Why Don Crucifixto is fit to fill gaps in Nigeria’s entertainment industry —Tumi

US-based Nigerian entertainment entrepreneur, Tumininu Oluyole, fondly called Tumi by friends, is the founder, Don Crucifixto, a new production and entertainment company which he just launched, and many other businesses in the United States. In this interview with FEMI OGUNTAYO, he talks on how his company – Don Crucifixto is ready to fill the gaps vacant in the entertainment industry in Nigeria and other issues. EXCERPTS:

Briefly, how was growing up for you?

Even though I enjoyed it, growing up in the streets of Lagos was bitter and sweet for me. I enjoyed growing up in Lagos. In spite of the difficult life, the sense of freedom and carefree living was second to none. My parents, even though, struggled to afford school fees for me and my siblings, made sure we were exposed to the best possible education available. Growing up as a child, my parents instilled in me a resilient attitude to always work hard and never give up. This discipline made me pick one of my dad’s old cars up, worked hard to fix the car and used it as a taxi to send myself to the university.

So, who did you grow up looking up to and why?

Honestly, my mom and dad. My mom is full of life and energy. She has always been very entrepreneurial. She will start businesses and fail but, yet, continue to go to the next thing available. She is not a quitter. She was optimistic and that attitude creates limitless opportunities. My dad was a banker. He also started several financial institutions himself. He encountered a lot of mishaps, but he never gave up. He believed in himself. Now look at the attributes of these two fine people! Who else could I ever look up to?

Why did you leave Nigeria?

This is a very important question and time in my life. This period was when I knew God had his purpose for my life. I was struggling to keep up with the university tuition with my taxi business. The car was really a junk and kept breaking down. The educational system in Nigeria itself was not favourable. A degree that was expected to be for 4 years to graduate was dragging into six years due to teachers’ strikes. The frustration kept building and I decided to leave the country for China. I was to leave for China but a week prior, I had an opportunity to go for an interview at the US Consulate. As God will have it, I got my US visa and the rest is history.

Now, you have been able to create jobs abroad, how do you feel about that as a Nigerian and African?

I am grateful and humble that God had looked after me and my family and has given me the unmerited favor to be able to change people’s lives through my job creation. However, I am only a vessel for God’s own work. It does not matter if I am white, black, African, Nigerian or from any ethnicity. All women and men are made equal. As gratifying as it may seem, being an African from Nigeria creating opportunities, I do not believe I have not done anything yet. I am still at my beginning stage though.

Are these businesses having positive impacts on Nigerians directly or indirectly?

All my current businesses are making both direct and indirect positive impacts on Nigerians as well as other African countries. My digital marketing is outsourced to Nigerian companies. My nonprofit organisation provides numerous items to less privileged children in Nigeria and other African countries. My Entertainment business is tailored more to sign African artists and my movies include African rising artists. As a matter of fact, as we speak, I have an ongoing project in a West African country to build a school with recreational and sports activities aimed at getting kids out of the streets. I am also helping them achieve their God-inhabited talents through sports and other areas rather than being on the streets where talents and dreams are killed.

You hinted recently on delving into music and movie productions, why?

I have always loved entertainment and appreciated the arts. While growing up, I used to play drama and was part of drama groups. I feel it is the right time for me to give more into what I believe in and I am passionate about.

Can you shed more light on the new music and movie business?

Speaking with the team, and my business background – Don Crucifixto Entertainment-feels like a great name and that is what the outfit is called. I am hoping to have three major artists on the label and we have two movies going through the production process as we speak.

How well do you understand the Nigerian industry and market, and how do you plan to stand out?

I have found out that entertainment keeps people busy and happy and happy people live long. The idea is to make sure every work we produce can add value to the public. I know the industry seems saturated and that is where the task to be different and unique lies. We will tap into this and fill the gaps. We will always deliver quality productions; that is guaranteed. .

You also lent your voice during the EndSARS protest. What were the lessons from the protest?

I have been a victim of these people in the past and obviously the creation was faulty from the beginning. We have been having a shuffling of politicians for too long. It is time for them to step aside and let the beauty of the talents of this young generation blossom. This current situation simply tells us that there is a chance for a new uprising and we are ready to make a change from corrupt politicians who know nothing about 21st century governing.

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