In a recent interview with Ono Bello, Toke Makinwa opens up and talks about how she found her love for the broadcast media at a tender age although she had to leave it and cater to other challenges life was throwing at her. According to her, getting back to broadcasting was as a result of persistently confronting the fears that stood in the way of her undying dream. The spotlight shone on Toke with the premiere of the late night show on seaside station Rhythm 93.7. The show which was tagged Rhythms of the Night was designed to attend to the needs of those who stay up late at night and enjoy smooth melodies that evoke a sense of peace, serenity and calm. Prior to this time Toke had briefly brushed up her presenting skills on Cool FM on a programme that came on during her transitory process from secondary school to the university. She left the media to go study overseas and entered into the banking sector on her return, much to the delight of her parents but the media kept calling and when the opportunity came to get back into broadcasting, she did not hesitated.The ex-banker took a plunge into the audio-visual electronic media when she got the chance to be the lead anchor of popular FlytimeTV show 3 - Live Chicks alongside radio presenters Oreka Godis and Tosyn Bucknor where she was able to take charge of a live interview and dish on news across the board from hot topics to real day-to-day issues. She recently furthered her exploration with the announcement of the launch of her top of the line video review and variety showcase VHS which she will co-host with Yomi Black. The show, she told OnoBello.com exclusively, will keep a lot of artiste, music video directors and stylist on their feet. While we inquire from Toke about VHS, we took the liberty also, to explore what it took to become “The Toke Makinwa” in this exclusive interview.
OB: Quite a wholesome of us know a thing or two about Toke Makinwa the On-Air personality, in a nutshell, tell us about your background
TM: I was born on the 3rd of November 1984, I come froma very large family, I am the second child of four children and growing up was a whole lot of fun.I started schooling at the age of 1;so my mother says, and I lived most part of my childhood in Lagos State.
OB: From banking to broadcasting, that was a major cross-over, what informed the career switch?
TM: I always wanted to do entertainment. I started working on radio in 1999, however brief that was,it gave me an idea of what that world was like and I fell in love with it. I got a job on a youth program that was broadcast every Saturday morning on CoolFM. I had only just come out of secondary school and was waiting to take the JAMB examination or A levels, to go to university. I am a very creative person, I must be found doing something and when the opportunity came back then on CoolFM, I took the job without to speaking to my parents and one day my mum heard my voice on the radio, that was it. I went to University, majored in English language/Literature and when I was done, I was so sure it was time to try the radio career path again. Still no support from home, I moved to London to pursue this dream there and that wasn’t successful as well. I came back home like an obedient child and got a Job at Zenith Bank which made my parents finally happy but let's just say that dream refused to die and one day I confronted my fears and I guess the rest is history.
OB: Hosting a show like the ‘3 Live Chicks’, it’s a whole new dimension to live show, how was the experience for you?
TM: It was all sorts of amazing. I got to work with the best presenters yet. Tosyn is a firebrand and Oreka is so funny. We had so much fun and I will do it all over again. Unfortunately we signed contracts per season and when season one was up, I felt it was time for me to move on to other projects. The experience was awesome
OB: Describe your other co-hosts in one sentence
TM: Tosyn Bucknor - handful in a cute way and Oreka is unpredictable, you just never prepared for what comes out of her mouth next.
OB:What made you decide it was time to move on?
TM:The first season ended as I said above and after that I had some time to myself to evaluate my brand and think of my future planes. I want to have my own talk show someday, which I am working at. I would like to retire with a talk show that is a breath of fresh air, just like Ellen DeGeneres. I need to gain all the experience that I can while on this journey so I wanted to try out some other things I guess
OB: Was it your passion for broadcast media that made you study English Language in the University?
TM: I did so well in English Language as a subject, this was way before I fell in love with Radio. Each time my results came out, my highest grade was English language and I had a thing for literature too. I went into university with the sole purpose of reading English Language
OB: While working at Rhythm 97.3 hosting the Rhythm of the Night, have you ever chocked on a question from a caller that caught you off guard?
TM: A lot of times, working on the night show was crazy. There are so many people who find it difficult to sleep at night, and of course, the creeps also come out to play. Let's just say I now believe in that famous saying about human beings and how easy it is to talk to a stranger. Kind of like a confession booth, (Laughs) I met the normal, abnormal and the crazy.
OB: Hosting a show like the Rhythm of the Night must have taught you a lot about relationships, can you share some relationship tips with us?
TM: Relationships are hard work! I don't people imagine how much work it is until they are actually in it, we as humans are complex and the beauty of the mind is in that complexity.
OB: You seem to be keeping your new TV show with Yomi Black under wrap; can you tell us something no one else knows yet, about the show?
TM: The show will keep a lot of artist and music video directors and stylist on their toes. It is real
OB: You also hosted the MBGN and Headies, those are high profiled events, how satisfied are you with the height you’ve attained in your career?
TM: I think I am only just beginning, I don’t see the heights yet and I work so hard not to become complacent. My dreams scare me and I haven't even began to scratch the surface yet. I saw the cover of Genevieve magazine yesterday, the one with Betty Irabor on the cover and a caption that says - "The trick is to do it afraid" That’spoke to me on so many levels. I pray for the strength and God's will to birth all my dreams.
OB: Are you hosting any of such events in the near future?
TM: There are talks here and there, I would love to.
OB: With all your successes, what will you call the highlight of your career yet?
TM: I am yet to achieve the highlight. (Laughs)
OB: When is the “VHS” show going to debut?
TM: We are tying up all loose ends, pretty soon I pray. (Laughs)
OB: Do you think with the package you have in place for the “VHS” show, it’s going to be a major milestone in your career?
TM: You can only pray that you find favor with the good Lord and all your handwork pushes you forward. We work really hard on the show, I hope it takes me to a whole new level.
OB: Why Yomi Black. What is he going to be bringing to the table?
TM: He is an amazing guy, he started hosting the radio hits show and it is a huge success, he has all sorts up his sleeves actually, I have to constantly push myself to keep up with all his crazy ideas and skits.
OB: It’s an open secret that you are a very spontaneous host, do you think Yomi Black will complement that attribute or are you banking on the varying attributes?
TM: I think so far we work very well together
OB: Describe your ideal man
TM: He has to have the fear of God in him, I want someone with kind eyes and a good heart, someone who would help me be a better Toke. A guy who see's the real me not the media personality, someone I can laugh so hard with and share my fears with as well. Sometimes I think I am looking for perfection when I am not perfect, I guess we learn as we grow.
OB: In that light, are we going to be hearing wedding bells soon?
TM: To be honest, I don’t even know what is going on in that department (Laughs). I am so focused on work right now, maybe, maybe not. Whatever happens, I am at peace.
OB: Describe your fashion style
TM: Sexy sometimes, Comfortable most times and over all chic
OB: How do you whip yourself into shape?
TM: I won’t even lie; I have fallen off the band wagon! I need to get back to my routine. I have a personal trainer but I have been so busy of late. Thank God for good genes, and prayer. (Laughs) I pray about these things too and God answers. (Laughs)
OB: According to you, you are “not one to shy away from the camera,” does that mean you might delve into movie or music soon?
TM: Sure! Not music but I would love to try out the movie scene, itis on my list of must do.
OB: Where will you call your best holiday destination?
TM: Marbella is beautiful.
OB: What are the 3 basic things you cannot leave home without?
TM: Lip-gloss, my Ipod and my sunglasses
OB: What or who are you wearing right now?
TM: My jammies, Lol
Culled From ONO BELLO. COM.
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