Interview with David Onoja Architect and one of the best Event managers in Abuja
Tell us your name?
David Onuche Onoja
What do you do?
Architect by profession but passion for events and
interior decoration
Which school did
you graduate you from?
University of Jos, 2011
Tell us about
architecture?
Architecture was fun, we called it architorture, we spend late night’s drawing and in the morning the
lecturers tell you, you did rubbish but, it was a worth the stress
Tell us about your
family?
Family of 8 Dad, Mum 5 sisters and I, the only boy and
second child
When is your
birthday?
18th January
What is like been
the only boy?
There was nothing special, its fun being among the ladies,
but there was no special treatment
That’s why you’re
a ladies’ man?
Not really, I just grew among them and I appreciate them
a lot
What are you doing
now?
Am with a construction company amidst personal workings
Which is the main
Architecture or Event Management?
It’s both, but architecture is my profession, architecture
as a profession gives me the insight into event management and designs
Any of your former
relatives into event Management?
Nobody has done it before in my family that I can remember
Tell me what takes
an Architect to Event Management?
Back in the days, I did decoration for churches and
parties, there is money both ways, the whole architectural process guided me how to plan and think ahead,
and that is one of the reasons I want to take that skill into managing peoples
programs and events , architecture was a period of tutelage,
What does it take
to go into event, management?
Basically nothing much, but know what you have upstairs
and resources comes in, you will get better with each event you manage
I know it involves
material, cakes stand, canopies, drink and even cooking?
It all balls down to budget, we have materials if you
have your specifications, we will get them, and we will still deliver to your
taste
So, I am safe to
say that your prices are child friendly not pocket friendly?
Lol pocket friendly, we do it according to your pocket
size
Give me a price
range for a wedding?
We first get the number of persons, the minimum is 500, Hausa
Yoruba and Igbo will be different due to their modes of celebration, culture
matters, for white weddings just reception for 500persons with as little as 1.5million we provide hostesses and servers. If it exceeds the
money goes higher.
How much should a
prospective bride and groom budget for a weeding with your expertise could you
tell us?
We will just advice you on auditorium, cards also the
area also matters, we consider the locality, the renting of the venues matters,
if we are working with a GRA, car hire service, cake food, delicacies, drinks,
alcoholic and non alcoholic, we will give you an estimate, also we have a 10%
contingency
How much?
Lol… you know I have to talk, between 3-4million
So that means you
do the whole running around?
Yes. The client has the rest of mind that everything is
covered
Minus weddings what else?
Most people are of
the perceived view that it is meant for ladies, what is your take?
I agree, most of the event managers are ladies,
Why?
Most people feel it’s a feminine stuff because the whole
design is girly sort of, that’s what I love about it
How is it flying
your star among females?
Having grown up with females all my life, it’s not much
of a big deal or challenge I work with them to achieve their purpose we bring
our various capabilities
Do you work Alone?
For now I have knight
designs owned my me, we partner with others like dream weavers,
Why knight?
It was born out of coming to rescue, those knights that
defend and rescue people especially in empires, so Knight Designs is here to
rescue you from any disaster happening on your wedding day, we want to make
that special day really special
After service
where will the tables turn to architecture or event management?
Will practice both, I love my profession and passion,
after service my event management will be my priority after which I will pursue
my masters in Architecture
What are the basic
challenges you face?
Competitors are high especially in Abuja, finance,
clients, that first client matters a lot
Where do you see
knight designs next 1year?
In the next one year it should have come to stay and be a
force to be reckoned with locally and internationally
What is your family
view, after sending you to school for so long and you are shifting ground?
Am not really shifting ground, they have given me their
support, and that’s encouraging
How do people
reach Knight Designs?
08183384489, our website will be out soon
Any accolades so
far?
Recently we just
go an award as the most promising entrepreneur 2013 for Abuja enterprise
agency, SME programs.
So on a lighter
note who will manage your wedding or u will do it yourself?
Lol Never thought of it but, when we get to that bridge
we will cross it
Tell us secretly
any special person?
Yes, there is identity hidden for now
For our quiz!
You check your phone
and you see 3 missed calls 3 pings 3 messages and 3 face book requests arrange how
you will answer?Missed call, message ping, face book,
Why?
My calls are important, message if there is an alert the
pings u know pings, then face book
Finally your shout
out!
Family, mum dad siblings, and all my friends and all those
who have supported me in one way or the other then that special lady, and all
my mentors. Thank you
the pictures are just a few of his works, if you have not given him a call, you should NOW!!!!!!
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