" I’d thought I will be a dancer" - TOKE MAKINWA.

You are a woman of many parts. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

God. Prayer has been what has been able to give me balance in this industry.

When you go on red carpet and all eyes are on you, how do you feel?

I don’t see every eyes, I just see where I am going. I feel it is humbling that people see a skirt or top on you that they love and want to wear same. I love fashion, I breathe fashion and I eat fashion. If the public see that I am fashionable I would say thank you for that. I’m not the type that shies away from the camera or back down on a challenge and that’s why the Nigerian viewers love me.

Do you have a stylist who picks out your clothes and accessories for social events?

I have a couple of stylists actually and I have become friends with a number of Nigerian designers as well. It’s okay to have a stylist but I would advice everyone to have a personal relationship with designers too. I’d have to give it to them, Nigerian designers work really hard but sometimes the stylist who puts clothes together gets more recognition than the designer. I use Tianah’s Place, Lucy Love, Bolaji Animashaun and the designers that over the years I’ve become good friends with- April by Kunbi, I really love her; Phunk Afrique, Moofa.

It seems you love to always attend events. Why?

Attending events is part of work as well. I do get paid to attend some events. When you grow a brand and it becomes a solid brand, people will want to associate with that and if they have some products or services that they have that would align with your brand; they invite you to be part of it. Just like people feel like your been at certain events might also add some glamour to it. I see it as work as well. I really don’t go out like that, in terms of having fun or chilling at home. I think I enjoy the fact that it’s a job and I am getting paid for it. I am the life of a party and that hasn’t changed. I love talking, I love to go out to listen to music and have a good time.

How do you define style?

Comfort and chic. What is chic to you may be different from mine. But comfort I will say. I like what I feel comfortable in, what makes me feel young, what interprets who I am.

Share your beauty secrets with us?

I don’t sleep with my make-up. I exfoliate my skin once in three weeks. No matter how busy you are, try and take a lot of water. I stopped taking frizzy drinks. I have been taking water.

How and when did you get on to radio?

In 1999. Cool Fm had just opened and there was this teenage program that showcased the life of teenagers and topics that interest them like sex education, being good at home, being good in school and it was broadcast every saturday morning. It was short lived because my parents didn’t think it was a career then, they didn’t even think it was cool being on radio. I got the job and I didn’t tell anyone at home. My mum was driving in the car one day, and she heard my voice on radio, and that was it. She didn’t even let me resign formally, because she didn’t allow me go back there. I just stopped. Sometimes ,I wonder how I was on the radio for four months without my mum hearing of it. But, one fateful day, she heard and that was the last time, I ever went into the studio of Cool FM. So, how has the journey been?

It has been a great journey, and many doors have opened. I pray it does not end here.

Would you say you are fulfilled in your career?

Absolutely, to think about the gains or what it has to offer. The first thing is you must love what you do. You must see it as something you cannot live without. The fulfillment has to come from you chasing that dream.

If not a broadcaster, what would you have been?

I would have been a dancer. I thought I was going to dance for Shina Peters. It was one of my childhood dreams, while growing up. So, when we were in primary school and they asked what you want to be, I would then say a dancer.

Who influenced you while growing up and what lessons life taught you?

Growing up was fun-tastic as I like to say .I can remember all that I have been through in life. Moments that changed one’s life and wonderful moments with my family. And the main lesson is that there is no impossibility with God.

How do you feel being the ambassador of Payporte.com?

It feels really good. I shot the TVC commercial last year before the brand ambassador thing came up. I usually like to work with new brands. If it is a big brand that is already known, one may not know what one is cut out to do. After I shot the TVC, I went online to shop on Payporte.com because that was the first time I will be hearing about it.  I bought a skirt and a perfume which was delivered. Many people have reached out to me after the TVC on Twitter. So for me the relationship started when I shot the commercial. A lot of brands shot TVC with someone and they get another person for brand ambassador.  I like the fact that people saw me as the link between the customers and the brand, that does not necessarily needs to be in the face of the public.

What are your roles as the brand ambassador?

We have to drive awareness for the brand. Like an ear on the ground if anybody has any problem. Toke is not just paid to represent the brand. Toke is interested in the brand. We are to show how people can have a lasting shopping experience in the comfort of their home.

Share with us the other side of your life?

I love my own company most times. People think I’m very loud and always out there. But on some days I can be very into myself. I am very open to adoption. I find it very weird when people talk about having kids and they say, your kids must be your kids and I think it’s such a selfish way to live because there are a thousand children out there who could do with some shelter. Even when I have my own kids, I’ll still adopt.