I have come across many great minds in my short life, this young man being one of my newest acquaintances. He’s much younger than i first imagined but then he has achieved more than i first imagined as well.
Let’s meet him shall we?
Hello bro, do tell us your name.
My name is very long and very Islamic in nature but i love it just the way it is, although i’m a born again Christian. To keep it short, you can call me Ajibola, Ajibola Amzat but my friends call me Aj or Jibbz
Wow, that didn’t sound as islamic as i expected. And its the shortest long name i’ve seen too. Ok, you mind telling us how old you really are? No football age o.
Laughs. Well, my full name is Ajibola Mohammed Umarhabib-Amzat. Right now, I’m still 22 but that will change in a couple of months.
I must admit, its long and very Islamic, like you said.
I bet you’re unprepared for the next question. Are u gay?
Errrr… No! That’s such a random question! I like the ladies very much if not too much self. But I’m still very much single.
Yup, as random as it gets. i’m just trying to get GEJ off your back buddy.
Oh, now i get it, thanks! Laughs
So, Jibbz, what do you do?
Well since the job market in Nigeria isn’t encouraging, I had to create something for myself, hence the birth of PROJECT MODEL EXCEL. I like to think of myself as a social entrepreneur. I’m into PR, Brand Development, Event Consultancy and Talent Management but I’ve been dealing mostly with models these days.
Uhmm, how did you know its what you were meant to do?
Hmmm….. I guess you can say I have a passion for always wanting to bring out the best in people and everything i see! i want to watch someone grow to realize their dream and the joy it brings does it for me. I’m a sucker for success stories!
Wow, that’s a pretty good reason. Already i feel like i should be a model, something tells me you are the right guy.
Laughs. You could. i am.
Nice. Well, you must face some challenges, what are they?
Well right now, the economy isn’t encouraging so that would be my biggest challenge. Everyone seems to be broke! Its virtually impossible to start up a zero capital business in such harsh conditions but i’m putting the business model i’ve drawn-up for Project Model Excel to the test. So many companies in this country are not flourishing like they should so when a brand developer like myself comes in and says “you need to do “so so and so” to endear your customer and appeal to a new demography… They look at you and run feasibility studies and risk analysis and end up in the same spot for years, not really growing but hanging there to make ends meet.
I also work with a lot of young talents who struggle to go through school because of lack of school fees and broken, poverty-stricken homes…. They all want to bring their talents to the lime light and become big stars but they lack the financial support they need. I normally consult them for free, link them up with bloggers and run free promo packages but that can only go so far, I wish i can do more but there’s only so much i can do with limited resources.
And no one wants to finance a start up business capitalizing on services and consultancy….
Hmmm, you must be strong-willed to do all these. Weldone.
Smiles. Thank you
You’re welcome. Is there anything other than what you do that you would rather do?
This would probably have to be my primary passion, investing in people’s lives and trying to make a difference really does it for me, it fills my heart with joy, and in life you need to do what makes you happy.
Apart from that, my second passion would have to be marketing, as a brand developer you have to be able to market anything and for me it’s all about the packaging!
I also have a passion for property investments but by default I already co-own a real estate company so i’m gonna keep that cash cow under my belt till Project Model Excel can stand on it’s own.
Good idea. Name three people you admire.
The women in my life, I’m gonna count them as one because they are so much a like! My Grandma, my mom & my elder sister, Sarah! They are the strongest women I know! Strong, Beautiful, Smart, Resilient!
Second, I will say, Mr. Martin Efosa Johnson, he is the most hard working & business oriented designer that I know. I’ve learnt a lot from him and he has encouraged me through out this journey i’m on.
Third will be Uti Nwachukwu because he stepped into spin city and he knows how to play the game. He stepped on the scene as hunky Nigerian on BBA Africa and ever since then he has been reinventing himself as a Fashion Icon, a Model, a TV Presenter, an Actor and even Musician!
Uti the fashion icon, Martins the designer and the resilient women in your life, you sure have an eye for brilliance.
smiles. i guess i do
Does doing what you do prevent you from being or doing something you really like?
No not at all….
Running PME isn’t all that stressful, its just that i have to attend to a lot of talents through my blogs and I try to dialogue with all of them via social media platforms so that’s really engaging. But I have fun with it, my job takes me into the studio sometimes for recordings or to build portfolios and designer look books. And it gets better, because I get a lot of event invites so it’s all fun for me! There’s never a dull moment!!!
There’s nothing better than having a hubby as a job. Might i ask, which is tougher, your job or having to be around all these girls?
Being around the girls would have to be the hardest part…but i cope with it, one has to be focused, you know?
Yea, i know. i also know i love your job. Can I join in? What is your most annoying habit?
Laughs. You should run a PR campaign for PME, wait! That’s what you are doing now? Haha!
But my most annoying habit is probably my cheesy and corny jokes which makes a lot of people wonder which planet I’m from? Lol!
You sound just like me. Sometimes i feel i..this isn’t about me. Back to you.
Have you ever seen a UFO or a ghost?
OMG! I’m pretty sure I have, both a UFO and a ghost… But I can’t place it! Maybe it was a dream or but maybe it wasn’t?
Hmm, that explains it.
Laughs
Who is your celebrity crush?
Eva Alordiah & Sheyi Shey! Those two should do a duet collabo or something…. I am very close to stalking both of them!
Hehe! Goodluck with that.
What are you really bad at?
Public speaking and lying… I’m a terrible liar!
We aren’t so alike then, i’m pretty good at cooking up lies.
Laughs
You seem to laugh a lot. When was the last time you cried?
This last Saturday when a young man came into my office with his story. It didn’t hit me at first until later that evening after I recanted his predicament and started thinking about the struggles people go through in this country!
Rather sad …let’s get back to happy. So, are you in a relationship?
I’m happily single! I’m all about establishing my company. I don’t have time for any lovey
i guess one of those girls haven’t found favour i thy sight yet.
Laughs
What would you like to change in the industry you’re in in nigeria?
I think we should stop the politics and focus on helping each other. Every one is too busy trying to be the best and too busy trying to extort the other without trying to relatively add value to the society and economy.
Hmm, well said. Folks must be itching to know how they can contact you. How can we reach you?
Project Model & Excel is on major Social Media platforms:
Jibbz, its been a pleasure having this chat with you, you’re indeed unique. Hope to see you travel the world soon.
It was a pleasure! Thank you for having me. And amen to that.
