By Christy Anyanwu
Former beauty queen and the second wife to Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, known as Joy Onojaife is a physiologist and entrepreneur.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, she opened up about his relationship with Gani Adams, her lifestyle and lots more.
Tell us about yourself?
I’m Ayinba Joy Adams, I’m from Delta State, an only daughter and I graduated from DELSU, my discipline is Physiology. I’m not practicising like in a medical line. I went into business, I’m an entrepreneur. I sell human hair extensions. I’m into business. That’s what I do.
For how long have you been doing the hair business?
I’ve been doing hair business right from school, right from DELSU. I started while I was in the university. I started right from school.
It’s been over like five to six years now.
When did you graduate from DELSU?
I finished from DELSU in 2014.
Where were you staying before you met Aare?
I stayed in two places actually. I stayed in Warri though I’m from Delta State and we have a family house in Warri and Abraka too. But I was born and brought up in Lagos. My primary and secondary education were all in Lagos. But I had to go to DELSU for my university education.
Although I do shuttle between both places because my dad is the type that likes to stay in his country house, his home town so he’s always there most of the time and also, his kind of job takes him there. So, one time I was in Warri and I had to move later to Lagos. I met Aare in Lagos, we met at the airport.
Tell us what happened, how he toasted you?
(Smiles) He approached me when I was trying to check in for my flight. He approached me and that was when we started talking. It’s like three, four years back.
So, what was the attraction? When he approached you did you know his title. Did you know the person he is?
Well, I initially didn’t know, but along the line I discovered. The attraction was just his charisma. He has this strict personality about him. He likes to listen to people and he doesn’t like people being oppressed. He is this kind of person that loves to be there for people in the best way he can. He can go out of his way just to please you and that’s one major thing that really attracted me to him.
So, the first time he approached you, You didn’t know he is the Aare Ona Kakanfo?
No, I didn’t know.
So, when you now knew that he is that kind of powerful man, people say if you sit on a seat or stay close to him you will just disappear, all that kind of stuff, so how did you feel when you now knew he is the Aare Ona Kankafo?
You know, ever since I’ve known him, he has been normal. We live like regular people, so there’s nothing extraordinary. He’s just like every other regular man, he has always been normal. I’ve never had any feeling of probably he can appear or disappear. Even with his relationship with people, he doesn’t act in a way that you can detect that he is the Aare. He acts like a regular man and it has always been a normal relationship.
Tell us, you said you are the only child or the only girl?
Oh, I said I’m the only daughter, I have two younger brothers.
As the only daughter, tell us about your memorable moment you remember while growing up?
As an only daughter, I’m actually daddy’s kind of girl. If you want something from my dad, you have to go through me to make it faster. I had much love from my dad growing up and from my mum too. One memorable moment was on my birthday. As a little girl, I loved birthdays. I don’t think there’s ever a birthday I have never celebrated that I know of. No matter how small or big it is, there has to be a birthday and I have to cut my cake. So, there was this particular one, then amusement park was a ‘big thing then’. I really wanted to go there for my birthday and I told my dad, but he said no. I felt bad and that was it. I didn’t know that there was a surprise. The day came and everyone was acting normal and he said we are going to one of my cousin’s place. Everyone dressed up and I thought that we were just going to visit a cousin. The next thing, I found myself in Amusement park and we celebrated the birthday and it was nice. I really can’t forget that day. It was a very memorable day for me. Also, the day I was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Urhobo land in 2012.
How old were you then? Was it your 20th birthday?
I was 10 years old.
If there’s anything to change about Are, what would that be?
I don’t think there’s anything to change.
Aare is just perfect for you?
No one is perfect actually. He also has his flaws, there’s no 100 per cent in anyone. There are still flaws, but it’s normal.
So, tell me about your kind of style. What fashion styles do you like?
I’m a very simple person. I like simple, but classy styles. I don’t like anything loud. For my make-up it has to be natural. I like to look natural, but at the same time look good. I am someone that really invests so much in my skin. Your skin is the first thing people see, it really tells a lot about you. Your appearance is the first expression. I like to take care of my skin. I like to do skin check.
My style is simple, classy, but not loud. I wear whatever clothes I feel comfortable in, except if it’s black clothes. Naturally, I don’t feel comfortable in that colour. I don’t think I have anything that is black. Other colours I wear.
What’s your favourite music?
I love everything about Michael Jackson . He’s always been my favourite. I also like Celine Dion.
For Nigeria, my favourite is Wizkid .He’s my favourite of all times.
If you want to choose your favourite holiday spot, where would that be?
I would love to go to Paris because I hear a lot about the place. It’s kind of romantic and I love Spanish. I love the Spanish language. I speak a little bit of Spanish and a little bit of Portuguese.
Have you lived there before?
No, I’ve not lived there before, but if you love something you can always learn. You don’t have to live there to learn their language. I love their language and I also watch their movies, I just love the way the language sounds. It is so sweet and romantic kind of. I am someone that likes learning different languages just to be multi- lingua.
Aare is a traditional man, he speaks out and he’s blunt. But inside, what kind of man is Aare, is he a romantic man?
You said he’s a traditional man, but I have been trying to mould him to be romantic. I’m not saying he’s not romantic oo. There’s still some things I still teach him which I feel he’s not exposed to maybe because of his tradition and he’s very open to it. He’s says okay, you want me to improve on this. That’s one thing about him, he listens and says okay let’s work on it. He’s so willing to whatever improvement that will better the relationship. So, far it has been good.
You are not seen on the social scene, does it mean you just appear from the blues, tell us more of the kind of person you are?
I was Onojaife Joy. My dad is a chief. My family is just a regular family. My dad is an architect by profession. I’m not into the social media stuff even before I met Aare. I just mind my business. I’m more an indoor person probably because of the way I grew up. Growing up, my mum ensured we don’t go outside except we are going to school or going to church. I grew up in that kind of environment where you don’t make friends. Even in the university, I stayed alone and very difficult to adjust, no father, no mother with you. But I still see myself going from class to the hostel. I live this triangle life because that’s how I grew up. I’m an indoor person, the quiet type, I just read and draw for fun. I’m not a social media person, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a Facebook account. I’m not a posting type. I met him at the airport, not on the social media or through anyone, we just walked into each other.