complexioned and very beautiful with a cute smile that could melt even
the heart made of stone, you couldn’t possibly meet her for the first
time and not like her. She is warm, charming, and very unassuming, the
type of girl any guy can proudly take home to Mama.
Yes, and we must not forget to add, too, that Grace is
also an unbelievably shy young woman. It took us a while to get her to
chat with us for a few minutes. But the moment she relaxed a little and
got comfortable with us, the Ohafia born pretty damsel began to come out
of shell bit by bit. In this brief interview, the soon-to-be Mrs. Makun
told City People’s Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE and WALE LAWAL a bit about her background and what has kept her seven-year-old relationship with Yomi Casual going. Enjoy the excerpts.
The day he proposed publicly, how did you take the whole drama? How shocking did you find it?
(Smiles)Oh, yes, it was really shocking. I didn’t see it coming. I just didn’t see that coming at all.
He told us about the little prank he played on you, that he pretended
he wasn’t feeling good anymore about the relationship and was seeking
to put an end to it, how were you able to process all of that situation
when he now suddenly proposed?
You know, I’m used to him already, I have my own tactics and I know
how to deal with his antics (smiles) so, I was able to pull myself
together and just had to move on from there. There were things that had
happened in the past and I remember what he did then, so I knew it was
all for the better.
What was the attraction for you? He already told us a little about how you guys met.
(Smiles) Ah, it’s a long time ago now, about seven years ago. I don’t know.. Hmm, what will I say is the attraction now?
Why didn’t you ignore him that first time when he approached you?
Okay, yes, I think I saw a friend in him. Regardless of whatever we
see when a guy and a girl meet for the first time, I was able to look
ahead of time and saw a friend in him. I think that was probably the
attraction and that was what I wanted the relationship to be based on
first before it became a full blown one. It was good, I guess.
You’re Igbo, he’s Yoruba, how were you able to convince
your parents because I know Igbos are particular about where their kids
marry from?
I didn’t have to convince anybody. My siblings and I were all born
and brought up here in Lagos. I have got tons of Yoruba friends, in
short, ninety percent of my friends are Yoruba and my parents are not
tribalistic in anyway. And thank God I’m not the first child, most
parents are always particular where their first daughter marries from
and I’m like the sixth child so it wasn’t a problem at all.
You’re clearly a shy person, while Yomi is the outgoing
type, his line of business, especially, requires that he mingles a lot.
How have you been able to cope with someone who is always out there and
who is popular?
I don’t think it’s something you learn, I think that at a point it
just becomes a lifestyle for you. There’s no book that teaches anyone
that if you marry a celebrity, these are things or guides you must
follow. The more you go into it, the more you learn how to handle things
like giving him his space, allow him mingle because of the type of
business he does. It’s more like a lifestyle for me already.
What would you say has kept the relationship going after
seven years because Yomi is a restless person, he’s outgoing and all
that, what has kept you guys together?
Let me just put it this way, it’s been the good, the bad and the ugly.
Can you explain what you mean by that, please?
Okay, what I mean is, there have been good times, there have been bad
times, and there have been very ugly times. So, the way you handle the
different situations are what gives you the drive and the push to keep
moving. We don’t give up on each other. And thankfully, even with the
good, the bad and the ugly moments, we never gave up on each other.
What do you do?
I’m an entrepreneur, I sell jewelry. I deal basically in fashion jewelry for women.
How was growing up for you?
I have spent my entire life in Lagos. I did all my education in
Lagos, I went to the university of Lagos and after I graduated I made up
my mind I wasn’t going to work for anyone and I decided to set up a
business and earn money for myself, but now I earn for my family
(laughs).
Give us an insight into the Yomi Casual that a lot of people don’t know.
Okay,. You know, when you were saying he’s the outgoing type, I
looked at you like, no, I don’t think that’s Yomi. I won’t describe the
Yomi I know as the outgoing type. He’s that kind of reserved person that
always wants to have some time to himself. Apart from when he’s
working, he likes to stay indoors, just chill at home and enjoy his
relaxation time. And I will say he’s also a very shy person. You’ll
think because you see him out there a lot of times, no, he’s an
extremely shy person.
What’s that part about him that you love the most?
The part about him that I love the most is the fact that he’s a very
selfless person. He’ll rather go out of his way to do something for you
just to see you smile. He could go out of his comfort zone to please
anyone, not just me. I have seen him do this times without number to
people he doesn’t even know. I will say he’s a very selfless person.
On a lighter note, how many kids are you guys hoping to have? Have you guys talked and agreed on that yet?
(Laughs, looking across the room at Yomi for support) Ah, I don’t
even know. Okay, let me say two. For us, I think two kids will be fine.