About me

I am OLAJUMOKE ARIYO but I’m mostly known as Jummy or Baronessj.

I am a top London based Nigerian Events Industry Practitioner and one of the most influential Nigerian community activists in London.

I am a Certified Events Planner & Organiser and Venue Stylist who studied at the UK Academy of Weddings & Events Planning. A mother of three grown up children, I was a Junior Finance Manager with the Metropolitan Police Service before I left in 2012 after 15 years of dedicated service to start my own Events company, Splendour Events Design.

In 2012, I Co-founded the multi award winning Nigerian Events Awards UK (NEA UK) the only Awards Organisation in the UK that is specifically aimed and directed at recognising and celebrating previously ignored and under-valued individuals and businesses working in and servicing the UK based Nigerian Events Industry.

A British born Nigerian, I was a member, and the Secretary for the 2014 Nigerian Centenary Awards UK Organising Committee, the one-off High-Profile Event that celebrated 100 Outstanding Nigerians living in the UK over the past 100 years.

In 2014, I founded the Baroness J’s Sistas And Divas Evening – an annual women only social networking event. The event is also a fundraising medium for laudable causes and charitable organisations in the community. Some of the organisations that have benefited from our fundraising activities include Focus on Disability Foundation and Cancer Research UK.

In 2013 and 2014 respectively, I was awarded the prestigious Platinum Business of the year Award at the International Women of Power Business Show in London.
In 2014 I was awarded the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award by the UK International Achievements Recognition Awards for my mentoring and inspirational services to the Events Industry and to younger women.

In 2016, I was awarded the Ogun State Media Personality – Ambassadorial Award and Most Promising Blog Award by the Good Samaritan Foundation. I also bagged my second BEFFTA Best Blogger nomination and PODIUM International Awards Best Blogger nomination.

As a Public Speaker, I deliver key note addresses at events and inspirational talks on women affairs. Some of my most powerful talks include “Moving on after a Divorce” and “Depression – It can happen to anyone”

A French Education Graduate from the University of Benin, Nigeria, I speak moderatly fluent French and some Spanish aside highly eloquent English and Yoruba.
In 1988, at the tender age of 21, I co-anchored as a Bilingual Host, the highly powerful Conference of West African Finance and Industry Ministers held at the Ogun State Hotel Abeokuta, a task that earned me high commendations from the then State Governor, Col Raji Rasaki.

I started my Media and Broadcasting career at the Ogun state Television Service (OGTV) Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1986, where I was trained and mentored by broadcasting legends such as Chief Olusesan Ekisola, and Chief Yomi Onabolu.

I worked as a Newsreader/News Anchorwoman, Presenter and Continuity Announcer from 1986 – 1989 and then from 2002 – 2005 while on career break from the MPS.
Also while on career break in 2003, I opened Splendour Boutique & Beauty one of the premier modern Fashion outlets in the Ogun State Capital Abeokuta.

In a professional move back to my Media & Broadcasting background, I in 2014, started BaronessJ Media – which I later merged with my Events business to form Baroness J Media and Events. Through this outfit, I work as a Red Carpet & Events Host, Public Speaker, Broadcaster, Events Organiser & Marketer, Public Relations & Image Consultant.

In September 2014 I served on the Marketing and Public Relations team of the music promotions outfit Home of Music, in putting on “De Ultimate Concert” featuring the Megastar KWAM1 from Nigeria.

I am now an established Radio Presenter with my own Chat Show BaronessJ’s World – Naija FM 101.1 streamed live weekly on 3 platforms – online, on radio and on social media.

My Blog site – Baronessj.com. which won the prestigious BEFFTA UK 2015 Blog of the Year Award and The Good Samaritan Foundation 2016 Blog of the year Award among many other nominations, is one of the most popular and most visited Nigerian owned blogsites outside Africa.

In 2015, I was personally approached by the publisher of City People Magazine Seye Kehinde to become the publication’s London Correspondent and write weekly columns for the magazine. This I did under the title London Digest in which I wrote about and showcased hard working and high achieving Nigerians living in London.
In 2016, I was appointed the Social media adviser to the Mayor of Greenwich Borough Cllr Olu Babatola.

In May 2017, I became the General secretary of the Central Associations of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK). In May, 2017, I helped form the Nigerian Community Greenwich and I serve as the Association’s Publicity Secretary. In 2017, I also founded the Central Association of Ogun State Indigenes in the UK (CASSOGI UK) and in the same year, I was Labour Party Chairperson for Woolwich and Plumstead Ward.

I am currently studying for my MBA at the Anglia Ruskin University, London.

Personal life:

I celebrated my 50th birthday in London a few years ago. I have 3 grown up kids.

I am a Minister and worker of the Redeemed Christian Church of God where I serve as Church Elder, Choir Member and Sunday School Teacher.

I am a comfortable “homebody” but I enjoy the occasional outings. However, regular attendance at Church, Corporate/Networking and Community events are a fixed part of my lifestyle.