Miracles do happen; yes, they do – such as the story of Olajumoke Orisaguna, a mother of two children who relocated from Osun state to Lagos because of hardship.
A hair stylist, Jumoke began hawking bread when she got to Lagos; and that was what she was doing on the day she was “led” to the studio of TY Bello, popular photographer and musician.
Bello did not take note of Jumoke that moment – not until she was editing the image of the client who took her to that location.
Realised the hawker’s potentials, Bello launched a manhunt for her. Both of them later met and below is what she wrote of the newfound model who made it to the cover of the latest edition of THISDAY Style:
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Aso kan na ni mo wo kiri Lana ‘.. Jumoke, the ‘model’ the Internet had been searching for, speaks almost no English. She explained how she had worn the exact outfit in our photograph the day before and someone showed her her own photograph on his phone from Facebook.
A mallam led her to my studio that morning. She narrated her journey to Lagos …A hair stylist from Ire in Osun state but not making enough profit… between her and her husband, a sliding door installer in same village, to care for their two young children.
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At the invitation of a distant relative who knew someone operating a bakery, she relocated Lagos with her 14-month-old daughter to give bread hawking a try, leaving her husband and the older five-year-old behind. As I listened to her, I wandered if the beauty I had seen on my screen as I edited my image was a fluke ..well until she smiled .
I realized that I was wrong. I had in fact underestimated the beauty of this 27-year-old woman. As always, it was her eyes and of course her perfectly chiseled features that jumped out at you when she chuckled .This lady belonged in front of my camera. After a conversation with her husband telling him the story of our meeting, I decided I was going to photograph her that very afternoon. Within an hour, Bimpe Onakoya, one of Nigeria’s leading makeup artists, and Zubby, one of my favourite hairstylists, were at my studio to work magic.
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They had both followed the story online and were more than happy to put in their very best for her. Olajumoke … with curly extensions out revealed a short natural Afro that beautifully hugged her face.@Bimpeonakoya also had decided to keep the make up minimal… She stepped in front of my camera and I almost couldn’t recognize her. She moved differently too. Jumoke looked straight into my lens emoting like she had done this all her life …. I knew we had found a star.
24 comments
It is the grace of God that work for her, may the Grace not depart from her & her family
My role model @TY Bello God bless you for changing this lady’s life and giving it a new meaning. Truly hardwork pays and every man on earth has his own day to succeed. I’m happy for you Olajumoke
Ty Bello, Bimpe Onakoya and Zubby congratulations for the love you outpoured in making Jumoke to shine out amongst the crowd. Keep looking out for those who wished to be other than where life circumstances have kept them. God bless y’all everyday!
Merciful God.
In the words of Tuface, whom God has blessed, no man on earth or Jupiter can curse.Thank you Ty bello and crew for the discovery of this star.
Your comment..i heard d story on ait radio on monday morning n had to rush on line to get d full gist. its d hand of God n i hope fame will not make to abadon her first family. PETERS AIR IRERE. EBS RADIO BENIN CITY NIGERIA.
Dude…you had to kill it with all that negativity. She just arrived, you should allow her to breathe. People just don’t walk away from two kids and a marriage.
A genuine prayer for success is sufficient.
This is simply wow! She’s really a beauty to behold. Story changed. God bless you TY.
Nice work T.bello. GOD bless U for assisting the lady
God u are awesome, pls come and do my own too ooooo.happy for u jummy
God is so merciful, psalm 113 is working
She has poise and grace even as a hawker of bread. Just look at the way the pile of bread is balanced on her head, her two hands in her pocket and the graceful steps. It is almost as if she is posing for the camera.
Ty, I wish I have a million dollars to support this your movement but not yet. However, all I have now is prayer that the lord that used you to change her life will also use another higher realm to uplift you and your carrier. Am. Extremely happy for your tomorrow bcos it will be greater.
TY Bello,God bless you and your family.You have just make somebody a millionaire.
Favour has located her, never loose hope in life at due season the LORD will remember you, another queen Esther in making
But my fear now is the poor husband, will the cords still bind them, there is a clear change of level as she might go places
God wins!
This is what God can do. The saying goes , “time and chance happened to them all”
Your comment..thank God,thank you ty bello blessed are your eyes for seeing the beauty of God in jummy.cheers
113:6
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
113:7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
113:8
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
There’s nothing God cannot do from village to fame Amen
Your comment..is only God that can do this
@Tini… Did you really mean to say ‘People dont just walk away from 2 kids and a marriage’? Sorry to burst your bubble, but people do, daily!
Divine positioning. Fingers of God is at work.May God grant her the wisdom to manage her marriage and the new status.
I thank God almighty for using Ty Bello to make olajomok release that inspit of where she was coming from, that there is something hidden in her that we inspire million of people in the world. May God bless you and your family abundantly for the history you’ve created Amen!!! I wish you guys good luck in all you do.