Folu Storms Takes On Radio And TV

Being humble about her successful climb in her career as an on-air personality, Ada Afoluwake Ogunkeye aka Folu Storms had an interesting conversation with Guardian Life about switching careers, choosing happiness and tips on being a millennial explorer.

Folu Storms

Storms studied Law with the aim of affecting change in her society. After attaining an LLB, LLM and Barristers qualification (Bachelor at Law), she went on to become a broadcaster on a local radio station (92.3 Inspiration) and competed in the MTV base Africa VJ search to become a top 3 finalist.

Storms, who is always travelling, has also worked with a number of brands including Smooth 98.1fm, Guaranty Trust Bank, Jumia and many others. Her documentary, The New Africa for Ndani TV, which she wrote, produced and hosted received a nomination for Best Documentary at the Africa Magic Viewer Choice Awards 2016.

Why Folu Storms? How did you choose this name?
Folu Storms became my media brand identity when I first spoke on the radio. It was during an unexpected and impromptu interview with Shola Thompson at Inspiration FM where he threw me into the deep end broadcasting wise and asked what people should call me. He had not introduced me to the listeners at that time. I chose my middle name, Afoluwake, which I shortened to Folu. I had also just begun reading up on Yoruba mythology and understanding the affinity to elements like water and so on. Storms was born as a verb rather than a noun, a force of nature to be reckoned with.

Folu Storms

Was changing career paths an easy decision to make?
Changing paths was not an easy decision to make and it was one that I made over time in certain respects. I had always been a creative individual and actively participated in all my schools outside of regular academia: if there was a play or musical happening nearby I was part of the cast. I later got involved in modelling. I just always had the drive to express, but I also had the drive to address difficulties I saw people in my immediate environment having: mostly social injustices and poverty. I felt that being a lawyer would give me the skill set I needed to help.

Do you ever look back and wonder what kind of lawyer you would have been?
I think I do wonder what sort of person I would have been if I remained in full-time practice. I don’t wonder what sort of Lawyer I would have been because you can’t take the fact that I’m a qualified Barrister and Solicitor away from me.

You’re currently on both Radio and TV. Which do you find more interesting?
I don’t think I prefer one over the other; for me, they are just different platforms to communicate with, different ways to reach people at their point of need and hopefully give them some information, news or entertainment that will help them. I do like that with radio, I can wear my pyjamas to work because I’m at work when most people are still snoozing their alarms in bed! But it also takes its toll on my energy through the day.

Folu Storms

Should we expect a personal project from you soon?
Yes, you should expect a personal project or two from me, but soon is relative and I’m in a place in my life where I recognise the value of patience. It’s already taken years to get here and we have more to go but I am loving the journey. God has been very good to me and I’m just trying to share that light as best as I can.

You take a lot of trips. Are they trips sponsored or do you have tips for travelling on a budget?
Ahh yes! There are some, which are work trips, but a number of my recent travels are self-sponsored and involve a fair amount of planning, bargain hunting and leveraging on relationships.