Reveals Her Friendship With Her 2 Friends
Mopelola Savage, Oyinlomo Danmole and Folashade Adesoye are 3 celebrity friends who other celebrities admire for their closeness. They have been friends for over 40 years. So close are they that K1 always sings their praise.
They are also very close to K1 and have been K1’s fans for over 40 years. Even K1 sang their praise “Sebi Emi Lo Lore Mi Adunni”. They sometimes step out together and always watch each others back.
Few days ago, Mufuti Savage’s hubby, Alhaji Ajadi Savage, turned 60 and Folasade and Oyinlomo were early callers. They came with their friends. How did they become friends? What has brought them this far? City People Assistant Society Editor, Abiola Orisile, spoke with Mufuti Savage on what has sustained their friendship. Enjoy.
How do you feel seeing your husband turn 60?
I am so excited to see my husband turn 60 and I thank God for his life.
How long have you known each other?
We have been together for over 40 years. We have known each other since 1976. We met at Oko-Awo. I had a friend then at Oko-Awo, whom I went to greet. Her boyfriend too used to stay around “Oko-Awo by Pedro. I was in secondary school and he had completed his secondary education then and was at Yaba Training College. It was love at first sight. We became friends and he made sure I finished secondary school before we started dating.
I went to Aunty Ayo Secondary School. I later left Aunty Ayo when my friend left Lagos for Abeokuta to school. I joined her at Nawar-Ud-Deen Secondary School. We were so close. They got married after being friends and we got married too.
It was then that we started our relationship and we have been married for over 40 years.
What is the secret of your over 40 years of marriage?
Patience is the key. There is no marriage that is perfect. Endurance is also key in any marriage.
You are a socialite and so is your husband, what do you do when you are told that they saw your husband?
I stay calm. I am also fortunate that I don’t talk around. I have a small circle of friends. So, those who came to me when I was younger saw that I always stayed calm. When they saw that I was calm, they stopped telling me. I couldn’t fight my husband because of that. We have even outgrown that now.
Love and friendship have made us stay in our marriage. Nobody is a mediator when we fight, but when we were growing up, only Folasade Adesoye always served as a mediator.
You and Folasade Adesoye seems to be very close, how long have you been friends?
We have been friends from when we were much younger. We were friends from when we were both single. We met when she just came back from London. We met at K1’s party and she was dancing to K1’s music. I remember I said who are you calling little children, are they not your mate? And one thing led to another and we became friends.
How have you been able to keep your friendship of over 40 years?
Sade is a very wonderful person. She is a very wonderful person, who knows me inside out. She knows when I am angry and tolerates me a lot. When I am angry or when I have an issue with my husband, she will say “Mufuti Kilose e”. Are you a witch? (Lol). My heart would just literally melt immediately. There is no way you can be Folashade’s friend and you would not treat your husband or your friends like a King. She will advise you to be a good and calm person. We have a lot in common because I am also highly accommodating.
How did you meet Oyinlomo Danmole?
I will say my relationship with Oyinlomo Danmole dates back to many years ago when we were both younger. We grew up together in “Oko Awo”.
What do you like about Hajia Oyinlomo?
She is nice, sweet and fun to be with. She jokes a lot and she would always make you smile.
You run the same business with your husband, how easy has it been?
Well, it was not deliberate, when I finished secondary school, I wanted to go to university to read medicine, but my mum who was a top gold merchant and a fabric merchant, said ‘no’. I am the last child and I have 3 elder sisters and elder brother. I told her my elder sisters are working, but she said ‘no’. She gave me money and I went to Austria. She gave us 6,000 dollars (my sister and I). We made 12,000 dollars and she took her 6,000 dollars and my sister and I shared the balance 3,000 dollars each.
So, I started fabric business with 3000 dollars in 1979. It was a huge money and dollar was 68 naira. My husband saw that I was not interested and he asked if he could put his own money. He was already a graduate of Yaba Tech. He saw that all I wanted to do was to be a Medical Doctor.
So, that was how we floated our fabrics business in 1979. He always travels when I don’t feel like travelling.
How did you get the name “Morning Star Fabric”?
I was at Ereko market with my mum before we relocated to Mosalasi Jimoh. So, I said which name do I give this brand and he said, “Morning Star”. So the success of the business should be attributed to my husband. He made that brand. He has been selling fabrics for over 40 years too.
How do you feel seeing how big Morning Star Fabrics is now?
Well, I give God the glory and I appreciate my mum even after her demise. I appreciate her a lot. My mum was so rich. I had a very wonderful upbringing. My mum was so hardworking. She was always travelling and we were always at boarding house. I had an amazing upbringing, though I spent my time with my siblings at boarding house at Ayetoro. But, I appreciate my mum, she built a legacy which was making sure we were well trained.
What has brought you this far?
God and hard work.
What is your advice for those who see the 3 Adunnis at parties and want to be like them?
They must work hard, they must work so hard. We worked hard to make a name for ourselves. They should also not forget that the economy of this country is poor. It may be hard, but they should not lose hope.
Was there a time you felt like quitting fabric business?
No time. My husband and I built the fabric empire so he was always there encouraging me. He always said even if you become a doctor, you would still need money.
Do you have your kids taking after you in business?
No, they are all highly educated. They stay in the United Kingdom.
You seem to love education a lot
Yes, and this is because I am a very brilliant person. I always come first from my primary to secondary schools.
What do you call your husband?
Darling and he calls me baby. We have been calling each other those names for over 20 years. (Laughs).
