love, its been respect, it’s been patience.
“Initially, it was tough because I was stubborn and he is tough too and it was like it was heading for the rocks. Now, we are friends.” He tells me everything. We talk about everything, we are friends. Everybody has helped us, my family, his family, his step children. They are all God sent. It’s a large family. We are 10 years now.
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