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HOW ACTOR RICHARD MOFE-DAMIJO PAID FOR MY FIRST SHOP- MUDI AFRICA BOSS

Published

7 years ago

December 9, 2017

Dshowjournalist@gmail.com

Clement Mudiaga Enajemo, famously called Mudi, ranks among the top fashioner designers in Africa,

Over the years, the brains behind the soar-away brand, Mudi Africa, is known to be a trailblazer, which further goes to prove that his muse has never left him.

The multiple award winner has consciously been recreating and positioning his brand to meet international standards.

The Delta State- born fashion designer loves to express the dynamism in the African cultures through his avant-garde designs.

A man of supreme taste, every move he makes in the industry is ultimately intended to promote his brand and win the hearts of his far-flung customers.

Today, his head office is said to be the best purposely built fashion house in Africa. In this no hold barred interview, he told The Publisher of CITYSPY, SOFOWORA OLADAPO his challenges, aspiration, among others things.

EXCEPTS:

When you started did you ever envisaged you going to make it this big?
Cuts in… No. But I have that it’s possible feeling in me. Not that I will loom large, but I am just an optimistic person. In the year 2002, I went to Victoria Garden City, VGC, for the very first time to see a client and deliver his clothes, with my first car ‘First Lady’. When I entered VGC, I decided to drive round to have a feel of what the area looks like, but, it got to a stage that I had to park my car and take a look at the gigantic buildings. I said to myself in (Pidigin English) ‘Na person build these kind house?’. It flipped my mind that there is a big market untapped here.

People on this VGC axis would love to wear good clothes. So I said to myself, let me focus on these people, do their work well and am sure to make good money. The ‘It is possible’ mentality got me going it serves as a driving force. If you are gifted and you have passion for the work; then you must have the drive and discipline to scale through to the next level.

How was growing up like for you?

I am from a polygamous home. I grew up in Ughelli North, about 15minutes drive from Warri in Delta state. My family was of middle class. We were contented with our status then. We had trust and value for each other. My parents were loving and accommodating. My Dad had nine wives and my mother is the 4th wife. We are about 29 children all together.

Growing from a polygamous home, what’s your take about polygamy?

These days I won’t support polygamy. For the economy factor though, people now cut down one the numbers of kids they would have. One thing I learnt from my father is that, if there are four kids from different mother in the sitting room, he does not give us things in front of each other, to create a balance among the kids. My father was a strong man, who controlled the house with love and harmony.

At what point in your life did you discover your talent in fashion?

I discovered it as far back 1993. I came to Lagos in the year 1990, and I settled first in Ketu-Ikosi, close to Oshoffa of Celestial Church of Christ’s House. While I was there, I used to work in a factory close to SevenUp Bottling company with my uncle, where we have Daystar Church today.

At what point did you think moving down to Lagos was the next move for you?

When I left Delta State, I moved to Ilorin, Kwara state, My elder brother was working in Ilorin. I went there with the intention of staying and possibly gain admission into Kwara Polytechnic. Immediately I got to Ilorin, my brother lost his job in the year 1990. I migrated to Lagos via train and landed at Iddo Railway Terminal. There was no phone to call, but I had the address of my uncle residing in Lagos.

I moved to my senior cousin’s place in Pako close to Unilag. While I was in Pako, I got an employment and worked from 1991 till 1992 where I was earning 3,500 naira. Later in 1992, Five of us were retrenched because of the government Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was biting harder on the economy.

Has it ever been a time you thought of quitting the business?

During the period I was trying to raise the rent for the shop, I went to meet a senior friend of mine, whose house is behind my shop, to assist me for a small loan of 20,000, to buy materials to make ready-made clothes as samples for my customers. The guy called me and said; Mudi, this work is not good for you forget about it. He said he was going to introduce me to his friend who import clothes from Italy so he can give me clothes to sell for him so I can also make money by the side. I nearly cried, but I consoled myself. It was Richard Mofe Damijo that helped me out with the rent for my first shop.

You said Richard Mofe Damijo paid for your first shop rent, tell me, how did you meet him?

I met RMD the year 1995, when his late wife, Mae Mofe-Damijo was still running classic magazine and he was also running Mr Magazine. I went to see his wife’s younger sister, who was also into fashion, at the office of Classics magazine. As I was descending down the stairs, RMD and his late wife were going upstairs. RMD saw the way I was dressed, but didn’t say a word. The following day, I went to same office and RMD’s wife younger sibling told me that RMD asked who I was. She gave me her card and told me to go and meet RMD in his office. That’s how we connected till date.

The King of Morocco has visited your store, how do you feel to have gotten such recognition?

The king of Morocco’s visit was a touching one. On a Saturday evening, I got a call from Intercontinental hotel. The guy asked me that am I aware that the King of Morocco is in town, I said to myself how is that my business?. I thought it was one of those calls from some fraudsters. The guy told me the king was on a one week visit to Lagos and he will be visiting 4 places and my store was one of the places he was going to visit. I didn’t take him serious. The guy called me on Sunday evening, and asked for the time we open for operation, told him. On Monday morning I saw some advanced team.

They came with two Moroccan ladies and they rode in a government official car. They parked and looked around. An elderly Moroccan man, looked around, and shook my hand; and complementing me for having a good place. The king later arrived around four in the evening . He came with a massive entourage. The crowd was overwhelming. I took him round while He picked clothes of his choice. He left immediately and told me to deliver the clothes he ordered for in two days. And I did.

The lesson I derived from this is just simple, it shows that just do your work well, you would be located.

You are an established brand already in the fashion world. Are you thinking o delving into making fragrance and colognes?

You can’t rule that out, it’s possible. But I know God determines everything. As at when I acquired this office, I was not prepared to buy one. I was thinking I was going to acquire the building of my former office but God has a better plan. The money in my account was not even up to the amount the house was going to be sold for. I had 11.7 million naira in my account. I wasn’t prepared to buy a house.

It was divine favour. I was forced to open the account. GT Bank rescued me, my account with the bank was just six months old. One of the Executive Director of the bank is my client. He said before he can pay me, I must open a GTBank account. Reluctantly, I obliged by opening it. Immediately he pays the money into the account, I will transfer it to my Zenith Bank account. The zenith Bank I was loyal to did not even come to my rescue.

You love vintage and exotic cars, any reason for this?

Not that I love cars, it’s just that any car I come across happens to be a very unique car. I am not a car freak. The three cars I have are extremely unique. My car defines my style. So it reflects in my way of life.

Are you giving back to the society?

Yes I give back but not through an NGO. I like to do my stuffs quietly.

You have different flags of countries outside your office what does it signifies?

The Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa flags; signifies the countries where my branches are. With all sense of humility, I am the first Nigerian designer to have billboards in Nigeria and a TV commercial advert.

Give us five tips to success in the fashion business.

First of all, you must have the talent, you must be creative, you must have the drive, you must have the passion and must be discipline.

You have a massive collection of awards in your shelf, which one is most precious to you?

It was my first award. I got it from City People magazine in 2004.

If you are giving the opportunity to change something about yourself, what would that be?

I would say temper. I am very emotional. I know creative people are temperamental.

How do you relax?

I relax with my job. Each time I create a new designs I have this soothing feeling. It takes stress off me. I listen to pure African music. My favourite artiste is Sirleaf Keita, followed by other African artistes

How many African leaders have been to your office?

The King of Morocco and former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.

What is the future of Africa fashion?

There is a great future and prospect. Five years ago, people sell Ankara on the road, but now, people open up a massive shop to sell Ankara only. It shows that the value is increasing.

You have conquered the fashion world, what is the next level for MUDI??

I have not conquered the fashion world. It’s a work in progress. It’s a systematic development. I am still working. I have just made a mark and carved a niche for myself.

Uncategorized

Elated Polaris Bank Customer commends Bank for excellent customer service

Published

1 year ago

December 2, 2023

D'SHOW

Polaris Bank customer, Ife Michael, who recently aired her concerns on X (formerly Twitter) on a school fees transaction, has commended the Bank for resolving her Complaint swiftly as promised.

Ife Michael tweeting via her X handle @V_Ifemichael had called out the Bank for ‘seizing’ her funds as sent from a UK University where she had sought admission.

Polaris Bank reacted promptly to her Complaint and engaged her to explain the process and promised to resolve the issue which the Bank did swiftly.

An apparently elated Ife Michael went back to the micro blogging site to recount her experience with an update on her earlier thread of how the Bank swiftly resolved her Complainant.

The Bank, according to her update “responded and reached out to explain in details the guidelines underpinning FX transaction as it relates in particular to International payment.

In her tweet, Ife Michael expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank’s swift action and transparent communication. According to her, the Bank clarified that the situation was complex but assured her that the funds would be promptly refunded to the school. And Polaris Bank did exactly as it promised as it promptly refunded the money to Roehampton University and initiated necessary processes to streamline the refund.

The engagement began when Polaris Bank’s headquarters made the first contact at 11:48 am, and by 3:41 pm on the same day, Ife Michael confirmed that the Bank had successfully refunded the funds and

fulfilled all required procedures. The Bank also took the extra step of writing to the school to facilitate the process.

This positive outcome highlights Polaris Bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction, responsive and excellent customer service, and adherence to regulatory policies. The incident not only showcases effective conflict resolution but also underscores the power of a Bank fostering transparent communication between it and her customers.

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2022

D'SHOW

Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes held meetings with United at Carrington on Tuesday, but his position remains unchanged and he wants to play for a club in the Champions League and win major trophies. United do not want him to go, however, and Ronaldo has started training with the team having missed the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons.

His potential options elsewhere are limited. Chelsea are not an option anymore, while Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid appeared to publicly rule themselves out this week. “As we’ve seen on Instagram, Ronaldo has been keeping fit, so there are no concerns from Manchester United over his fitness or physical level; he’s one of the fittest players in world football.

“Ultimately, The Portuguese forward did state his desire to leave Old Trafford, but he’s running out of options, and it seems like he’s actually going to have to stay. Perhaps he will try and swing it where the 25 per cent pay cut in his contract will be waived away by United, perhaps he wants to manoeuvre and muscle a new deal, we’ll have to wait and see. But it doesn’t look like Stamford Bridge is on his cards.

“Chelsea have distanced themselves from a deal for Ronaldo, as have Bayern Munich, Napoli and a lot of other elite clubs that Jorge Mendes, who is Ronaldo’s agent, has tried to sell him to. “An offer from Saudi Arabia is astronomical but ultimately, it does not give Cristiano Ronaldo what he wants, which is that legacy. He wants to achieve Champions League records that he thinks no one else will be able to attain in the future.

“He wants to sign off at the absolute highest level. Now, it looks increasingly like he will have to stay at Manchester United because there are no biters from the big clubs.

“Everyone has their forwards already, and Chelsea, who are the only club looking like they could actually potentially be spun by what Cristiano Ronaldo offers off the pitch because we were told that Mendes, while being in front of these clubs, was putting forward his numbers in terms of social media influence, sponsorship that he rakes in, the commercial gain of his shirt sales and stuff like that. But even they now say he is not in their plans. Their immediate aim is to strengthen the defence.

“So, that leaves Ronaldo really with not many choices. We know that he does want to be competing at the highest level so if he does go to Saudi Arabia that cuts against everything he has said and everything we actually know about him and his career.

“Manchester United have always been very calm and very comfortable. They have insisted he is not for sale, and he will see out the last year of his contract. How they manoeuvre this now going forward we’ll see, but Ronaldo is keeping fit, so they have no issues or problems or fears over what state he’ll report back to pre-season in.”

CONVOCATION: GRACE NATION BIBLE INSTITUTE GRADUATES 120 STUDENTS

Published

3 years ago

April 4, 2022

D'SHOW

-you must remain a good Ambassador of Christ- Chris Okafor

No fewer than 120 certified Trained Prophetic students of Grace Nation Bible Institute graduated today after they have gone through rigorous prophetic training by the best Teachers Supervised by the anointed servant of God Dr. Chris Okafor. The student was presented with their certificates at the special convocation ceremony held at the International Headquarters of Grace Nation(GBI) in Ojodu Berger Lagos Nigeria. According to the Rector of the institute, they satisfy all requirements and conditions to be awarded a diploma certificate in various fields of Prophetic and Bibles knowledge.

In his words of Encouragement, the President of Grace Nation Bible Institute, Dr. Chris Okafor remarks that he has no doubt in his mind that all the students are well-trained judging by the level and capacity of all the resource Personality who lecture them, train and retraining them to face any challenges that come there ways,
The Apostle of altars also challenged them to be a good ambassador of the school to the outside world through soul-winning to the kingdom of God.

The Generational Prophet of God also remarked that as you have all learned, you must put the name of a school in good repute and always ready to work for the Lord at any time

Some of the course covered in the 8weeks program includes Evangelism and soul-winning, spiritual development and Human Management to mention but few

The highlight of the convocation was the Presentation of Certificates to all the students, according to the Rector all the students perform excellently well

Earlier in his sermon, the Senior Pastor Grace Nation and the Generational prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor teach on the series, ”The Covenant Day of Settlement” said settlement comes when you fulfill all the Principles of Settlement,
the man of God said nothing come free but when you applied the principles and follow it diligently you will easily get a settlement on all side

The realm of the Prophetic witnessed another higher dimension of Prophetic movement and deliverance through the Set Man, the Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor, He visited many family altars and set many captives free, he also delivered people with blood-line diseases while delivering miracle babies to expectant mothers

The service came to a close with a special Prayer for the Set Man, the Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor who will be making another birthday tomorrow, 4 April 2022.