Olajumoke Orisaguna – Nigeria’s Fairy Tale Model Risks Exploitation For Her New Found Fame

The story seem unreal to so many people, that a Lagos bread hawker (aka Omo Oni Bread), is now a modelling sensation, the new kid on the block and the talk of the town.

With a society that has endured so much pain and suffering from their corrupt and clueless leaders, then came the story of Olajumoke Orisaguna, her shock and unplanned rise to prominence is the the perfect story for a Holy…. or rather Nollywood box office drama.

As at the end of January till early February 2016, 27-year old Olajumoke, mother of two was still hawking bread for a living in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial heart beat, by making profits of the equivalent of $1 a day. If we quickly fast-track the turn of events in her life, she has now been catapaulted to a new level such that international news outlets like CNN, Buzzfeed and HuffPost have already featured her story. Within a span of 7 days she had featured on the cover of a leading style magazine in Nigeria, got signed up on a professional modelling contract and was signed up as the face of local bank Stanbic IBTC and as a brand ambassador by PayPorte, an online retail store. To cap it all, She has also been awarded a home and an educational schorlaships for her two kids.

Olajumoke’s life changed completely when she innocently walked into a photo shooting session for UK based artiste Tinie Tempah in Lagos by renowned Nigerian photographer, TY Bello.

 

TINIETEMPAH TEMPAH : DISTURBING LAGOS …. Oga Tinie.. Disturbing Lagos Keh ..? You sure ? my hand no dey o.. We no dey do that kine ruff play for here o. I’ve photographed so many international celebrities in this town.. From Beyonce to Arnold Schwarzenegger … I was looking through my archives the other day and said to my self .. Never again.. !Never in some fancy hotel room that could have been anywhere else on the planet . There’s no where like Lagos and If they ever cross my path again I’ll drag them out to where they can touch and feel My Lagos . .. And fall in love with it. So of course when I was asked to meet up with @tiniegram at his hotel I was like ..Lai-Lai!! Abeg bring the man to Yaba and let’s shoot this something ! I love lagos ..I won’t lie .. The streets are a literal Photographer’s paradise .. Every where you turn there’s a story waiting to be told .., textures waiting to be shot and characters waiting to be explored ..it’s hard for me to make a bad picture when my spirit is really open on the steets ..I can just stand there and magic walks into my frame . The beautiful bread seller in the red dress in one of my edits for instance ..You know her Abi?.. That one that every one on the street wants to marry .. She’s fine and she knows it. its all over how she walks and I know you’ve seen her before . She walked onto our set and magic happened ..it wasn’t planned at all ..I didn’t even know I nailed the narrative until I edited a few days later . Someone accused me of dragging @tiniegram on the streets ..That I should have taken him to somewhere ‘prettier ‘… My response : So you haven’t heard …?The street is where it’s happening o.. You haven’t seen pretty till you’ve seen the sun set in the quiet corners of Surulere ..You’re missing out on a unique love vibe if you haven’t taken her for a walk in railway compound..And if you only exist where freshly baked, steamy Agege bread is completely out of reach .. You may have to consider reorganizing it all.. I mean …What’s the point! #tybellophotography #photostories #thisdaystyle #tinietempah #lagos #yaba #steetlove #mrmattewsworshop #okunorentwins @thisdaystyle

A photo posted by TY Bello (@tybello) on Jan 31, 2016 at 10:22am PST

It didn’t take much time for the image to become viral on social media such that TY Bello had to track Olajumoke in a very busy Lagos city and offered her a platform to stardom and limelight.

Olajumoke, barely able to communicate in English, became an instant hit and was able to endear herself to a wide audience far beyond her wildest dreams.

Maybe her story can motivate and unlock the doors for the millions of raw talents scattered all over Nigeria and Africa. Maybe her story would pave the ways for the other forgotten talents and the ones that were yet to be discovered, to be able to archive their dreams in Nigeria, the land of almost eternal uncertainty.

OLAJUMOKE ORISAGUNA : THE BEGINNING I’ve asked my self over and again why all of this is happening . One thing is clear .. This woman here is no charity case .. We met her in the middle of her hustle … The woman works hard.. Seven days a week .. With a family to support .. But with dignity ..who pays that much attention to how she looks as she’s about to hawk bread … Arranging the bread so delicately like it was work much more .. Making sure she left the bakery while it was steamy and hot … Every body likes their bread hot . .. All of this even when it’s clear that her profit in a day is between N300-500 . This is the story of so many Nigerians .. The young house selling gala in traffic… The woman braiding hair under the bridge .. Nigerians work hard and we go it with style … This has taught us and I hope everyone reading to pay a little attention ., to those clearly working hard around us .. You may have your own wahala to deal with .. But nothing gives you a bigger break from your troubles than just making life easier for someone else .. Give an orange seller a N1000 note and she may be able to take the next day off to attend to herself and her children . Jumoke is sorted … I personally believe so with all the doors opening up for her but This story is more about the ‘jumokes’around you . Who put in all the work but just need a little push .You may not be able to help every one but as I learnt from someone I really respect … In your own unique way …. Do for the ONE what you would have liked to do for ALL. Jumoke ooo.. Wants to be a hairstylists but secretly nurses a fantasy to act in a Yoruba film one day .. I know she’ll be a nollywood hit .. She did great in front of my camera and understood how to work the tiniest emotional nuances .She may not speak much English but can read and write in Yoruba…@kunleafo can you hear!!! So here she is our #olajumoke she can now be contacted and booked with @fewmodels . She’s an amazing model . Wishing her all the best #makeupby @bimpeonakoya #zubbydefinition by @zubbydefinition #beautiful #lifemakeover #devine

A photo posted by TY Bello (@tybello) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:47am PST

 

One striking thing about Olajumoke’s story is that she never aspire to be a model, she was unaware of her talent and prospects – she only walk into the right place at the right time.

Olajumoke is living a life she didn’t dream of and she need a skillful manager that will help her in transitioning into the life of money and fame – in can be a difficult task.

Coincidentally, there are worries that her success story might be getting out of control with everybody looking to tap from her new found fame.

Olajumoke’s story is a feel-good tonic for the downtrodden, the hopeless, and all those that are trying to escape the vicious cycle of poverty – but the exploiters will always be there waiting at the corner.

Motivational speaker?! Please someone needs to rescue this girl from these leeches and the commercial debauchery. pic.twitter.com/ls0ZboCz9Y

— The Nick of Time (@nicholasibekwe) February 17, 2016