It is often said that when opportunity meets preparation, it leads to success. With the advent of social media in Nigeria, some citizens had an opportunity to knock on their door and when they were in the spotlight, they did their best to seize the opportunity. Daily Trust Saturday highlights some ordinary Nigerians who became internet sensations and caught the attention of Nigerians.
Orisagunna Jumoke (oni bread)
Ms Orisagunna rose to prominence after accidentally getting caught up in a photo session while selling ‘Agege bread’. She accidentally interrupted a photoshoot of international star Tinie Tempah by acclaimed photographer TY Bello and the images quickly went viral.
Jumoke rose to fame after a remarkable makeover that took her from grass to grace. It even became a topic of conversation around the world. Her fortune grew as she received endorsement deals, modeling deals, tours, and scholarships.
However, the model’s crisis began when she had a conflict with Sunday Orisagunna, the father of her children. He claimed that once fame and fortune found her, she became rude. Her once-buoyant modeling career has also had some setbacks.
Since then, Jumoke has disappeared from public view. The mother of two also deleted all of her social media accounts. Her last update on this was in 2019, with the exception of her Facebook page which was updated in 2020.
Risiqot Ayegbami
In 2020, a young woman visiting Ilorin for Eid celebrations came across two blue-eyed sisters named Kaosarat and Hassanat. She later found out that her mother, Risiqot Ayegbami, had the same distinctive trait. It didn’t take long for her photos to go viral on social media, especially when she found out her father had dumped her because of her distinctive blue eyes.
Their lives improved after a well-known photographer, Mofe Bamuyiwa, captured some beautiful pictures of the unusual family. Kwara State First Lady Olufolake Abdulrazaq and wife of former Senate President Toyin Saraki also intervened by providing the initial cash contribution of N250,000 each to support the family. In accordance with her goodwill, she awarded a scholarship for the admission of the two children to the Roemichs International School.
Risiqot’s husband quickly changed his mind and decided to stay with the family since she was getting so much attention.
Mary Daniel
Mary Daniel, an amputee, caught the attention of Nigerians after a young man spotted her haggling ‘bag water’ on the streets of Oshodi despite her disability. She rose to fame on social media in no time.
Mary has stated in several interviews that her leg was amputated as a result of a horrific car accident that killed her parents when she was a young child. She explained the incident forced her to leave school to support her child and elderly grandma.
Her plight prompted numerous Nigerians to donate to her, and the state government even granted her temporary housing. She commissioned a $17.5 million building that was purchased with donations from generous individuals inside and outside Nigeria. She has completed the construction of a sachet water facility on the property.
Oreofeoluwa Lawal aka Mummy Calm down
Oreofeoluwa Lawal became a Twitter phenomenon in 2020 after a video of him asking his mother to stop hitting him for something he had done wrong went viral.
The four-year-old and his mother, Toluige Olokoobi Babalola, had no idea the video would become popular and attract the attention of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Young Lawal made his Nollywood debut following this popular video when he landed a cameo role in Kunle Afolayan’s film Swallow. He now has a social media account where he keeps his followers updated on his whereabouts.
Jeremiah Ekuma
In January 2022, Ekuma Jeremiah, a street vendor distributing bottled water in Lagos state, became an internet star far beyond his dreams. In viral video captured by a driver named Emmanuel Ojo, Jeremiah was seen handing money to various prisoners in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) vehicle.
Many Nigerians were shocked by the water seller’s decision to donate the meager profits from his trade to the convicts.
Billionaire businessman Obi Cubana offered him a scholarship and a monthly income of N100,000. He was accompanied by Daddy Freeze and Obi Cubana to collect his acceptance letter. Jeremiah is now a student at Ebonyi State University pursuing his first law degree.
Happy boy z1
On March 3, 2022, video of two security guards dancing wildly at a Chicken Republic store went online. The security guards, known as The Happy Boys, were seen in the video dancing to Pheelz and Buju’s club song Finesse.
While everyone was enjoying watching them dance, rumors circulated that they had lost their security guard jobs. In a formal statement, Chicken Republic denied claims they had been fired.
According to a statement on their official Instagram account, the two security guards in the video work for a private security company.
However, the General Supervisor of Omega Power Ministries, Chibuzor Chinyere, provided them with financial support. Caleb, the young man who created the popular video, received a grant. They also received job offers from the Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success.
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