Alhaji Idowu Ogunremi, the boss of Noble Party Drinks, in this interview with ADEKOLA BAMGBALA, speaks on life, business and root. Excerpt…
Please, do tell us how you came into drinks business.
I was a staff of Nigerian Law School in the department of maintenance in Abuja. I had a boss then, Mrs. Funke Bucknor who was just called to bar and was moving down to Lagos. Knowing me as a dedicated staff, she invited me along and I did not object to the idea. Later, she told me about her plan to set up an event planning business in which she asked me to be involved. I agreed and resigned from Nigerian Law School and started with her. Not long, I informed her that I would like to start running drinks bar but she advised me to go and set it up on my own because events planning is for women. I did and she and God have been supporting me.
Who are your competitors in the business?
We are all friends. We do not create room for rivalry. Those I met in the business are still in business. So, I give glory to God.
Your kind of job would be taking you far from home. How do your wife and kids react when you don’t come home regularly?
My family understands the kind of job I do and they are supporting me. My wife, Hajia Iya Ghana even prays for me at all times because she understands what I have to go through to be a responsible husband and father. And whenever I’m free, I would take them on holidays at their choice location outside Nigeria.
What is your favourite colour?
I love white colour
Tell us about your background?
I was born in Mushin in Lagos here. My mother is from Lagos Island also in Lagos State but my father is from Abeokuta in Ogun Stat.
How effective and affordable are your services?
Our service is for all categories. We operate beyond Nigeria. We are in Ghana, London, South Africa and other foreign countries.
How would you compare this business now and what it used to be?
There is a lot of difference now. In the past, we used to borrow trucks to ferry our equipment to events, we would borrow vans, service boys and others but it is a different story now. We have all of them working for us.
