10 lessons we can learn from Jumoke the Agege bread seller turned model

– Olajumoke Orisaguna is a bread hawker who accidentally walks into a high-end photoshoot

– TY Bello, the award-winning musician and photographer, was in a photo shoot with Tinie Tempah

– Then Jumoke walks into the photo shoot, hawking her way into stardom

Bread hawker Jumoke Orisaguna luckily  walks into TY Bello and Tinie Tempah photo shoot
You all probably have heard of the amazing and almost incredible story of one Olajumoke Orisaguna, the Agege bread hawker who is on her way to super stardom. Her story resembled your typical Cinderella rags to riches fairy tale.

Here is the story. The award-winning musician, song writer and photographer TY Bello was in a photo shoot with the international music star Tinie Tempah on a street in Lagos when Jumoke ‘hawked’ into the set. She was hawking her a Agege bread when she was spotted.

For one who never misses an opportunity to tell a story, TY Bello weaved the bread seller-pop star narrative that has set Jumoke on the path to greatness.


Here are ten lessons we can all learn from the bread seller turned super model narrative.

1. The race is not to the swift:

Even that timeless Christian scripture told us that ”the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong”. The rags to glory story of Olajumoke Ajaguna has confirmed the holy maxim. We all know the struggle to grace the cover of fashion magazines by aspiring models.



Jumoke Orisaguna: From hawking bread to the glossy pages of ThisDay style magazine

We all know how wannabe models would give an arm to strut the runway. But here was Jumoke the bread hawker just going about her normal business and fortune finds her. Sometimes, we just have to live everyday as it comes and just do our thing and hope for luck to break.

2. Be focused on your game:

On that fateful day when TY Bello was shooting for Tinie Tempah on a Lagos street, Jumoke, the bread hawker was hawking as usual. For her, it was just another day. Come rain or sunshine, she must hawk not just for survival but as a routine. She was focused on her game. See how it has paid off.

A transformed Jumoke as she appeared in ThisDay Style magazine
3. Be prepared for the opportunity and when it comes grab it:

When Jumoke appeared for the photo shoot of her Thisday Style cover, she did not fret. She appeared ready for it. Even TY Bello said that Jumoke was a natural, it was as if she has been doing photo shoot all her life. You see she was prepared when the opportunity found her.

4. Never be afraid to take risk:

Jumoke left her village in Ire, Osun state, south-west Nigeria to sell bread in Lagos. She travelled all the way. She could have stayed back in the village and moan about her condition. But she left for Lagos hoping to eke out a living hawking. Instead doors of opportunity are opening for her in the modeling world.

Amazing Jumoke now as a model
5. Do not despise your little beginnings:

Do not be ashamed to do anything honest to make a living. Hawking bread is not the most glamorous of jobs. Yet, Jumoke hawked bread. You may say she had no choice but to hawk. She could have also be lazying around the place as many young people are doing today.

6. There is always someone waiting to lift you up:

There is always a God sent. In Jumoke’s case, it is the super star singer and photographer, TY Bello that has come to snatch her from the jaws of poverty. Like Christians pray, ask God to send your divine helper when you need them the most.


Jumoke Orisaguna left her village in Ire, Osun state in search of the golden fleece in Lagos
7. Work hard someone is always watching:

Continue to do your thing. Someone is watching, someone is waiting. Someone needs your skill. TY Bello was impressed at how Jumoke balanced the bread perfectly on her head. Horn your skill and be the best in what you do!

Jumoke;s story is an incredible reversal of fortune
8. Follow your instinct:

Jumoke could have taken another street. She could have missed TY Bello photo shoot with Tinie Tempah on that fateful day. She must have probably followed her instinct now she is on her way to success.

Jumoke on the cover of ThisDay Style magazine
9. Dreams do come true:

Yes, dreams do come true. Like all human beings, Jumoke must have nursed the ambition of being successful in life. Now she will live her dream with many doors opening at the same time.

10. Finally, Lagos is a land of opportunities:

Jumoke’s story has taught us that in Lagos anything can happen. Lagos is a land of opportunities. Dreams can be made and dreams can disappear like a candle in the wind.

With focus, hard work, dedication and luck, one can achieve one’s heart desires.

We wish Jumoke Orisaguna all the best. And thank you TY Bello for making her live the Lagos dream!

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#Copied: Naij.com and written by bayo olupohunda of Naij.com