Koko is the pretty daughter of Senator, Florence Ita Giwa. Koko was one of the beautiful ladies who graced the 73rd birthday of Senator Florence Ita Giwa who just opened a new restaurant, Echoes of Calabar, in Victoria Island, Lagos.
She looked ravishingly beautiful in her choice of nude bandage dress with a pair black stiletto shoes. She was at the event with her husband of 5 years, Chimaobi Shawcross Obioha. She spoke glowingly about her mum to City People she revealed how her mum fulfilled her dream and the many things people don’t know about her. ‘’Ooh, I feel very excited because one of any mums pet projects has come to life. One of her hobbies outside Politics is food and hospitality and I am glad she has brought it forth and people can get to taste and feel real homemade Efik food in Lagos’’. She also expaciated on what to expect at Echoes of Calabar.
“The restaurant is not only for Efik food, we have Oriental and Intercontinental dishes, but it is primarily a Calabar kitchen, that is why she called it Echoes of Calabar. It is supposed to exude everything, from the culture, to the nature of Efik people. Efik cuisine is known to be excellent, a lot of people like it. When you hear Echoes of calabar, it embodies everything. Expect amazing food, we have international chefs here, entertainment is always on ground. We also have cultural troupes from cross river state. ’’. Her mum has a larger than life image, and many people love to associate with her. She has this to say about being her daughter, “I feel very privileged to be able to call myself her daughter. To be able to walk behind the steps of someone like her. To have someone like her as a guardian, a leader, a teacher and a motivator. It is an awesome privilege. I am very grateful for it’’. And on what people don’t know about her. My mum has an amazing sense of humor, there is never a dull moment with my mum. She knows how to crack people’s ribs. She finds a humorous side in almost everything she does.
As much as my mum is so bold and brave, she is very loving and can give out her eyes, she is very compassionate. She is a very disciplined person and never tolerates laziness. She believes women can achieve great things and so she never takes excuses for being lazy. She is very multitasking. Sometimes I wonder how she copes with all this braveness.”
Koko has been married for 5 years and it keeps waxing stronger with lovely children to show for it, she reminisces, ‘’I am very happy because I am married to my best friend. I am enjoying my marriage to the glory of God. We have been together for a long time. I married someone that I can grow with, communicate anything with. It has been good. God has blessed us so I really give him the glory’’. She was also asked whether she felt any background threat when she wanted to get married because sometimes affluent backgrounds scare some guys away? She said, No, because I knew that when I meet the right person, the person will not judge me for where I am from, or who my mum is or my background in particular, rather the person will get to know who I am which was what my husband did so why should I be scared. And what does Koko do for a living? “I own a beauty lounge in Lekki Phase 1. I studied International Relations and IInternational Development graduate for my first degree and masters. I decided to go the business way to pursue my passion which is hair and beauty’’.
Many people will love to take after their parents especially their mum and this was also not different in Koko’s case as she reveals the many things she will love to take after her mum, ‘’Her boldness, in terms of character, her tenacity, her perseverance, her braveness and boldness and all’’. She spoke on how she balances her home with business, ‘It is all about balance. You have to be organized. Whether you like it or not, you must force yourself to be organized if not it will tell on your family. So I manage and balance all together. then I have a husband that is very hands on too, and I have a good team both at home and at work. I have been able to train my staff to run the business in my absence as long as whenever I come, they deliver to me’’. You are very fashionable and stylish like your mum, any traces you took after her? ‘’Who will see my mum and not want to take after her in fashion and style? She is a style catalogue. She thought me to be fashionable. My mum has a great idea of routine in wellness, this were some of the traits I took after her’’. Just like her mother, she looked very elegant in her beautiful dress while her husband looked dapper in blue senators outfit. She made a beautiful statement with her outfit and many could not but give her a second look. Speaking about her mom on style, she said, “Mom was very glamorous. I remember Mom was very particular about everything, especially about how she looked. Up to her old age, she still maintained her elegance. She would make –up, paint her nails and powder her face. She never lets herself go…’Describing her mother’s style, Koko says, My mother is very stylish and elegant, she is particular about everything she does. Sometimes I marvel at the efforts she puts into making sure that everything is done right”. I am proud of my mother. Her beauty and elegance are an inspiration to me. I want her to know I love her so much and wish her well as she adds another year’’. She is indeed a chip off her mother’s shoulders and without a doubt, Koko is following the family tradition of fashion and style.
Kokoeka Florence Mayen is in her late 20s and she bagged her first degree in International Relations and Masters in International Development all in the United Kingdom. An entrepreneur, Koko has a hair accessory outfit in Lekki, Lagos. She and her husband, Chimaobi were an item for many years before they got married 5 years ago. Chimaobi Shawcross Obioha Jnr is a businessman. He also schooled in the UK. Chimaobi holds a Masters degree in International Business, from The Coventry University, England. He is one of the sons of late business mogul, Chief Godwin Moore Obioha.
–TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI
