TV Reporter Who Works With Mum

For many young adults, the mere thought of working in the same office as their mother could bring on a stress attack.

But Sulaiman Bolarinwa is different.

A young business reporter with the TV station City 7, Bolarinwa has his mother to thank for his job.

With her job as a local beautician cut short, Shakirat Ololade Bolarinwa was hired as a tea lady and office assistant at City 7.

She spoke to producers about her son who was then completing his undergraduate studies in mass communications in Nigeria, and they invited Sulaiman for a four-month internship.

“I was assigned to go with the cameramen,'' he said. But on one assignment there was no reporter available.

“They needed me to get them sound bites. That was my chance, and I did my best. The producers liked my work.''

He was offered a job following his internship, but he refused as he was homesick. However, five months later, in March 2007, he returned and took up a reporting job at the station, working alongside his mother.

“Nothing is different. When we are at work, we are like colleagues,'' says Shakirat Ololade.

“It feels good when people tell me my son is doing a good job, I feel happy.''

"We are very close, but we quarrel a lot because she doesn't let me do everything I want,'' said Sulaiman.

Shakirat has recently moved to a separate building, but lends a sympathetic ear to her son's work-related frustrations.

“Sometimes when I get angry, that's the right time to see her. She's good at giving advice and at praying. Maybe she's an angel,'' says Sulaiman.