She came to Nigeria’s emerging fashion and beauty world with a glittering charm in the late 1970s. By mid-80s, Ibiyemi Fawaz had become a stunning and sizzling model, so alluring with her elegant walks along fashion show runways.
Yemi Fawaz bloomed like hibiscus flowers in June. Lifestyle and beauty magazines recognised her beautiful innocence and sassy height: she was tall and tender. Her gorgeous face blazed billboards and television ads. Yemi was everywhere as Nigeria’s most beautiful model in everything lifestyle.
I was a young free spirit entertainment journalist when I met Yemi Fawaz at the comfort zones of entertainment journalism. She was glam and beyond beauty. Breezy, yet friendly, respectfully down to earth human.
One lazy day at the office, my disc jockey mentor, Nigeria’s spin-master, the legendary DJ Stagger Lee, “staggered” into my office at The Punch and invited me to a tag-along visit with Ms. Fawaz. That visit is unforgettable. Yemi hosted us until late night. It was the last time I would see her. A few years ago we reconnected through social media.
“…Jebose, you know there are times I think of you when I do see some interviews of mine in The PUNCH, years ago…”
She had gone deep with her renewed faith in her religion. Excitedly chatted that she had become a born again and a deaconess, hoping to open her own worship centre in New York. “Yes I am in New York. I have been with L’Oréal Paris for 10 years, and very soon I will go on my own. I also run my own ministry. It is really nice chatting with you, we must keep in touch, my dear brother. God be with you always…”
Today, Ibiyemi Fawaz eternally departed.
Thanks for the privilege. Go well.
