I'm most comfortable in the confine of my home ~Iya jogbo.

Emmanuella Pobeni Adepoju, mother of four children. A seasoned broadcaster and trained voice over artiste, popular for her radio drama on MaxFm 1023, "Wetin Dey", as Iya jogbo bi oro, for her motherly role. She is also a seamstress, who decided to go into tailoring because of disappointment from fashion designers. According to Emmanuella, It is either they don't sew at all, deliver behind schedule or they damage the entire fabric. Her love for kaftan, flowing dress is great. She runs TaylorLoRan, although she has not gone commercial due to schedule but her friends and family can attest her gifted her hands are.
In this interview with Azubuike Chima, she talks about the other side of Life, wetin dey, fashion and career. Excerpts:


How did you venture into Broadcasting?
Hmm, initially my desired profession was pharmacy but because I experienced difficulty in physics I had to drop out from the science class, I had to join the arts class. After an unsuccessful JAMB result, my mother saw how unhappy I was, God bless her soul, she asked if I was interested in attending Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ). fortunately the form was still on sale, I was admitted in 1994. In 1995, whilst on internship at Radio Lagos Deji Balogun former General manager of LTV8 spotted me, and he said you are a trainable hand, immediately he took permission from Funke Moore of the news desk and handed me over to Uncle Tokunbo Ojekunkle and Uncle Yinka Adagun, the very day I was taken to the station, I went on air. Even after my internship I continued my presentation at radio Lagos Global focus.

You have become a cynosure of voice over in Nigeria. How did the Journey into Voice Over begin?

Smiles, One Mr Opeyemi, a private producer heard me speak and decided to introduce me to the defunct clapperboard, I began to present shoppers guide in English and yoruba(Kaarakata).

You have mentioned a few persons that have contributed in no small measure in your career, do you have plans to reciprocate equal assistance to the younger generation?

Well I bless the name of the lord, for the people he brought my way. If Deji Balogun had not spot me maybe I would have still got there but it may not have been fast tracked. I was willing to listen and to learn. Smiles... I remember the first mistake I made. There was a war torn country called Saotome and Principe but I mispronounced it. Once I was corrected i took to correction immediately. Life is not what it was when we were growing up, a lot of what we have today is far from passion to what will I get or for the love of what it will bring, fame and money. So if you come to me to help you, from the way you talk, I will know if you can fit in. Sometimes ago, someone called in to "wetin dey" and began to talk rudely to me, today's broadcaster would rather go to social media platforms to reiterate such action but I don't have such time. Passion is missing in today's youth.

How rewarding is broadcasting, at a mention of top 5 stations in Lagos Max is certainly one , so how productive has it been?

Cuts in.. Just like I mentioned a while a ago passion drives me. My late mother used to say, cut your coat under your size, and we usually ask her why under the size, she responds with if you cut it according to your cloth you will walk freely, you may misbehave but when it under the size you walk circumspectly. So I'm indeed grateful to God for the the great things coming through this channel and other things am involved in.

How did wetin dey come about, how was it originated?

Cuts in.... Nothing in life is a mistake, nothing is by chance, everything happens as it has been written. It is now left to you to maximize the opportunity when it comes. I took a break in the media industry in 2004 after delivering my 3rd child. I noticed link fm was recruiting, so after the interview i travelled to the UK, with the intention to stay back.Fortunately I was called that I was amongst the lucky people to commence work, I came back to Nigeria after 2 months to pick up the appointment. Matthew Olunola, one of the producers walked up to me to say I think you should join them on "wetin dey " I asked as what? sometimes I can be sarcastic, smiles.....as Niyi's mother, Uju's mother in law, Tatafo's grandmother. He asked if I could mimick Apena's character, I just said yes, while I was young my mother talked like her, so I joined the set. The name "Iya jogbo bi oro" was given to me by Niyi Ojemakinde after I scolded Tatafo for an error, he just exclaimed ahh! Jogbo le le sha... It was after Niyi left that Wale Animashaun joined as Niyi's younger brother.

The brand Jogbolistic?
Iya jogbo character is a stark illiterate, fashionista, current with happenings, strict, self reliant , amiable, women right campaigner. Tosin Ajayi and I thought about what we can do, that was how Sharing with Jogbolistic came about, I empowered about 4 persons with different crafts tailoring, catering, and so on..

You are very beautiful, how has your beauty aided your growth in the media industry.

Smiles... I'm not one of the freaky personalities, I don't go to shows. I'm most comfortable in the confine of my home. If you see me go to party, maybe I need to drive my mum down there. I don't think beauty should be anything to sell anything to you. All that I yearn for is endorsement for products and services that my character as Iya jogbo can fit into.

How do you deal with distractions?

God has been merciful, your loss is another person gain. Someone will not help you bear it. I'm at my best when am worried , I get inspired to cut beautiful designs. When you face life alot of things becomes easy, especially when you don't day dream. Most times I buy my self stuffs and just put it on.

You sound spiritual, on set the way you pray for your guests, you have attributed a lot of things to God, it says so much about you?

Smiles... It started way back as a young person. My mother was deep in prayer, I picked a lot of my traits from her. I pray with ease except the release is not there.

What is your fashion signature you can't do without?

Perfumes, I love male brand, there is something about male sweat, if it mixes with perfume,if a female uses it there is a clear difference. I don't like the female perfumes, I hate to be told that I smell like Flower, Apericut. I'm a jelwery freak, I use bogus earings, and a number of piercings.

Most expensive possession?
I have nothing less than 50 Jeans of different designs, they may not be really expensive but looks good on me. my trainers should be the most expensive fashion possession.

Are you happy about Nigeria of Today?
What We need to work on is our value system. We must learn to do things right without,necessarily waiting to be forced to do it. Do not wait to be gratified.

I know the pose is gonna be somehow, if you Call them sex object now, they will call for your head

Rest On.
You are gone too soon.
Can't believe You're gone, Emmanuella Pobeni Adepoju, Ìyá Jogbo bi Oro