INTERVIEW Hajia Abah Folawiyo: Woman. Fashion Icon. Trailblazer. Legend. Sisi Abah By Ameena Daayo My mother’s love for African prints was my first introduction to Abah Folawiyo. Indeed, it would be somewhat impossible to separate the success of the Ankara fabric from the sacrifices and hard work of Madam Abah. Who would have thought that many decades down the line, I would be blessed with the prestigious opportunity to edit an edition of my favourite magazine in honour of Madam Abah – a fashion icon who was greatly loved by my late grandmother and mother? I cannot be grateful enough to my editor-inchief and the team at Glamsquad Magazine for decorating me with smiles and pride as we celebrate our own Sisi Abah. July 22, 2022, would remain in the annals of history, and all those who were opportune to be present at the Ikoyi, Lagos residence of Hajia Abah Folawiyo would live to tell the tale. It was the 80th birthday celebration of Sisi Abah – as she is fondly called, and everyone who is someone in the Nigerian upper echelon was present to celebrate with the mother of modern African fashion! The crème de la crème of society was on hand to celebrate with Hajia Abah Folawiyo as she celebrated her 80th in grand style. She is the widow of Chief Abdulwahab Iyanda Yinka Folawiyo, the great industrialist and Baba Adinni of Nigeria, and mother of Segun Awolowo – the former executive director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. Segun is the grandson of former Nigerian nationalist, socialist, and statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Although her name is Hajia Abah Folawiyo, if you want to strike a chord in a group and hear all the ‘oh’ and ‘ah,’ it is best to refer to her as Sisi Abah. Funny right? But that is what she is fondly called. Replying to a question by City People some years ago, she explained how she got the nickname Sisi Abah. 26 www.glamsquadmagazine.com
INTERVIEW Glamsquad Exclusive: www.glamsquadmagazine.com 27
Sausage & Grilled Veggie Platter 4-
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