Mr

Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General of Nigerian Tourism and Development Commission, (NTDC) speakes on his style and why he no longer wears western clothes. Except:

What does style mean to you?
Style to me is to be unique. To have your own individuality and also to make a statement. It gives an expression of who you are. The way you communicate with people also depicts your style.

What lifestyle material do you have a weakness for?
Antique cars. I love them with a passion.

Which of them do you own?
I have a 1958 Mercedes Benz, which I cherish so much; it reminds of me of what we have left behind.

How would you define your personal style?
Like I said, my style is me; it’s unique, it’s me, doing my thing the way I believe it should be done.

What kinds of clothes are you mostly comfortable with?
I love local fabrics. Interestingly, my wife designs them so well.

What about western clothes?
I don’t wear western clothes any longer. Although, I seldom do, but 90 per cent of my clothes are African attires. I love local fabrics because we must promote what is our own just like some people promoted the suits people are wearing today. When foreigners come to Nigeria, we will like them to put on our local fabrics, and somebody must champion it .I believe I’m one of those people who would do that.

What kind of wristwatches do you wear?
I’m not a strong collector of wristwatches. I can go for any wristwatch, as long as it fits and catches my fancy.

How do you like to smell?
For cologne, I am a big fan of Givenchy.

What about shoes?
I love good shoes; it depends on the clothes I’m wearing. I love Davis and Davina  shoes because they have franchise in Nigeria.

What is your favourite food and drink?
I love beans and plantain. As regards drinks, I’ve never taken alcohol in my life. I only take soft drinks, preferably Coke.

As a well travelled man, do you have a favourite holiday spot?
Certainly, it’s Nigeria. My job is to bring more people to Nigeria. I can tell you that wherever I go, it must be on an assignment or an expo. I prefer Nigeria to anywhere else in the world. Although, I don’t have a particular favourite spot. My job is to promote every part of Nigeria.

What is your Ideal home?
A home is a place where you relax and love to be. I like to be at home after work, so.

What do you do in your leisure time?
If you catch me on the dance floor and challenge me to a dance competition, you will pay dearly for it. I love to dance.

Do you exercise?
I love playing golf , lawn tennis and table tennis.

A while back, reports have it that you have been relieved of your job, which was later found to be a hoax, how were you able to overcome that challenge?
There was no challenge or problem. The truth about it is that if you are excelling at your work, you are bound to be a target for detractors who are not happy with your success. It has come and gone. It was a comedy. It was one of those prices you pay as a leader. A philosopher once told me that for every success you make in life, your enemies increase by two.