In her white flowing regalia, wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Wuraola Enitan Ogunwusi looks elegantly beautiful and charming as she talked about her dreams and aspirations to alleviate the suffering of orphans in South-west Nigeria. She also spoke about her lifestyle, her husband and other issues. Excerpts:

Olori, can you tell us why you’re passionate about orphans in the southwest?

Orphans are our collective responsibility. Anyone could have been an orphan. Where we are born and our parents are among decisions God makes for us. It’s not as if God actually intended for them to be born without parents! Someone brought them into this world—two people actually! It has always been God’s intention for the two people that gave birth to a child, to rear the child but when circumstances occur, some children become deprived of their parents. They’re then left to the sense of responsibility, compassion and milk of human kindness of a society, to nurture them and give them a sense of belonging and self-worth. God depends on us to do it. So, I had to step into the turf and do my own bit with the help of my husband and other supporters. So much needs to be done. If children under their parents can lack, imagine the plight of those without parents? I wish everyone would visit an orphanage once in a while. Even the smallest token from all of us can go a long way when put together.  

Does your upbringing have anything to do with it or is it the upbringing of any close pal of yours?

In so many ways, there is an element of my childhood that motivates me to help. You see, nostalgia is part of life. These are moments you smile secretly when you come across situations that elicit fond memories of your childhood. Then you think of these orphans, whatever childhood memories they have are beclouded by the reality that they’re orphans. Look, no matter how poor a person’s background, there is always pride in saying, “My father was this” and “My mother did that” and “My brother used to say that” or “I have an uncle or an aunt that was this and that!” The reason most orphans end up as miscreants is because they’re rejected. They were unloved and un-owned! To them, no one really cares! From that early age, they often know that their lives are precarious. That alone dims their will to struggle for their niche in society.

So, the core of my effort is to love them and share myself with them. To let them know that someone cares, because they are humans and deserve love as well. I’m motivated to let them know that I am always there for them to run to, to listen to them and to defend them just like any other parent. I am trying to let them know that they have a mother somewhere as well. They are not abandoned and they are not a burden on society. It’s my sincere hope and wish that we lay solid foundations for these children and they have a great future!

Our Give Back concert, for instance, will be the greatest gift to these children. They will take pictures that will last them a lifetime. For the rest of their lives, they’ll remember, “this was taken when Olori took us to see Tuface and Dare Art Alade”. They will remember. It will make all the difference. They will feel cherished and resolve not to “let someone down”—someone who hoped for and expected their success. I want to be that person. That’s how far a little thing can go. Yes, I want to give them a childhood worthy of nostalgia.

Can you elaborate on the concert?

Yes, the concert will take place at Eko Hotel on February 24th. February is the month of love; I want to make it an opportunity for giving love to these children. I am enlisting the support of anyone who wants to help. Please come; together we can do a lot. It will be a superlative and super exclusive event. The cream of Nigerian artistes will perform and top screen celebs have also been invited. Twenty orphanages selected from across western Nigeria will be involved. It’s a fundraiser too and the proceeds will be channeled back into refurbishing these orphanages, feeding the children, educational facilities and providing them better healthcare.

Can you share some memorable things you still cherish while growing up?

I have a lot of memories and I am constantly taking myself down memory lane. Most of it was beautiful times with my family. I have a closely knitted family that’s very liberal and independent. I have fond memories of my brothers and cousins as we all grew up; memories of the times we spent together as children.

Did you envisage that you would become wife to one of the powerful monarchs in Africa while growing up?

Every young woman has a right to dream and plan on the kind of husband she wants to marry but in the final analysis it’s God that makes everything happen.  I am not sure I did a lot of dreaming about a husband as a child. I also had my studies to think about at the time and definitely uncompromising parents to impress.

What has life taught you?

We learn every day; it is a continuous and never ending process. So far, I have learnt that there is a treasure in every life, discovering yours takes you to your greatest heights, enabling you to achieve your purpose. Helping someone else to discover theirs is the key to unlocking all blessings and favours! Only the few wise people know this and what you sow in someone else’s life is what you reap in abundance in your own life.

How does the Olori start her day and how does she unwind?

I start obviously by waking up, and then I give thanks to my creator and all my guardian spirits for waking me up and being my defense.  I meditate on the activities of the previous day, survey the current day’s activities and then make mental notes. Then I prepare for the day and of course this involves taking care of my husband and family.

As for unwinding, a good book is always a great companion as well as a fine pad and pen for scribbling when inspiration comes. They’re important.

 

You are fashionable; are you a designer freak?

I don’t know how you define that, I mean, being a “designer freak” I have discovered that there are tremendous talents among grassroots fashion designers in this country. I have discovered they can give you a great appearance leaving everyone wondering who they are. It also enables me to give visibility to these undiscovered talents.

What do you miss about life since your marriage to His Majesty?

Well, for one, anonymity is not my life anymore. Other than that, when one door closes, another opens. Whatever I can no longer do is compensated for by the things I can now do. I look forward to the future using what I learnt from past and present.

What were you doing before you became the queen?

I have done quite a lot of things in business. I was into buying and selling.  I remember mine was one of the best lingerie boutiques in Abuja, because I had seen a lingerie boutique in Rotterdam and I wanted to replicate it here. Besides, I have always been more in tune with real estate; from buying and selling homes in Dubai prior to the real estate meltdown to developing and selling, I went ahead to study interior designing because I love the whole idea of bringing an empty space alive and further went to study Architecture. Not long after I started practising, I got married to the Ooni. 

What attracted you to kabiyesi and what do you think attracted kabiyesi to you?

He is a sweet soul first before anything else and that would attract anyone to him. He is passionate about life and what he believes in and his love for mankind. He’s ready to give all to prove that. And as for what attracted him to me? The next time you have an interview with him please don’t forget to ask him. But above everything else, our marriage is beyond physical attraction. It was a marriage ordained by the divine for a greater purpose yet unseen.

 

What’s your message for Nigerian women?

The world is fast changing and women are being strongly recognized on a global scale. It is yet to be felt at the grassroots but this is the most opportune time to be a woman. It is no longer the way it used to be.

You have a voice now. First, acquire a skill, second start something, save money in a bank and approach any micro-credit institution. You will almost certainly get financial empowerment. We owe it to our children to make something out of our lives to give them a future. The times may be tough, but it’s a great opportunity for tough people to excel. God will strengthen you.