Career Spotlight: Funke Bucknor-Obruthe: Lawyer Turned Event Planner Extraordinaire – Creating Memories For A Lifetime

Event planning is no easy task. One word which aptly describes it -Overwhelming! Pressure takes a toll, tempers flying here and there, empty bellies growling…Fact be told it takes a whole lot to pull off a truly beautiful ceremony, thankfully, event planners take that burden off and afford  celebrants the opportunity to truly revel in the beauty of a celebration.

Talk event planning in Nigeria, Zapphaire Events, a bespoke event management company with a wealth of experience in event management and event solutions, an initiative of seasoned Lawyer turned entrepreneur, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, most definitely pops first.

Regarded as one of the country’s pioneer event planners, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Founder/CEO Zapphaire Events catering to weddings, corporate, social and special events needs no introduction in the Nigerian event space. She applaudably stands tall as an industry leader.

Reliving her passion daily, the 45 year old who founded Zapphaire in 2003 takes delight in transforming the mundane to magical, creating lasting memories. Funke began her entrepreneurship journey after practising law briefly at Tie Communications, an advertisement agency. In 2003, she decided to follow her passion, hence, Zapphaire Events was birthed.

Zapphaire Events Group comprises Zapphaire Events Limited, The Zapphaire Training Academy and Decor by Furtullah.

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe’s amazing work has since garnered her an impressive list of clientele and accompanying recognition; being featured in Forbes, CNN’s Inside Africa,
listed in the BBC’s 100 Women series, among YNaija’s 10 Most Powerful Under-40s in Business, Future Award for “Entrepreneur of the Year” (2006), Go2girl Life Achievement Awards, Nigerian Events Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Events Industry, among others.

Funke is a graduate of Law, she bagged her degree from the prestigious University of Lagos. In 2000, she was called to bar after attending the Nigerian Law School.