LOOK AT THE HEADLINE THEY USED LOL 

KEMI WILL BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF NIGERIA

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 At 48, my dad still gives me monthly allowance —Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo

• Written by  Toluwani Olamitoke
• Saturday, 19 January 2013 00:00

She is said  to be  vocal and daring, attributes she admits she  inherited  from her father.  Ms Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, a United States trained  pharmacist who also delved into public relations and journalism, is the daughter of a former governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo. In this interview with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE, she speaks on her childhood days, her activities and love life.
A peep into your growing up days?
I grew up in Ibadan. I attended St. Theresa’s College, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. my dad was lecturing in the Department of Mathematics,  University of Ibadan, so we lived on campus. Daddy was appointed as Commissioner for Local Government,  Education among other in Oyo State.  We lived on Sankore and  Aminu Way streets at UI.  He was an academic and public servant. He lectured on part time when appointed as commissioner.   I’m the second born and second daughter in my family. Life was fine, I had a nice family. Daddy spoilt us, but he spoilt me more. He was used to carrying me as a child, because I used to cry a lot.  I’m obviously a daddy’s girl. I fought with him most. Although I earn a living, but at 48, I still receive  allowance from daddy every month while he always  gave  my youngest child, age 12, allowance for a year.
Are there privileges  you  enjoy  as  daughter of a reknowed politician and  former  governor?
When I mention my dad’’s name, things get done. For example, the water pipe near our home had a fault. I introduced myself as Dr Olunloyo’s daughter and immediately  this was attended to. Now we not only have regular supply of water, but so do  the neighbourhood.  I actually make use of his name at the right time. I sometimes use it to harass if  there is someone or some people  doing something wrong. They will surely  be scared, but   it will get things done.

People see your dad differently. He is seen  as  vocal,  principled, conservative...
Actually, many feel I took after him. I’m viewed as aggressive, outspoken and often eccentric. I see dad as too tough and if he gets tougher, I fight him. He’s conservative and brash. He’s tough and he forgets I got that from him. When he fights me, I fight him back.

Can you tell us what you admire in him?
He’s a good mathematician. My elder sister, Yemi, had an F9 in Mathematics, but when my dad took over, that is took her through the syllabus when she was at Federal College Arts and Science, Lagos, she ended up with an A1. My son is not good in mathematics. I told my dad and he  asked  me to get a complete syllabus of mathematics, because he’s going to teach him. I’m naturally a mathematics genius. My grandmother is actually good in Mathematics and we inherited this from her. She’s still alive, and at 101, she  is still alert. I grew up with her. It’s was quite hectic going from U.I  to Molete, where my secondary school  is, so I used to  stay with her during the week.

As a commissioner’s daughter, didn’t you have a driver attached to you?
Sometimes the driver took me to  school, at some other times, I joined   the school bus or took a  taxi.

In what ways did your grandmother display aptitude  in mathematics?
She liked counting money. She was into beads making, so she was either counting beads or money and I usually helped her with it. At her age, she knows the numbers of pills she takes at different times and can differentiate  them with colours. all these have to do with mathematics. I love my grandmother and I’m the closest to her. I became a muslim when I was  staying with her, although I raised my children as Catholics.

You hardly talk about your mum. Can you tell us about her?
She’s Mrs Funmilayo  Olunloyo. Mum is a strong woman. She worked in the  civil service where she met daddy. She met daddy as a commissioner, I think in 1961 or 1962. She was working as a secretary in the office of the permanent secretary. People did not  recognise her as a first lady because she was there for only three months. As a governor’s wife, she did a lot of charity work at the motherless babies home. She was also a business woman and sold drinks. She left the work force after my brother’s disability. I admire the strength in her after taking care of a physically-challenged  child for so long. Mum is now 72 and dad, 79. She was 59 years old when she  lost her youngest son. She’s been through a lot, so I don’t want anyone bothering her. She’s  still carrying out her charity work.

The news doing the  rounds is that come next election, you are contesting for  a seat in the senate?
I wanted to go to the senate initially, but not any more. Now I want to get Ibadan.  Ibadan should be a state.  Ibadan is too big and this is not progressive. I’m joining the race to be a governor.  My focus  now is on the community at the  grassroots. I love moving about on okada or taxi. This gets me  closer to the people.

Do you  have  your dad’s support?
Daddy has been supportive. He advises me. As I said, daddy is supportive, it’s just that we are in two  different parties. I belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and my dad, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I belong to the PDP because that is where the lot of  Nigerian women is   advanced.  PDP is the party in which my daddy grew us upon.

You were in the United States for quite a while. Can you relate an experience you cherish while there?
I  remember while I was in Baltimore in 2003, I worked with the government in getting people  in   drugs off  the streets. It was tagged I Believe Programme. We did this in conjunction with the U.S Education department. I was aggressive about it. At the end of the day, I received awards from both  the  mayor  and  governor in  Maryland. I received the Baltimore Volunteer award of the year and state volunteer award. I was privileged to have a dinner with the governor and also  joined other award winners at the volunteers  award ceremony organised by the former  US president, Bill Clinton, and which  held at the White House. I represented Maryland. I also won  the African Entertainment award in Toronto. I was nicknamed  Efunsetan,  because some believe  I was too harsh, nasty and yappy due to my drive and commitment to giving people a  better life. And in recognition off my commitment, I was installed as Iyalode  of  America  by the Yoruba Association of Maryland, in the United States. this  group no more exists. what we have now is Ibadan Descendant of the United States. Giving chieftaincy titles is an in-thing  and the  order of the day there. Parties are held through the night and a goat is normally slaughtered to celebrate it.

How was the ceremony carried out?
I was dressed in a lace material and had  a large bead on my neck. A leaf  was tucked  under my headgear. Another experience was meeting and making friend with late Whitney Houston. We   met through my blog. I got a phone call from Bobby Brown who invited me   to cover their show at Atlanta. We met, hugged and took pictures. Then at the location where we met, she was smoking cigarettes.  I enjoyed my relationship with her. She was a nice person. She was real, I love her  voice when she’s talking, but she was high half the time and this kept her going. though it was believed  she had everything, but she was never happy. Whitney had started using drugs before meeting Bobby Brown. Unfortunately, her daughter is also into drugs. Whitney told me, I’m going to write and sing a song for you and she did. This is ‘A Song For You’ released in 2010. I can’t do without playing it.

Can you let us into your love life?
I got engaged at the age of 27 to one of the Iluyomades. I came to Nigeria and had a big engagement. I was to come back  to get married, but I cancelled it.

Why?
He was abusive and I was with his child then. I have had  a lot after him, some big names. Another  suitor actually  came after him, but I was not interested in him.

Can you tell us your reason?
They all want my father’s name and connection.
Are you saying your mind is made up  against marriage?
I would like a rich guy, and who would spoil me and he would get a  good package in return.
Is there something you don’t like about yourself?
I don’t like people getting me to be mean to have their attention.
Why wear a low cut?
My hair has never been long and at 48, its not growing longer. I wear wigs.

Your favourite television programme?
African magic (Yoruba channel).

What do you do at weekends?
I’m on Facebook the entire time. My Facebook page is: facebook.com/ibadancity.

Favourite attire?
Iro and buba and  long skirt and blouse.  I don’t like those American suits anymore.

Your hobby?
Cooking and  offering voluntary services.

Where would you like to spend your holidays?
Dubai, Germany and South Africa.  I discover these offer  quite different  life  and good food.