Lolo 1 recounts her biggest challenge

Popular OAP, Omotunde Adebowale David aka Lolo 1 needs no introduction. For years she has been serenading listeners with her voice on Wazobia FM. The indigene of Ogun State in this chat with Entertainer talksabout her career, life as a single mum and her ongoing divorce among other interesting issue.

HOW DID YOU COME INTO BROADCASTING AND HOW DID YOU GET THE NAME LOLO 1?

I am a lawyer by training. I got called to the Bar in 2001. I practiced Law for three years before I moved into broadcasting. I joined WAZOBIA FM nine years ago. I always knew Igbo was inside of me when I started working as an OAP. I told people to give me a name and I got a couple of messages and I decided to pick Lolo because I knew it made sense. 

YOU STUDIED LAW BUT NOW YOU ARE WORKING AS A PRESENTER. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOURSELF?

I have always been an entertainer right from my childhood days. I love TV and everything about the tube and of course, I knew I had a future there. Everything I have done in my life was just to propel me towards that dream. In secondary school I got an award as an impromptu speaker. When I got to the university though I studied Law I was interested in entertainment a lot. I was a member of the choir in a Christian community. When I wrote my project, it was on the rights of a performer. So after I practiced for a while, I just knew that this is what I want to do and I did my research and started hopping from media house to another until I went for a training at the Federal Radio Corporation Of Nigeria (FRCN) where I did basic presentation and got a job at Radio Nigeria almost instantly and here I am today.

AS A PRESENTER, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE ON AIR

Everyday is a challenge but a lot of people think it is easy. The moment you sit on that seat a lot of people expect you to be an encyclopedia. They expect you to know a little bit about everything. Some ask questions like ‘when is the next WAEC?’ What is happening in America? And you always have to give an intelligent answer. Sometimes we have hostile callers that just want you to be unhappy and most time you have to find a way to make everybody comfortable. Some people want a friend, some are looking for encouragement while others want you to be a mother figure. Even some see you as a lover and you have to throw yourself into all these rolls and satisfy everybody. So, it could be very tough sometimes. It means you have to continually read, listen, hear and be attentive.

 AS A MUSICIAN, ACTOR, COMEDIAN AND OAP, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THESE COMMITMENTS WITH YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

It is all about prioritizing. Women have the innate ability to multi-task. What I do is I set priorities. This morning I did TV presenting from 7 to 8:30am, took a break for an hour before I went for a radio show. And as women we want to achieve so much, don’t let anything hold you down. All you have to do is set priorities.

WHAT REALLY EXCITES YOU

I love it when I see my dreams coming to pass. It could be so exciting when things take shape; it is such a sweet feeling.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE PEOPLE THAT TEND TO BE ABUSIVE ONLINE

I tell people ‘don’t look at online people, they are children; just ignore them.’  ‘

What I just do is look and move on. If it bothers me so much I delete you and block you because the more you answer the more you are misunderstood. The truth is that some people out there are just crying out for attention. You don’t need to focus on them.

PRESENTLY YOU ARE DIVORCED AND A SINGLE MOM. HOW ARE YOU COPING?

I am not divorced yet  I am still in the process. We are in court already and it will be done in a few month. Being a single mom is one of the most challenging things I have ever faced and I am writing a book because a lot of people demonize single moms. There is no rule book that tells you this is how you should go about it, you learn as you grow older. You face a lot of challenges. What I do is focus on the important which is the up-bringing of my children. In my case, my kids’ father and I talk; we have a good relationship. But the only thing is that we don’t live in the same house and the kids relate well with both parents.

WOULD YOU GIVE MARRIAGE A SECOND SHOT?

I would love to be married again. I won’t tell you if I am waiting for it to come. I am just asking God to help me get through this. However, if I meet someone I consider good enough, that would understand me, of course, I will be willing to try again because marriage is a great institution.

Interview Credit: The SUN Newspapers

Sebastiane Ebatamehi

I am a Writer and Online Publicist, destined to give a voice to the silent echoes and hush whispers that are seldom heard

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