In entertainment world today; both at home and in the Diaspora, Dupe
Okesanjo a.k.a BNS has done well for herself including artistes that have been
opportune to work with her. Having involved in the promotion of different genre
of music in Europe, her name has become a household with track records of
successful musical promotions.
She is a very popular figure in London where she is well known
as Dupe BNS. Dupe Okesanjo is a London big babe who has been into showbiz
promotion abroad for years. And the good thing about her is that she has been
consistently consistent. Over the years, the pretty lady everyone calls Dupe
BNS Nigerian artistes who visit London. She has a lounge where all these shows
take place. Below are excerpts of her interview.
EVERYONE CALLS YOU DUPE B AND S. HOW DID THAT
ALIAS START?
The B&S or BNS as some write it started from my
religious slogan Blessing and Success.
YOU HAVE BEEN IN ENTERTAINMENT ALL YOUR LIFE.
HOW MANY YEARS NOW? HOW DID IT ALL START?
If I count from the years I worked and acted with Sam Loco Efe
and Olumide Bakare in NTA Ibadan sitcom Koko Close Oluwa Lambe Lodge, you will
be right to say I’ve been in entertainment all my life. But my music promotions
started fully in 2003 with PK 1st Abass Akande Obesere. It is 15years now
TELL US YOUR STORY. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE
DID YOU GROW UP?I was born into Pa. Oke’s compound in Idiikan in Ibadan My
father was a very religious man He was an educationist and a clergy that subscribed
to self-sufficiency. He is late Hon Jonathan Oke and my mum is an Ebira woman
from the royal family in Okene.
HOW ABOUT SCHOOLING? WHICH SCHOOLS DID YOU
ATTEND?I attended Sacred Heart Convent School and Our Lady of Apostles
Mary way Secondary School, Odo Ona. My A levels (6th form) was at St.
Anne’s School, Molete and for further studies, I went to IBADAN
POLYTECHNIC where I read Mass Comm. I interned at BCOS & served at
Nigeria Tribune all in Ibadan before travelling to the United Kingdom in the
late 80s where I studied Politics and Communication. I later started a
Fashion & Jewellery business which was very lucrative in the year 2000. I
was married and I have 4 children 3 have graduated to the glory of God. The
last born is going college.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR RELOCATION TO LONDON.
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
My relocation to London happened when I had a failed
relationship in Nigeria. I decided to further my education in the UK and I have
stayed here till present.
I KNOW YOU’VE DONE A LOT OF SHOWS OVER THE
LAST 10 TO 20 YEARS. CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THESE WITH US?
My 1st Solo show which I invested my money in, without in
conjunction with, anyone was in 2005. The Artist was Obesere. After was Mama
Opelope Anointing/Lanre Teriba Atorise with my pastor at the time Pastor Isaac
Odejinmi, Olu Maintain hip-hop was just emerging in the music circle of
Nigeria.
I later decided to stick to promoting Fuji Artistes because
Londoners happened to turn up more for their shows than when it’s juju or Apala
artist performing.
I have been Pasuma’s main promoter in the UK for the past 10 years
now after Hon. Jenyo, his original promoter left London for politics.
It’s been a beautiful long journey which has blossom into Alh Wasiu Alabi
Odetola Pasuma becoming god dad to my last born. I have had shows with k1
the ultimate in London and Nigeria. It was a great experience that
developed into a mentor relationship.
WHAT SORT OF A PERSON IS DUPE?
Dupe BNS/B&S is a beautiful kind hearted caring soul. She is
a hardworking single mother of four who has passion for entertainment. Dupe is
a charitable person who likes to bring up & mentor young people especially
female who are interested in becoming a promoter. Dupe is a practicing
Christian with the fear of God and respect & compassion for a fellow human.
WHAT IS THE RANGE OF SERVICES YOU OFFER?
At (BNS) Blessing and Success Promotions we promote music arts
and culture. We package event for all occasions including organizing a rally
for political parties. We advertise goods and services for companies
&individuals. We anchor programmes and events. Provide PA System/DJ and
live band for parties. Our others services include catering and decorations.
IS IT ONLY SHOWBIZ YOU DO?
Dupe BNS popularly known as the crowned Queen of promoters in
the UK is not just into showbiz only. I am an actress, a producer and
entrepreneur
IS DUPE MARRIED? OR IS SHE SINGLE?
I’ve been single for 10years without intention to remarry
because I lost trust in relationships due to domestic violence and abuse I
experienced for 18years in my marriage to my the father of my children.
WHAT HAS KEPT YOU GOING ALL THESE YEARS? DID
YOU EVER THINK OF GIVING UP?
God has sustained me, the love and support I get from
people; the happiness I see on the faces of those who attend my events has kept
me going. Although the bad mouthing & rumour mongering about female promoters
in a male-dominated industry and the gang up of unscrupulous jealous colleagues
nearly made me want to quit at a time, the encouragement from my children not
to stop doing what I love kept me going.
YOU RECENTLY CELEBRATED YOUR BIRTHDAY AND
EVERYONE SAYS YOU ARE AGEING GRACEFULLY. WHAT’S THE SECRET?
I’m grateful to God; It’s been you Lord always; my reliance, my
helper? Many don’t know me in person. Many have only seen me on Facebook,
Instagram, Youtube, Google etc due to my profession. Loads of good-hearted
human admired and appreciated my work, but some low lives criticized and talk
bullshit. I won’t say they are jealous I’ll rather say they are unoccupied
alainise eda niwon.
All they do is run their mouth & sell untrue stories about
other people to bloggers. Meanwhile they knew nothing about my relationship
status?
My BnS Lounge was the concern of some. My successful shows are
the headaches of some usually, I wouldn’t talk or respond to twits and I’m
still not going to say a word. I leave it all to God and the good people on
social media.
A few weeks back it was my low cut that was the talk of the day.
I thank those who commented on the fitting and my boldness to wear a bald
/skinhead look.
I have five thousand Facebook contacts and 40k Instagram
followers. I’m sure I’ve not dated any one’s husband/family or friends
nor introduce any of my female contacts to men in the UK; so what’s their
problem?
I am proud of myself and I can hold my head high among Nigerian
community home and abroad
In the entertainment industry, there is no doubt about it, I am
the clear leader. To the Glory of GOD and my dedicated supporters. BnS is a
force to be reckoned with whether they like it or not.
AGBARA mi ko; Olorun ni.
Culled
from CITY PEOPLE
A criminal and a fornicating woman , deceptive woman who defrauded even the father of her children who will stop at nothing psycho pathetic lair parading herself as promoter to the kind of people she mesmerized without knowing her back ground as a thief and fraud star. A woman who will offer herself stopping at nothing even defrauded the father of children.
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