Mr

President, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Predy Wise, is no doubt a stylish man with a class. The fair skinned dude is a dandy to trail, when it comes to stylish items. He told Mr about his style and his mission in PMAN.

What does style mean to you?
STYLE is broad but if you look at style towards fashion, it means a lot. Some people don’t care what they look like when they appear before others. If you are a public figure, you have to look good. The moment you become a public figure, you are a role model to a lot of people. I don’t want to be a fan to anybody and run into the  person one day looking tattered. To me, style is a necessity.

How would you describe your style?
I don’t dress so loud but I get remarks. It is not about wearing something that is making an outrageous statement. I just want to look good by wearing something that suits and  fits me. So, for me, dressing stylishly comes naturally.

What lifestyle materials do you have  weakness for?
I love cars; I wish I can have every good looking car to myself but that will be selfish, I might just have a fitted tee shirt on but I must have a good car. I have cars that I derive pleasure in driving, driving nice cars give me fun.

Looking into your garage, how many cars do you have?
That’s not for public consumption. With my collection, you can easily spot me on the street of Lagos driving, and anything you see me driving will definitely be mine and not  anybody’s. I like sport cars too.

Do you have a dream car?
Yes, I hope to buy a 1946 Mercedes 500K; it was made before I was born. It’s not easy to come by because it’s not in stock anymore but I learnt that there is a company in Florida that still makes the car on special demand. I’ve actually ordered for one but it takes time to make it. I hope I would be able to get that before my wedding day, that is if I ever find that bride, (Laughs) I should have it by the end of the year.

What kind of clothes are you mostly comfortable with?
I’m not very comfortable with natives, because they used to be complicated a lot. However, these days, they are becoming simple, so, I think I will soon be ordering for some. I  like English wears more; I like wearing my suit and ordinarily a pant trouser and a shirt, but I make sure that my shoes, belt and wristwatch go together.

What kind of suit do you wear?
I have no specific designer, it doesn’t have to be cheap or expensive. In as much as it fits . I have a lot of designer suits, even some that are big in a particular  country in Europe but not around the world.

Talking about leathers, shoes and belt, what’s your preference?
For me to wear a shoe or belt, it has to be a real animal skin. It has to be outstanding. Our Nigerian shoe makers are trying; they have a nice way of coupling the soles and  real really leather. I bought a pair of slippers here in Lagos and it took me time to know it was made here.

Where is your favourite shopping spot?
I hardly shop here. I have clothes that can last me for the next 5years.I shop in New York,  London and Oxford Street. I don’t have a particular shop, It could be Zara, it  could be in one of the Italian shops, Gucci or Armani.

How do you like to smell?
It must be a designer perfume. I don’t have a particular smell. If you always wear the same smell and you come to my office when I’m not around, I can always notice if a particular person was around. Right now, I’m wearing a cocktail kind of perfume. I have Gucci and  other nice ones.

What about wristwatches?
I have all kinds; Gucci, Western. In fact, whenever I buy a shoe. I buy a wristwatch and a belt  with it. It might not be the same label, but same shades.

Your favourite food and drink?
Corn puddingis my favourite food. In my place we call it, ‘Upo oka’, you don’t get it all the time, you only get it in the corn season. Even when I was living in the US, I tried to cook it but it didn’t come out nice because the corn was too soft. I don’t take alcohol, I’ve never been an alcohol person, I also avoid sugar. I take any drinks that have less sugar.

Do you have a favourite hangout?
I work a lot. I’m not a club or party person from day one. These days, I hang out at my hotel in Ikeja. I‘ve never been to a club in Lagos. The only time I went to a wedding reception was at the Coliseum. Even when I was still in the US, I usually go to a reggae Club whenever we had visitors from Nigeria. I also lone watching the movies. I like the parks but we don’t have such nice parks in Nigeria.

Where is your preferred holiday spot?
The United States is my favourite hangout. I like it in Dubai too. I have also travelled to South Korea and China. I like places like that.

Before you became PMAN  president, what were you doing?
When I came back into the country in 2000.  I set up a music label I did a couple of albums  myself. But because I wasn’t living  in Nigeria, the structure of the label did not work, I had to close it when it was beginning to look like I was running a  charity organisation. So, I  went into other  businesses. I’m actually the first independent agent for Kia Motors. I had a service workshop and a showroom in Delta State. I was servicing, the Eastern area of the company. I’m also into hospitality business and I decided  lately to come back into entertainment, which was my first love.

Why did you decide to venture into heading a trouble organisation like the PMAN?
PMAN is a union, the only recognised union for musicians. As  you know, it has gone through a lot of troubles ,but  it’s only a union not a human being that can cry for help. I’m coming into PMAN simply because PMAN is going through a lot of challenges. I  I’m convinced  that I can set the union free. I came in because,I felt a lot of our past leaders had messed the union up.