• Edith Iloka Photo: Sun News Publishing

Woman of the Sun Index

Edith Iloka is the Managing director of TOCEE Bridal and Interior decorators. The outfit, which is one of the biggest bridal homes in Enugu commenced business in 1994. It is indeed a large home for sophisticated wedding gowns for rent as well as for sale.

For Iloka it has been a worthwhile experience in the past 14 years. "We are also into cake designing, catering services, rentals and all kinds of decoration. In addition, we have the school of fashion designing which has an edge when it comes to creativity", Iloka informs.

"What makes me happy is the fact that TOCEE has become a household name when it comes to event marketing and planning. We have a set of personnel who are quite efficient. In addition, we also have about 50 apprentices who are also very efficient on the job".

Interestingly, the bridal home started with only one staff in 1994. " We always have students of Home Economics and other related fields coming to us for industrial attachments. Here, they acquire a wide spectrum of knowledge concerning what they learnt about theoretically.

"There is no week that glides by without our services not being heavily booked. We offer a lot of catering services every week. I must say this is the most vibrant aspect of the business. This informs why we travel to all the nooks and crannies of this country. The list includes Lagos, Onitsha, Owerri and Aba."

What gives Iloka joy is when she is given a task and she handles it satisfactorily. "A lot of people marvel at the rate of progress that we have made so far in the business. Interestingly, we have become mother of so many bridal homes in Enugu. A lot of those who have served with us now are independent and running their own unique bridal homes".

To buttress her conviction about the business, Iloka quotes copiously from the Holy Book. "I will always put my trust in the Lord. In Psalms 89 vs. 34, the Lord says, ‘My covenant will not break, nor alter the things that has gone out of my lips.’ I have a covenant with the Lord on prosperity and He has not failed me once."

Going down memory lane, Iloka takes you through her days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and how she rediscovered her hidden talents. "So, I know that this business is God’s architectural handiwork. It is something that comes natural for me and I am at my best any time".

Even though, she is happy with the progress made so far, Iloka believes that there are still so many opportunities that have not been explored. "I did not just delve into the business because it is paying. Rather I saw a vacuum on the imminent needs of the youths and people of poise and taste. So I rose quickly to meet these needs as well as carve a niche for myself."