Friday 27 July 2012

I didn’t Love My Husband At First- Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde



 Anytime Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde speaks about her husband, her face lights up in a smile.

And then, no question about the sort of relationship they both share is complete without the shapely actress saying, “If I had not married him, I would not have married anyone else.”
And this is quite understandable, as their union of 16 years has weathered the storm and is one of the few in the industry that is scandal free.
Surprisingly, the actress says scandals are expected when an individual is famous. As such, they add up in making her life story more interesting. She adds that she is not bothered because her husband is very understanding.
“It would have been extremely painful if my husband takes things to heart, then it would have been a roller coaster ride for me and then I have to go through the problem again and again. God has been great you know, ‘the guy no get wahala,” She quips.
As a veteran in the marriage business, Omosexy, as the actress is fondly called reveals that the love was not instantaneous. “I always tell people that when I met him. I was not in love with him but he says for him it was love at first sight so I had to grow to love him. I was attracted to him because of his maturity. I saw the ability for him to see me. I mean, he knows me more than I know myself. It is just weird I can’t explain. You just can’t get it. But he feels my pain, it is easy for him.
When their paths first crossed, a young Omotola had just lost her father; hence the emotional trauma she was experiencing at that time was overwhelming.
Then her husband showed up with a ray of hope and then she fell for his charming nature. “In those days I was young so there were ways I particularly handle things that were immature so I would snap very fast because I was short-tempered. So many people will think I was very difficult even my mother. But he would tell her to leave me alone. Even then, my mother will say ‘you will not marry, there is no one that will marry you,’’ She says with a smile.
Describing her husband as her love ‘therapist’, Ekeinde attributes her spiritual growth to her husband. “I have even gone closer to Christ because of his exemplary behavior and the way he handles things. With the maturity I find in him, I can admire that and then emulate him. That is the connection and the way I have been able to live with him.”

Asked if she considers herself a doting mother to her four children, the actress lets out a gale of laughter, saying , “In my own mind yes. In fact my kids think I am their situation too much. So I am thinking that if I was around, they would have run away from the house. I feel I am a very hands on mum in fact I just got back from Ghana and they were telling me that I am always on the phone with them. Even though my husband is always around, I know what they are doing every minute. I think I am a bit too strict with them maybe because I am taking taking after my mother. She was a disciplinarian to the core.

Monday 9 July 2012

STEVE BABAEKO LEAVES 141 WORLDWIDE TO SET UP OWN AGENCY X3M IDEAS



Steve Babaeko, Nigeria’s most celebrated creative director, has left his position as the Business/Creative director at 141 Worldwide to set up his own advertising agency X3M Ideas.
Babaeko, writer, business development enthusiast, consumer behavior analyst, brand development expert and multi-platform media influencer, joined 141 Worldwide on inception in 2005, after a five year stint at Prima Garnet Ogilvy. His advertising career spans nearly two decades, starting off at MC&A Saatchi & Saatchi, from where he moved to Prima Garnet Ogilvy and later 141.
While at 141, he led a team of result-oriented professionals, working on several award-winning campaigns for brands like Tom Tom, Etisalat, British American Tobacco, First Bank and Multichoice.
Babaeko is an associate registered member of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).
Now, Babaeko, 41, sets up his own business – X3M Ideas - a Lagos-based full service plus digital advertising agency which will have a global presence and impact, through its barrier-breaking and record-setting campaigns.

‘At X3M we will combine our excellent understanding of traditional media habits and practices, with a clear knowledge – and appreciation- of new media, working with our clients to best deliver witty, creative, and above all, honest and believable communications, using today’s media ecosystem,’ Babaeko says.
According to Babaeko, ‘the advertising industry is at a critical stage, and the world is looking to places like Nigeria, where young, driven and promising professionals and agencies are emerging, for the ideas and innovations that’ll determine the future. I’m willing and ready to play my part, and I’m happy to have a dedicated team ready to go with me on this marathon’.




Steve Babaeko with wife Yetunde and sons Louis and Lamar