Bread Seller Turned Supermodel: (The “Olajumoke” Story)

Nigerian, Olajumoke Orisaguna, has a story some may tag as sheer luck, a miracle, or just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. For those who are not familiar with this remarkable saga, a quick summary:

Olajumoke Orisaguna, a native of Osun State, Nigeria, was a common bread hawker. She literally walked into her success when she photobombed her way into an ongoing photoshoot by veteran photographer TY Bello and UK based rapper Tinnie Tempah. That coincidence turned into a life changing moment.

Ty Bello admits that it was not until after she was reviewing her film that she noticed the stunning bread seller in one of her shots. She then posted the photo on social media with a call for help in locating the woman. Olajumoke became an overnight  sensation, leading to  a feature on the cover of ThisDay Style. Thereon after, it was only roses that sprung up for the young mother of one.

From being offered a luxury apartment and a scholarship to a finishing school known as “Poise”, receiving multiple offers from  modeling agencies,  to being featured on CNN.com, the “Olajumoke story” proves to be the perfect script for a beautiful fairytale.

However, her story has received a series of conflicting opinions. While some pray for her kind of “miracle,” others are critical. Peter Adeosun writes, “I don’t like the Jumoke, the bread-seller-turned-model’s story.” He postulates that we as a people have resigned to fate, luck, and unmerited favour to make it in life. Explaining that hardwork is no longer practiced.

Some commend TY Bello for being an angel in disguise while criticizing the other big names jumping at the story and not helping others to the limelight. Others criticize how large sums of money have been used to promote her, neglecting other more compelling issues. In any case, whether her story speaks disgust or brings hope to anyone, it is undoubtedly one to reckon with.