Last year, Pauline a correspondent of BBC in Nairobi, Kenya contacted me concerning plans for a show they were working on. I remember thinking, this was too good to be true.
Who is this person and what did she really want? 🤔
What is also interesting to note is, I was not responding to any messages at the time especially on Facebook because I just was not in the right mental capacity due to the effects of my pregnancy.
So for me to have seen the message and replied, it could have only been through divine intervention.
Moving forward, I did what I do best, prayed and waited patiently for Gods will to be done.
I had barely done any work last year due to reasons I mentioned in my pregnancy post here. So for this opportunity to have come at the time it did, it could have only been God.
Pauline reached out to me again in January and we exchanged numbers so we could talk easily. I remember I was so nervous the first time we spoke because I really did not know what to expect.
Needless to say, my nerves were unnecessary as she was the sweetest and the most professional lady. We chatted for more than 30 minutes like we were old friends and scheduled for a later date to speak more and to give me time to process everything.
The interview was initially planned to be conducted in my city, Kaduna but due to the Nigerian elections, Kaduna was a ‘high risk state’ and BBC would not allow them to travel to such places.
I had to go to Lagos.
It was really my only option, and I would have done it in a heartbeat without having to think it over, but I had to remember that I was now a mom (my baby was only 3months) and a wife so I needed my husbands permission.
It used to be so easy when I was single, when I got an opportunity, I would simply inform my parents and be off to wherever I needed to be but now clearly, things had definitely changed.
Don’t misunderstand me, I am certainly not complaining, I am only stating things as they are now.
Lagos Arrival
I arrived Lagos on the 4th of February and Gboyega (wonderful man) was assigned as my driver and came to pick me, my baby and my childminder (Olivia) up.
We arrived at 10am and got to our first shoot location by 12pm. Regina the skilful makeup artist (her Instagram profile is (@radiance_makeover) immediately got to work on my face and when I was done, I looked like I had just stepped out of a magazine . haha!
The crew arrived a few minutes later and everyone got acquainted. While they were setting up, I stepped out to dress up and take my hair out of its twists. It was the first time I was taking my hair down after my postpartum horror so I was really hoping my hair would come out right.
Thankfully it did and I took the opportunity to film it while also throwing in a length check. You can see it on YouTube below.
This experience was indeed different. The interview was completely laid back and I felt so comfortable that I took off my footwear.
DAY 2
We had to return to our first shoot location because we were not able to conclude the previous day. So I had to wear the same dress.
Once we were done, we moved to O’Naturals Salon.
Side-note– Lagos traffic can be very unforgiving. It took us 5 hours to move from where we were to our 2nd shoot location.
On this day, I was to be part of an engaging discussion with the following dynamites that are moulding the natural hair industry in Nigeria.
Omozo Ogunronbi (Founder of O’Naturals Salon), Atilola Moronfolu (Trichologist & Founder of African Naturalistas) and Asari Duke ( Tv Presenter).
We shared our experiences and learnt from one another about the dangers of chemicals and haircare practises amongst black women.
We also shared lots of laughs and enjoyed our glasses of grape juice. 😄 ( We did not want to get drunk while filming.)
On the whole, it was a stressful but very rewarding day and I am super grateful for everything.
The crew was just amazing and I would like to say a special thank you to every single one of them. Awa, Ini, Emeka, Sylvia, Pauline, Regina, Gboyega. I wished we all took a group photo but the stress of Lagos did not allow us. Maybe we will all meet someday again by the grace of God.
Here is the video and I hope you all enjoy watching. It is very informative and should be shared with every black woman out there on the dangers of chemicals, poor hair practices and the realities of alopecia.
