Meeting Our Black Rose, Babamuyiwa.

"It’s an extremely rare flower, there’s nothing else like it. It reminds me of myself. "

Meet Babamuyiwa Ige. He was born in 2002 and attended secondary school at The Vale College, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Who were you in secondary school?

I was very playful and energetic, not a lot has changed.

Who are you now?

A boy from Ibadan chasing his dreams.

What dreams did you have when you were younger?

Very bizarre, but I wanted to be a Rockstar Scientist.

Have they changed over time?

My ultimate aspiration is to reach a point in my life where I can not only help myself but also make a positive impact on the lives of those around me.

Talk to us about your other interests. What do you do for fun?

I play polo A LOT, and I also DJ.

Did any of these interests influence your passion?

Having my interest align with my passion helped me a lot. It fuelled my determination to keep going, and keep getting better.

When did you realize you were interested in Polo?

Polo has been a part of my life since I was around 5 years old, but it wasn't until the lockdown in 2020 that I made the decision to take it seriously.

What/Who inspired/helped you take your passion to the next level?

My family, my friends, and my mentor, Saidu Umar.

Were there any discouraging factors in your process?

Playing polo requires a significant amount of physical and mental exertion. Despite encountering moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, I persevered and kept pushing forward.

Did your secondary school play any role in elevating/deterring this passion?

No. I started playing polo after finishing secondary school, so they have not been involved in this journey.

Do you think secondary schools encourage students’ entrepreneurial minds?

There is no simple answer to this question as it varies from school to school. However, some secondary schools may encourage students' entrepreneurial minds through various techniques, events, or even classes. It's hard to say.

What are the most difficult & most rewarding aspects of Polo?

Although I haven't experienced it yet, the most challenging part will likely be accepting defeat in tournaments, but I will deal with that IF the time comes. Witnessing the joy on the faces of my grooms, and my support system, after winning a tournament is the most fulfilling part for me.

Have you ever wanted to give up? Why?

The possibility of inspiring a young person who aspires to play polo has motivated me to keep going and not give up.

Where do you see your Polo endeavor in 3 years?

I envision creating a polo team that participates in tournaments across various locations such as Nigeria, England, and Barbados, within the next three years.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

God willing, within the next three years, I aspire to have played polo alongside some of the greats and competed in over five countries. In my personal life, I strive to inspire those around me by being a better son, brother, and friend.

Whether you know it or not, we think you’re inspirational. With how you’ve gone about life so far, any words of advice to someone reading this?

Stick to your plan, do anything to get to your dreams, and never doubt the process. Also never forget, "We rise by lifting others."

Do you have any advice for IgeLead & what we’re trying to do?

Keep doing what you guys are doing, everything is amazing and im super proud to be a part of this.

Thanks for growing with us.