Mrs. Foluso Ogunjimi, an ex LTV newscaster, is the promoter of Alarede Professional School of Engager, a school where students are trained in the art of coordinating weddings. Having personally handled high profile engagements, she is now grooming people on how to do it. Recently, the school held their annual New Year party at her Oregun, Lagos office. YES INTERNATIONAL!’s GBENGA SHABA at the event and took her up on her job as well as all the intricacies…
What do you usually look out for at the beginning of every year?
We always look for greater joy. The kind of job we do is the type that brings joy into our hearts. we also add value to people’s homes. We look forward to more people getting married, we want more homes being established. On a personal note, I always look forward to getting deeper in the Lord, serving Him better and for my family attaining greater heights.
When you take stock at the beginning of the year and you realize there are still many unfulfilled targets, does it bother you?
As a human being, it does bother me. As a child of God and according to the Bible, “our prayers should be made with thanksgiving”. So, I always thank God for what He has done and what He is about to do.
Have you set targets for the New Year?
Well, I don’t set targets. I believe the Lord will give me more than what I ask for.
Does the economic downturn affect the kind of job you do?
Not really. Economic distress don’t affect our job. Wedding is the only ceremony that makes people spend their fortune, spend lavishly. For naming; the child is still young, for burial, the old man or woman is gone, but for weddings, you are fully involved. You experience it once. Marriage is once in a lifetime, so people go all out to spend their money to make the day memorable. So, the situation of the economy does not affect our job.
That means there are no low moments in your job?
Except during elections, when people will stay indoors. We get more jobs during Easter and the yuletide seasons. That notwithstanding, we go out for weddings every week.
In the course of doing your job, if you find out that the families are in disagreement over an issue, probably as it concerns who represents a deceased father or mother, how do you handle such scenario?
I don’t wait till the very day before I know those things. I have forms where I get all the information I need. I visit my clients at least once before the wedding. In the course of our interaction, they must have informed me if any of the parents has died or is alive and who will be representing that day or that the parents are separated. That is when I ask questions, then I give my opinion. I usually advice in the case of divorce that the parents should still sit for the day. You cant replace your father or mother unless if any of them is no more. If any of the parents is late, the step mother or the step father shouldn’t be the one to represent, except if the bride or the groom was raised by either of the step parents. In that case, there wont be any controversy. In the case of late parents, the younger person to the father or the mother should be the one to sit and that settles the case.
There is also another scenario where you go for a job and meet somebody else already contracted to do the “Alaga” job, how do you handle such?
The best way is for both to do a short meeting before the wedding, agree to do the job together, at least, for the sake of the couple.
Do you usually check on the couple after you must have completed your job?
I do. Our job begins before the wedding, during and after.
Why do you think some prefer low key weddings even though they have the wherewithal?
It depends on the individual. My own wedding, I told my husband I wanted it big. I love people around me. Left for him, he would prefer a wedding of 20 people. At the end, I won. However, I don’t support people who go borrowing to stage a lavish wedding for their children and then go bankrupt. If you can afford it, do it and if you can’t, go for a low key ceremony.
In the course of doing your job, have you noticed that some marriages don’t last despite the fact that they spend a lot. What have you observed in this regard?
The larger percentage of crashed marriages are from the children of the rich, because more than 50 percent of their marriages are match made. From the beginning, they have the picture of who their daughter or son should marry, the car they should ride, where they should live. At the end, they don’t allow the children to choose or pick who they love. They realize they are not compatible. If parents should allow their children make their choices, then we wouldn’t be having broken homes here and there.
Can you still recollect the job that fetched you the highest money?
I can’t recollect which has fetched me more money. Sometimes I go to a low key wedding and I make more money than when I attend the loud ones. What is important to me is the connections I make from such gatherings.
By virtue of your job, you will be consigned to buying clothes every week. How do you cope with that?
Bankers invest in suits, caterers invest in cutlery, plates and all that. As an “Alaga”, I invests more in clothes.
Then, how does your wardrobe look like?
I have a large wardrobe, but I do what I call weeding every six months. I don’t keep more than I need in my wardrobe. I give out every six months. I am not greedy. The same goes for my shoes. I don’t keep them unnecessarily. Once I have more than five wrist watches, I give it out.
Are you a lover of expensive jewelry?
No, I use jewelry because I have to. I am a Redeemer. We are told to dress moderately in my church. I use simple jewelry.
Where do you shop for your clothes?
I shop anywhere. If I am in Balogun market and I see beautiful things, I buy. Likewise, if I travel abroad, I don’t go for names or labels. I buy to please myself and not what people want. I don’t follow trends.
At over 50, you still look young and fit, what is the secret?
It is by the grace of God. Again, it is in my gene, my husband too contributes to that. I sleep till when I want. My husband gives me peace of mind.
Since you left the TV, do you miss being a presenter?
I am not missing it at all. I have enjoyed every bit of my broadcasting life.
Do you have the time to watch television at all?
Yes, I am an addict. My favourite programme is on Dove Television, Prayer with Daddy G.O. I also watch Nigerian movies. I listen to the radio when I am in the car.
Away from what many people know you for, how will you describe your personality?
I am the shy type, I love my family a lot, my children and my husband.
You already have grown up children, how soon should we expect their own weddings?
Very soon. We shall let you know. God has been gracious to me through weddings. I have done for people, so when it is my turn, I will roll out the drums.