Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian actress, producer and entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Fespris Limited, a collection of enterprises. Fesprise consists of Abula Spot, Lounge & Bar, and other subsidiaries.
Iyabo joined the movie industry in 1998 and in 2004, she began film production.
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Generally, she has produced numerous movies and has starred in hundreds of films. Till date, she has continued to thrill her fans with her sense of fashion and entrepreneurial skill.
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Iyabo Ojo Biography
Alice Iyabo Ojo nee Ogunro was born on 21th, December, 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria. She hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State and was born into a family of five. Her mother is Olubunmi Fetuga and her father, Adekunle Ogunro. She attended the National College, Gbagada. Then, proceeded to Lagos State Polytechnic where she bagged a degree in Estate Management.
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Iyabo Ojo Early Career
Iyabo was involved in drama right from childhood. In secondary school, she was a member of the drama group and continued until she officially joined the entertainment industry.
In 1998, Iyabo joined the movie industry and registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) through a renowned actress, Bimbo Akintola. Same year, she made a debut in an English-language film, Satanic (1998). Then, in 2002 she debuted in the Yoruba-language film Baba Darijiwon (2002).
Subsequently, she started producing movies. She made her debut in movie production with Bolutife in 2004. She has produced other movies like Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan e.t.c.
In 2015, she produced a movie titled Silence. Silence became a blockbuster and premiered in Silverbird Cinema, Ikeja, Lagos. It also won the Best of Nollywood award of the Year. In addition, Iyabo has worked with personalities like Joseph Benjamin, Mercy Aigbe, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Desmond Elliot, and other prominent actors.
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Personal Life
She married Ojo in 1999 at age 21 and gave birth to two children. But, shortly after the birth of her second child, the marriage crashed in 2001.
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Films
Iyabo is a screen goddess and have produced and starred in numerous movies, some of which include;
- Satanic, 1998
- Agogo Ide, 1998
- Baba Darinjinwon, 2002
- 36 Kiniun, 2003
- Inu Obinrin, 2005
- Oro Lanre Pesije, 2005
- Pami Nku, 2006
- Odun’baku, 2006
- Olugbare, 2007
- Egun, 2007
- Taiwo Taiwo, 2008
- Opin Aiye, 2008
- Okanla, 2013
- Silence, 2015
- Beyond Disability, 2015
- Awusa, 2016
- Trust, 2016
- Ore, 2016
- Ipadabo, 2016
- Twisted Twin, 2016
- Kostrobu, 2017
- Gone to America, 2017
- Divorce not Allowed, 2018
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Fespris Limited
Iyabo is an entrepreneur who has channeled her energy into several businesses. In 2017, she launched Fespris Limited. Fespris is a group of businesses which include a restaurant, an academy, lounge and beauty salon etc.
The restaurant arm was named Fespris Abula Spot. It is a place where she sell Amala and other local dishes.
Also, is the Fespris world. At Fespris World, she runs a spa, make up studio, selling of beauty products, event management and ushering services.
The lounge and bar arm have different activities that entertain visitor.
Fespris Production caters for film distribution, film production and trains aspiring actors and actresses.
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Pinkies Foundation
Iyabo Ojo is a philanthropist. In 2011, she launched the Sexy Pinkies Foundation. According to her, it was established with the aim of bringing women together irrespective of age or social class. However, due to public misconception on the members being lesbians, the name was changed to Pinkies Foundation in 2014.
Today, through the Pinkies Foundation, Iyabo, and other women share ideas on different aspects of life and also cater for children with special needs and disabilities.
In 2014, the foundation visited the institute of the blind. Also, in 2015, they donated gifts to the Family Vocational Institute for Disable in Ijoko, Ogun State. In 2016, the foundation staged a walk against children cancer in Lagos.
Pinkies Foundation has done several philanthropic activities while also raising the banner for children and women.
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Awards And Recognition
In 2014, her movie Silence won the Best Movie of the year award at the Best of Nollywood (BON). And in 2018, First Lady, Aisha Buhari recognised her alongside other thespians for their contribution to the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Other personal awards include;
- Best Crossover Actress, African Film Awards, UK, 2007
- Excellent Performance on Stage, BOTRA Award, 2011
- Best Feature Film, Abuja International Film Festival, 2011
- Award of Excellence and Recognition, Deluxe Magazine, 2011
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best of Nollywood Awards, 2012
- Best Actress of the Year, CAMA Awards, 2013
- Woman of the Year, Africa Mouthpiece, 2015
- Best Actress of the Year (Yoruba), City People Movie Award, 2015
Iyabo Ojo Net Worth
Iyabo is one of the most recognised in her genre. According to Nigerianinfopedia.com.ng, she is worth $350,000.
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Iyabo Ojo Quotes
“Always believe in yourself: it’s the strongest tool you will ever own.”
“Everyone has a story to tell… don’t lose focus.”
“When you are organised, you plan ahead…”
“…When something is local, it does not mean that it is dirty.”
“…I am proud to be selling amala because that is my culture. A chinese man cannot be ashamed of owning a Chinese restaurant.”
“Anybody who has a destination in mind would not stop to throw stones at every dog that barks on the way…”
“…Many of these so-called critics are just jealous people who wish they have the type of life you have.”
“When your challenges stop, your life stops (i.e we are bound to have challenges).”
“I may fall a thousand times I tell you but I will always rise again greater than before.”
“I am never afraid to live because I know I will only live once! So I have chosen to be strong, I have chosen to be courageous, I have chosen to live happy…”
“We all have our defects. When you keep looking for an ideal man, a good one will pass you by.”
“You say what you want out of life; we shouldn’t deceive ourselves. It is a choice to die in poverty…”
“To me, marriage is a 50-50 thing. If I put in my 50, you have to put in your 50.”
“Time is indomitable, you can’t stop it, reverse it, hold it or pause it…”
“When a woman gives birth, she becomes a lioness. She becomes the mother of a new life. She’s over protective of her offspring, automatically, she acts the way a Lioness acts after giving birth.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From Iyabo Ojo
Take Risk
Starting a new business can be a herculean task. To begin, you need capital, good location, customers and much more. Obviously, Iyabo understands what it takes to run a business and is prepared to make her businesses succeed.
According to her, she sold some of her jewelries and landed property to fund her new business with the believe that the returns can buy her more beyond what she sold.
Anybody who wants to venture into a business must know that entrepreneurship is risky and should be ready to take calculated risk.
Professionalism
Iyabo explained how she doesn’t take any acting job for selfish interest. To her, professionalism is her watchword. Therefore, once she doubts her deliverable strength, she backs off.
Be Organised
When you are organised, you plan ahead.
One of the most important attributes of a successful entrepreneur is being organised. Ojo believes that planning her life has helped her in achieving success in her career and business.
For a business to grow, you need a well structured plan in place. A plan keeps you in check.
1 thought on “Iyabo Ojo – Biography, Family And Businesses Of An Esteemed Actress”
I love your quotes, they move me a lot.