The Toha family is deep in joyous mood as the ‘queen’ of the house, Alhaja Balikis Adunni OyinlomoToha, hits the golden jubilee landmark of age. The revered Lagos family, known and well connected needs little or no introduction – they are business prodigies in Lagos Island.
Having being born by a successful business mogul, Alhaja Muinat Ajoke and having an elder sister Alhaja Modupeola Sukurat Shineshine, Adunni Oyinlomo is the brain behind `Adehoney and Sons in Balogun market is not a push over in bags and shoes business.
Her 50th birthday which kicked off on 15th of October was for her Turbaning as the Osupa Adinni of NADWAT while her birthday, 16th of October was the day she visited a motherless baby home in the heart of Lagos with her husband, Alhaji Oyinlomo Tohan and friends where she blessed the needy with foodstuff and huge cash.
The grand reception was 22nd of October where over 1000 friends, families and businesses associates gathered at the Monarch Event center to celebrate with her as fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal was on band stand to serenade the large guests.
The birthday Gal in an exclusive interview bare it all with CEO Event and Parties Naija, Abiola Orisile, Ahmed Shittu, Rasak Adejumo, Damilola Emmanuel and others on her humble beginning, how she started her life as an hairdresser among many other issues.
How happy are you to be 50?
(Smiles) Firstly, I’ll say Alhamdulillah, I give all adorations to almighty Allah, I am so happy to be 50 in good health and abundant blessings of Allah. This is because many are dead, many are on the hospital bed, and many are even on the street roaming about.
At 50, some doubting Thomas are still questioning my age because we went to government college together.
Let me make it clear here to those who doubt my age. For them to know, I was 3years old when my father died, there was no way my mum could take care of me alone, hence, she took me to my grandma where I started primary school at the age of 3.
Tragedy struck again when I got involved in a ghastly accident while I was in primary three at age eight. After spending 3 years in the hospital recuperating, I went back to school and re-started from primary 1 again. This incident however placed me behind my real school age mates. I, however, give thank to God today for giving me the huge grace to live.
Yes, I ought to be grateful and I am indeed a grateful soul, because I’d never thought I could be what I am today.
And talking about my mother, she is indeed a good mother, there couldn’t have a better one for. She is the perfect mother in all and I am very lucky to have her. I will be forever grateful for all she has done. Alhamdulillah
Which State are you from?
I am fromLagos State, Ajah to be precise. I was born in Mushin and left there to live in Ikorodu after my father’s death.
How was the journey?
It’s been a wonderful journey so far, despite all the challenges along the way. Through God’s endless mercy, I was able to surmount all forms of hurdles, this like I said was not by my might but through the abundant blessing of God. Also, when I left Government College, I lived with my sister who is popularly known as “Shine-Shine,” for a while before my mother later took me to a boarding school.
What happened after secondary school?
After the completion of my secondary school, I went to a Vocational School where I studied the Skills of Hair Making. I also went to Pearl Beauty Salon to learn the art of beauty.
Tell us how the journey of Oyinlomo Toha Ventures started?
Here is it, after I some incidents in Ikorodu, I later left the town and relocated to Lagos Island where I opened my second salon shop.
While I was doing well with this, one of my sisters advised me to open another shop and start selling cloths. I deliberated the cloth business idea with my mother who declined initially because there was no fund. But she later accepted which made me rented a shop at Ereko, in Lagos Island here.
Thereafter, I started travelling to Cotonou in Benin Republic to buy various cloths materials and designs, but the business was not doing well as expected. So, I went back to Island and started a new trade. It was at this period that I had my second child.
On the 8th day after I gave birth to Oyinlola my second child, one of my sister’s friends introduced selling of shoes to me. So, I went to Lagos on the 10th day after delivery and bought goods worth of fifteen thousand naira (N15,000). I took these goods to a spot by the road side where I sold them. I made the total sum of thirty thousand naira (N30,000) after painstaking efforts to make the sales.
After this milestone, yes, I will call a milestone because I was happy after all the efforts that produced the gains. So, this feat motivated me, hence, I added more funds and bought over 300 pairs of shoes to level up my trade. In order to concentrate more in my business, I went back to Ikorodu to pick my baby, relocated to Lagos and paid full attention to my trade.
There was also a time when my sister informed me about her friend who brought some goods from China and asked if I would be interested. Trust me, I hurriedly went to the place and instantly bought 50 dozens of the items while other traders were picking very few of them.
So, to the glory of God, with hard work, commitment and dedication, my business started growing and I was happy!
After a while, I made my first trip to London. I also went to Thailand on another business trip. These, couple with other relentless efforts and desire to achieve a lot, boosted my business line and since then, it has been from glory to glory.
What do you love most about your husband?
Hmmmm,my husband, I love a lot about him, so many things in mind to say about him but which only few words can expressed. He is someone to eternally admire, proud and brag about. (Smiles…) My husband is a man to always learn from, respect, listen and talk to, and above all, he is a treasure among husbands.
Saying my husband is supportive, loving and caring is an understatement. He was the one who rented my first shop at Idumota. He also selflessly helped me in building my first house.
My husband, Adisa, is the best man on earth. I can’t withstand someone fighting him and vice versa. He’s my best friend.
Is there something you do before that you can’t do again at 50?
(Laughs)No ooo…, for now I don’t think there’s any.
What do you have to say to your mother?
My mother? Mother of all mothers, all I can say about her is that she is best of all mothers. She trained us at Isale Eko to become children to be proud of. I can boldly say my mother deserves the best of rewards for a good mother. She’s always there for us, she is a mother and also a father. She is our all in all.
Iya mi Ajokeade, I can’t thank you enough but all I can say is that I owe you eternal gratitude. Modupe pupo l’owo yin maami.
My mother Ajokeade thank you I appreciate, you are the best.
What will you like to say about your siblings?
My sister, Ajoke Okin, I appreciate her so much. She’s always there for me, always supporting me. One of the memorable incidents I can never forget about my sister was, when she bought me a fowl cooked it for me when I wrote my G2 (Secondary School Entrance) exam. I pray she lives long to enjoy the fruit of her labour.
And also my brother, Ibrahim Ayinde Adesina, I will always thank him for being there for me all the time. He is such an amazing and caring brother.
My brother Akin and Paw-Paw Ismaila, we can fight, He was very brilliant in school, his now in London.
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My sister Awalnat Olakunbi, fine girl, she’s a Fashionista always dressing nice and cute. She’s in America with her Children.
Oladehinde Fire, may you always be happy for always making us happy.
I appreciate all my children, thank you all.
Appreciation to Friends
Alhaja Idera Nimotalahi thanks for your support, she’s always making things right and standing by me. God will be with you and your children.
Thanks to all my friends for always being there for me, I appreciate you all, Adunni, Idiat Aka, thank you, Salala Fatimo, Kaso, may you be happy always. I am so sorry I can’t mention you all here but you all know yourselves, I sincerely appreciate you all so much… THANK YOU ALL.
