Many people may have heard the expression “Good help is hard to find,” but for Keys Restaurants Inc. operations chief Brady Keys, III, it’s not an issue.
One of his employees, Onifevu Ebanehita Oboro, was spotlighted in July as a Dare to Excel employee, a program that highlights the talent and diversity of the more than 5,000 team members at Fazoli’s restaurants nationwide. Winners receive recognition and a $50 gift card.
“She’s exactly what we look for in the young people we hire,” said Keys. “She is respectful, friendly to our guests and she responds to training very well.”
Onifevu, a recent immigrant from Nigeria, has been a cashier at Fazoli’s, a local Italian restaurant chain, for less than a year. “They took a chance by hiring me, a chance which I’m grateful for,” she said. Her role as a cashier has provided valuable insights into customer service and teamwork. “Working here has been a great learning experience. Everyone is respectful and interested in my stories from Nigeria. No one makes fun of my accent; instead, they encourage me to learn and grow,” she adds.
Onifevu moved to the United States in 2022 with her mother and siblings (her older sister lives in California). She and her family live with her mom’s brother in Plant City. The move meant more educational and career opportunities for Onivefu and her siblings.
One of her first challenges was understanding the language. While English is the official language of Nigeria, it took time to understand the slang used by younger Americans. “Even though I speak English it’s with a different accent because Nigeria was colonized by the British,” she said.
In America, the word “cap” isn’t just a head adornment. “I didn’t understand that it meant someone was lying,” she remarked. That’s not to say Nigeria didn’t have its slang terms. “In Nigeria when you say “how far” it means you’re asking someone if they’re okay,” she said.
If you asked “how far” to Onifevu, she’d tell you life is good.
“I’m heading into my senior year at Plant City High School and don’t want to miss out on senior trips and prom but I didn’t want the burden of paying for these things to fall on my mom,” she said. “Prom tickets alone are $90 and then to have the cost of makeup and a dress, it’s expensive. My job at Fazoli’s is helping me pay for these things.”
Onifevu’s ambitions extend beyond her job at Fazoli’s. She juggles a rigorous academic schedule, including ACT and SAT test prep and AVID classes, along with her part-time job. Her ultimate goal is to become an immigration lawyer, a decision inspired by her aunt, who passed away in Nigeria. “My auntie always used to tell me I was good about getting my point across so I want to be a lawyer in honor of her and to help other people the way I’ve been helped,” she said.
Despite the initial challenges of adjusting to American life, Onifevu is embracing the opportunities around her. “I like that everything is easy to access here,” she said of Plant City. “I feel more free and independent.” She plans to continue her education and hopes to make a positive impact on her community.
As she looks ahead to her future, she remains grateful for the support of her family and the opportunities she’s found in her new home. “I want to make my family proud and honor my aunt’s memory,” she said, reflecting on her journey so far.