Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has broken her silence after years away from the public eye, sharing her struggles and hard-earned lessons in a heartfelt press conference.
The event, organized by the Cardinal Foundation and led by Doja Allen, CEO of City 105.1 FM, took place on Wednesday in Ikeja, Lagos. It also featured notable attendees, including Azuka Ogujiuba of Mediaroomhub, OAP Ibukun Adeoye, and TVC MD Morayo Afolabi-Brown. The occasion marked Olajumoke’s official announcement of her return to the spotlight.
The Journey of Fame and Challenges
Olajumoke first gained nationwide recognition in 2016 after being discovered by renowned photographer TY Bello. She had accidentally walked into the background of a photoshoot featuring British rapper Tinie Tempah. TY Bello saw her potential and helped launch her career as a model.
Reflecting on her journey, Olajumoke admitted to making critical mistakes that strained her relationships with her benefactors, including Azuka Ogujiuba.
“I have suffered a lot,” she confessed. “But I thank Azuka and TY Bello for not giving up on me. My advice to those coming behind me is to work hard and never bite the finger that feeds them. I made many mistakes but have learned my lessons and hope others learn from my story.”
Betrayal and Financial Exploitation
Olajumoke shared how her decision to leave Azuka’s mentorship for a new manager, Victoria, led to financial mismanagement and exploitation. She recounted instances where Victoria controlled her earnings, often underpaying her despite lucrative modeling gigs.
“I want to be educated,” she said. “If I was educated, my former handler wouldn’t have taken advantage of me the way she did. I traveled to South Africa for Soweto Fashion Week and was paid well, but I didn’t know how much exactly. Victoria gave me only ₦200,000 and said I had to cover my accommodation and feeding expenses. On another trip, she gave me just ₦50,000. I didn’t know how much I was truly paid.”
Olajumoke revealed that after her two-year contract with Victoria ended, she tried to recover control of her Instagram account but faced resistance. With Azuka’s support, she has now taken steps to regain her footing.
A Call for Education
“If I had been educated, I wouldn’t have fallen victim to people taking advantage of me,” Olajumoke reflected. She urged parents to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing that education is a key tool for empowerment.
A Second Chance
After reconciling with Azuka, Olajumoke is seizing the opportunity to rebuild her career. Azuka shared her decision to forgive Olajumoke despite warnings from others.
“When she apologized, many advised me not to take her back, but she had already earned a place in my heart. Everyone makes mistakes,” Azuka said.
Olajumoke is now interning at City 105.1 FM and preparing to host her own show, Kílón Shéle, signaling a fresh start in her career.
From Bread Seller to Model
Born in 1989 in Osun State, Olajumoke began as a hairstylist before moving to Lagos to support her family by selling bread. Her life changed dramatically when she unknowingly appeared in the background of TY Bello’s photoshoot, leading to her discovery.
Through resilience and the support of her benefactors, Olajumoke is determined to write a new chapter in her inspiring story.
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