Within Barking in England, the Adetoros are one of the popular Nigerians. This is because Yeye Banke and Hakeem Adetoro are rich and influential. They are one of those Nigerians who rock both the Lagos and London Social scenes. Yeye Banke and her hubby run one of the most patronised textile shops in England called Royal Textile.
Last week, Yeye Banke had an exclusive interview with Abiola Orisile and she spoke about many things including how she met her husband In Ibadan and what has sustained her 24 years marriage. She also shed light on her celebrated fight with her one time best time friend, Ayisatu Asabari, the pretty wife of Lagos socialite, Amuda Yusuf Asabari.
Enjoy the excerpts:
You flew all the way from London to show support to the Ogunwusis, which of them are you close to?
I am close to Princess Folasade Ogunwusi Fadairo, the Yeye Oba. We grew up in the same area called Akobo in Ibadan. I have been her friend for over 20years.
You run one of the most popular Fabric Shops in Liverpool, London, how do you get good fabrics to sell to Nigerians in London?
Fabric business is not bad in UK. We give our people what they want. We travel far and near to get the best fabrics that money can buy. I travel as far as Switzerland, Austria, Thailand and China. We make sure that we stock exclusive fabrics that can’t be found anywhere.
You are turning 50 very soon and you don’t look it, what is the secret of your good looks?
Alliamdulilai, aside the fact that I take good care of myself; I will attribute my good looks to rest of mind. I am married to one of the best men on earth and he gives me peace of mind.
How long have you been married to Hakeem Adetoro?
We got married 24years ago and we are still counting by God’s grace.
How did you meet your Husband, Hakeem Adetoro?
We grew up together in the same area in Ibadan. He was staying around Bodija and I lived in Challenge. I will say it was his fine, cute face that attracted me to him. He is cute. Then we were both in Secondary School and the rest is history now. I couldn’t resist his good looks when he asked me out many years ago.
What has sustained your marriage for 24 years?
It is not easy sustaining a marriage most especially when both of you are socialites. People will come into our lives to say different things. But, we thank God. We started our relationship as friends, so being married to my friend is one of the basic things that have sustained my marriage to my husband. Another thing that has sustained our marriage is that we tell each other things they say behind our back. My husband will tell me, `My dear be careful, your friend said this about you` and I also do the same to him. Another thing is that when one of us is angry, the other one will remain calm.
It’s obvious that many London celebs will want to date your husband being one of the London big boys still rocking the scene, how do you cope with your husband’s female admirers?
Like I said earlier, it not easy but my husband and I understand each other. Men will be Men; it is the woman who must use their common sense to deal with most of the things she hears.
Do you see yourself settling your differences with time and going back to the good old days when you used to be best of friends?
(Silent) I am a very quiet and shy person. I don’t even look at people’s eye and that is how bad it is.
People seem to see Yeye Banke Adetoro as somebody who is pompous?
I am a very quiet person. People say lot of shit yet they don’t know you. They don’t know me, my friends know me. When people are 500, will I greet the entire 500 guests? I am a very shy person. Some of them will say, Yeye is too pompous but those who know me will say, Yeye is shy and not pompous. It is not like that.
How long have you been staying in London?
I have been staying in London for 25years.
How do you maintain your skin?
I don’t tamper with my skin, I don’t use harsh cream and I mind the kind of product that I use. I use body lotion a lot..
What has that experience taught you?
That experience taught me a lot. Even a lot of my friends who are closer to me also learnt from it.
Would you say that experience nearly crashed your marriage?
People cannot crash my marriage. They have tried several times but they can’t.
