By Olabode Emmanuel Olawumi
2014 has been an amazing year for me, my team, my family and my friends. If you've been reading my articles lately, you'll notice I mention some names as often as I can. I hope I'm not beginning to bore you with it. It is just important that we appreciate those who make our life beautiful while we can and when they are still around to receive the accolades.
I've met interesting people this year. I've spent time with, worked with and built relationships with very amazing people. Without much ado, let me announce my 'Person of the Year', Mofolusade Sonaike.
Mofolusade Sonaike is my mentor. She is the CEO, Trezorlandia Limited, a company that packages and delivers gifts across the country. They also give advice on the best gifts to give to your loved ones, colleagues and clients for different occasions. She is often times referred to as Mumpreneur, which means - she is a mother and an entrepreneur. I wonder how she survives being a wonderful wife, a devoted mother, a business woman and the best gift to her family and friends.
What strikes me most about her is that she is always happy. Although she can cry her river when extreme situations arise, (dodges her slap) she is always on top of the matter. There was a time, I was forced to ask her if nothing ever bothers her. She blurted out 'shey I will now come and kill myself ni' (Will I kill myself?). If only most of us could be that strong when situations arise and refuse to make a case out of nothing, hardly will we be close to driving ourselves crazy. There was a situation last year when she had issues with a contract with a very big company. She was given an ultimatum to refund them within one week. The said amount was running to millions of Naira. An average person will throw tantrums, transfer aggression on everyone around them. But no, she's not that kind of person. She takes it slowly, steadily, calmly and trusts in God. During this period, we were going to Victoria Island to deliver a gift and I was carrying the cake. It was cream cake, you know how delicate this kind of cake is. Guess what happened? I dozed off, carrying the cake and it fell right before me - destroyed. We were heading towards third mainland brigade when this happened. I was scared to death and was deeply dejected. She was disappointed but she wasn't mad. I expected her to give me her piece of mind but she didn't. Although behind delivery schedule, she turned back, went to get another cake and continued with her delivery. She never talked about it afterwards. The most interesting thing is that she goes about her normal activities as if nothing happened. Surprisingly, things worked out for her with the company and the issue was resolved.
Mofolusade Sonaike is a woman that teaches you to fish rather than give you fish. She is the first to inform me about events, shows, competitions, meetings, conferences and organsiations, I should be part of. Through her, I've met people who have become my biggest clients.
While I was growing up, I used to say no one would ever understand me. Well, looks like I now have someone who does. Mofolusade Sonaike understands who Olabode Emmanuel is. She doesn't ask me questions I'm not ready to answer. She doesn't nag like the average African woman. She listens to me when she has the opportunity to. She gives me advise when I need them the most. She gives me the right platform to express my talents. God bless this woman for me.
There's still something you need to know. She's the most beautiful woman I know who's so talented, ambitious, lively, hospitable and a mother of two.
May your dreams come true boss.
Happy new year to you all.
Coke...Coffee...Dodo
