Talk about one TV presenter who is usually full of life and bubbles all the time, it is Olayemi Ogunwole. Talk of one air-personality who throws herself into her work and blends with any role you give her to play; she is always one person who fits that bill.
Not only does this sexy babe present TVC’s Daily popular entertainment programme, Entertainment Splash, she also presents a programme on TVC’s Sister programme Radio Continental.
That explains why she is so very busy snitching from TV to radio on a daily basis. She is young. She is vibrant. And she has been a broadcaster since her undergraduate days at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
She took the advantage of her being resident in Ile-Ife to present programmes on NTA Ife then. That was how she started her exciting career. And she has been doing this for about 10 years. What has kept her going? How has she continued to do her TV and radio job with an unknown passion?
These and much more were the questions City People Publisher SEYE KEHINDE asked Honeypot when they met a while back at the premises of TVC in Lagos.
For about, an hour Honeypot told City People the story of her life.
You have been doing this for so long. How has it been?
Goodness. It’s about 10 years now. I started when I was in school. I started at my 300 level at NTA Ile-Ife. I wrote a proposal to NTA Ife and they granted me. I was in Obafemi Awolowo University. I was studying English. I was an Independent Presenter when I served at Anambra State at the camp; I was part of Orientation Broadcasting Services, broadcasting on the camp. You know the journey, I went on to Bisi Olatilo Show, went on to Rock City FM, to Star FM, to Rainbow FM. I was poached by Rainbow FM from Star FM, then I was poached by Radio Continental. Somehow TV found me again.
How come you have been swinging between TV and Radio? Which one do you like most?
Both. I started with TV as I said. I started with NTA Ife. After I worked with the Bisi Olatilo Show, I went to FRCN Centre training school. Then I got a job on radio. That was Rock City FM.
My show when I was in school was not about Entertainment. It was about Research. It was a show I titled: Fact Finding With Yemi. I used to go into history to go and bring out common history of things we wear that we don’t know the history, like the history of Wristwatch, history of chewing sticks and tooth picks.
I started work from the scratch where you were the continuity announcer, you read the news, your part of the production, you still present, you still do part of the Entertainment thing, and you learn everything. You arrange songs. The difference between you and the DJ is just the scratching and mixing. You have to understand music so well. You have to know the one that suits morning belt, evening belt, midnight. I started from that level. Radio is sweet. TV is sweet also. People atimes call me to tell them which one, I love that I should choose which one. It’s always a tight corner for me, when you ask me to choose. I love radio. Yes, I started with TV, but I love radio too. Radio is that love that I can’t actually forget. Even if you ask me to pick one. I can’t pick. Radio is very deep. It’s a lot of work when people cannot see you. And you talk to them and they can relate to you. They can call you and be part of what you do. You have to keep people abreast of events.
You have to be on top of the game. It makes me read everything that comes my way.
Your nick name is Honeypot. And your real name is Olayemi. Is there any difference between the 2 personalities?
Honeypot, as I am fondly called, is my radio and TV name. A lot of people have asked me that question what’s the meaning of Honeypot. Some think its something sensual whenever they hear it. I read novels a lot and I came across the name Honeypot in a certain novel. And the context was somebody said the living room is the honeypot of the building. It means its it the centre of attraction. I like the name because its not one name you come across everyday. When you hear the name Honeypot you are taken aback. You bat an eyelid somehow, it sticks. It makes you remember the person. The next time, you don’t get to ask me the name again.
So, Honeypot is that jovial person. Who wants to make people happy. That is what life is all about. Happiness is a choice. I have always believed in Happiness. It might not be easy. But you can choose to be happy, regardless of what you are going through. Like I used to say if we are asked to pile up our problems, if you see other people’s problems, you will quickly pick up yours and run away. You will just be thanking God. So Honeypot is that person who wants to give to the society what they want in the real sense at every particular time. Ok, what music will they have to listen to at this point in time, what information do they need at this point in time? What is that thing that would be of benefit to them and all that.
What sort of a person is Olayemi?
Olayemi is that person with dual personality she can be extremely excited. She is so happy. She is so playful. She is that happy-go-lucky girl. So many times too, she like to be on her own. She likes her space. She likes her privacy. She like to read I love to read a lot compared to watching movies. I love my room it is quiet, safe, Olayemi is a different kind of person.
Tell us why you left Rainbow Fm to Radio Continental
Radio Continental poached me from Rainbow Fm; just the same way Rainbow Fm poached me from Star Fm.
I believed so much in Rainbow FM, I worked hard; I rose to the post of Head of Programmes. I gave my best when I was at Rainbow. When someone gave me a call from Radio Continental, it was not easy leaving Rainbow Fm. I went for talks with Radio Continental. You know it’s a small industry; some persons saw me and told my Rainbow folks that they saw me at Radio Continental. Nobody called me at Rainbow FM to ask what exactly I went for at Radio Continental. I could go there for anything, even if I was going to be poached. I got bad vibes from Rainbow Fm. I wasn’t going to leave before, but when I weighed my options and considering the attitude of management of Rainbow Fm, I left.
What is this special thing about Honey Pot, that she is being poached every time?
Honey Pot is special. She loves what she does and she puts in her best. I don’t joke with my job, and I always want to be on top of my game. Honey Pot is that presenter that leaves you with no dull moment. I am not the usual person you come across daily. I think these qualities kind of make me special.
How did your broadcasting start?
I started when I was an undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State. I wrote a proposal to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ile-Ife. I wrote a proposal to NTA to have a show called “Fact Finding With Yemi” as an independent presenter. I was accepted, and that was how my journey as a broadcaster began. When I finished School, during my NYSC, I joined the Orientation Broadcasting Service. After service, I worked with the Bisi Olatilo Show (BOS), I proceeded to FRCN training school, and I worked with Rock City FM, Abeokuta, from there, I moved to Star FM, then to Rainbow FM, and now Radio Continental
You could have done something else, why broadcasting?
Its broadcasting because I love to talk.
Tell us about the programme you anchor on Radio Continental?
It’s called “Chat Hour”. It’s about social-cultural issues. It asks questions on behavioural patterns and attitudes, calling for change where required. It is an interactive programme, using phone lines and social media platforms allowing both young and old to air their views. It is presented in a breezy manner. It comes on air Monday to Thursday (8pm -11pm).
You came into the limelight as a radio presenter, and at a point, you were co-anchoring Entertainment Splash on TVC. What informed your going into TV?
I started off as a TV presenter. My first job as a broadcaster was with NTA, as an undergraduate. I still do TV.
But in recent times, we have not been seeing you on the TV show?
Because my primary assignment was radio. I took a break. When I do TV, I still do radio and it makes it long hours in day.
Having done both radio and TV, which would you say is more tasking?
Somehow you can’t compare them. TV is 95 % about glamour; radio comes with a lot of hard work. Listeners can’t see you; you have to narrate and describe what you have to always be in the right frame of mind, you have to think fast.
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