AT 40, I AM STILL ON A JOURNEY - LAGOS STYLISH LADY, FUNMILOLA ONABAMIRO

In the next few days Funmilola Onabamiro will be celebrating her 40th birthday with her family, friends and loved ones. She is an accomplished business woman who has recorded a lot of successes in her line of business. She is beautiful and stylish too.

City People Magazine Publisher Seye Kehinde spoke to her a few days back on the story of her life at 40. Below are excerpts of the interview.

How do you feel at 40. Do you feel fulfilled?

God has been faithful and in all situations am always thankful I have lived a decent and ethical life and surrounded by Good people in the past 40 years. Am still on a journey and God has a purpose for me to take me to a destination he had planned for me. Am fulfilled that i have lived an ethical life

What is your state of mind right now as you prepare to celebrate your birthday

Am looking forward to my friends. Only those who have made impressions in my life. Those whom I genuinely loved and those who loved me

Take us back to growing up. Where were you born and which schools did u attend

I was born by a woman of value who is noted for Good conduct. My dad was a retired Pharmacist. She married her first cut and we made fun when people tell us a story of how my dad who was her 7 year senior at Comprehensive High School. Ayetoro got married someone she fancied secretly for years. 

My mum transformed from accounting profession to be a chartered banker and certified Pension Administrator. My dad was a pharmacist who worked with Ben Reubens Onasis and retired as the topmost civilian officer at the Nigerian Army before he died in the cuddling hands of mum after years of protracted illness. My mum lives in the United States she is a researcher on Good Governance having published a book on same.

Tell us about your mum and dad  How did they influence you?

My mum is my model. She is worth emulating and all her children are noted for good conduct. She taught me Accountancy subjects at home and I passed all my initial ICAN exams at 6 months interval and also the certified pensions institute exams.

 Your surname is illustrious in Yorubaland. Tell us about it

My grandfather  Prof Sanya Dojo Onabamiro was an erudite scholar the only child of his mum  from Ajibolas family in Ago Iwoye. My grandfather had many children amongst whom were Justice Dolapo Akinsanya. Prof Dupe Onadeko. Enitan Onabamiro Yemi and Ayo Onabamiro amongst many

My grandfather was noted for his invention of Tropocyclops prasinus shagamiensis Onabamiroid and a great politician and principal witness in the first treasonable felony history

My other grandparents where I grew up at Maryland Mende Ikeja. My mum’s side were extremely rich owning houses at Raji Apooyin street Mende Maryland. He taught my mum how to invest in properties and my mum took to his footsteps cracking us up by drafting house designs and supervising.

 What do you do?

My mum left a lot of businesses for me to manage when she relocated to the United States. I manage quite a few but Am on a study program. Invariably am a student because I love to have my Ph.D. in Social Sciences in the next few years.

What kind of a person is Funmilola Onabamiro?

Funlola is a happy and down to earth lady. She loves to be happy at all times

Blends with all manners of crème de la cream ladies in the social arena but influences them positively and a source of inspiration to many. Always conscious of the presence of God in all she does. Very hardworking. Am a very neat and clean person. I love fashion, loves dressing cute.

Which schools did u attend and what courses?

I got admitted for computer science at OAU for Computer Science with Maths but left due to many scary events and students unrests. My mum was too protective of us and were not allowed to do many things girls do. I left Ife and got admitted at Unilag for Sociology and was amongst the top 4 in my graduating class. I was studying Sociology and accountancy ICAN simultaneously missed first class by few points and came out with 2nd class upper. My mum was unhappy but compensated her by passing all my ICAN exam at a go, every 6 months diet but working at GLO was time demanding but interesting. I was more or less a daughter of the Chairman. Dr Mike Adenuga. I gave my best to Glo and now aspiring for the highest professional and academic qualification. No compromise on this as far as my mum who reads every day.

I remember with nostalgia how my mum registered my sister at the most expensive International primary school in Lagos owned by Princess Jegede. She withdrew us because she was not allowed to see my sister and I whenever she wanted. I stayed at home for a year where she gave me home lesson for my Primary school leaving exams in primary 4 at Dodan Barracks primary school. I had the best result. My other sisters are exemplary in their various profession and went to the best schools in the world. Ayoola studied at Cordon Blu while Abim was amongst the best in Harvard. Ayoberry is an economist turned to a Certified Ballon Award winner and she is a consultant and Trainer.

I have many friends who are celebrities. Business entrepreneurs as well and many Fashionista. Many of them lived with us when I was young and would never forget my carrot and stick mum. You will see some of them at the party.

Let's talk about your private life. Who are you dating?

 My personal life is my personal life. I like to keep my private life private.

There has been false publications about my love life which is my private affair. No one has seen me in a dirty situation but because they can only sell their magazines with dirty news. My family and I have considered court action if only to teach them a lesson of a lifetime.

So back to turning 40, I guess you are enjoying it.....

Oh yes. Its a good feeling.

I am on a life journey and God is my refuge and strength. I only look up to him... I thank him that am celebrating my birthday with only close friends of decades. It’s a dancing and fun party strictly by invitations

You are also one of those who have shown me tremendous love. 

Thank you