The International Women’s Day slogan this year is #ChooseToChallenge. What does this mean for you?
For me, it means to break the barriers that have caged you in, to acknowledge your fears and overcome them. Having set yourself free, hold out a torch and light the way for other women to break free.
Has any woman’s achievement inspired you? Who and What was it?
Many women have inspired me over the years, my mom for one, from whom I learnt to harness the “Silent strength of a woman”. Lesson: Talk less, observe & listen more, and they’ll never see you coming.
But I cannot deny that I’m ever impressed by Serena Williams. A powerful tennis player who fought and beat all racial and gender barriers to become the undeniable champion of women’s tennis. Her tenacity, consistency, passion and sheer hard work are truly inspiring. She started playing professional tennis at the age of 14, and at 39, she maintains the same doggedness as she always had. She’s authentic, strong, bold and beautiful. What’s not to love?
If you were given a chance to build a superheroine you would love to have had as a child? What would their superpowers be?
First, let me briefly describe her looks….. she wears a white shirt and light blue jeans with black high heeled shoes (about 4inches). She has red hair, cut into a bob, and she wears big glasses with black frames. Now, her superpowers: She is super intelligent with mind-bending capabilities. She can tell truths from lies. To cap it all, she is stealth; with her platinum bow and arrow, she never misses her target.
Have you encountered any related challenges in your career along the way to achieving this role? And how did you overcome them?
I have been fairly fortunate not to have had too many related challenges. However, I have worked with two bosses that did not believe that women were made for leadership.
The first: He would rather talk to the male colleagues when it came to decision making than the women. His first time in Nigeria, I believe. It was intriguing. No matter how great your ideas were, it didn’t matter. This went on for a few months, the trends were there, and it was blatant. It wasn’t just my direct boss; there were a number of them in the organisation at the time. But the women on my team were strong. Unwavering, outspoken and diligent in our output, soon enough, minds were being changed. With time, I found myself in C-level offices called in to be listened to, and my appraisals reflected the same.
I wasn’t as lucky, though, with the second. I soon got married and was on maternity leave when I got a letter saying my position was made redundant. The funny reason, though, was “you did such a great job, there’s not much left to do”. Funny because only the men remained on the team. I guess they didn’t do such a great job 😊
All is never lost when you are focused and determined. I gave myself my deserved maternity leave and re-invented myself into an entrepreneur. Using all skills and network built over the years, I built what I could call mine! It wasn’t always great, but it was rewarding. It was the work of my hand, and I watched it grow steadily. Three years+ in, TEF came knocking, and I joined a virtually all-women team. I read out a prayer/mantra consistently when I walked through the HH gates each morning for the 1st week. I joined TEF: “Lord, keep me humble, keep me focused”. Add that to a Chairman who believes in women empowerment and leadership…. Today, I am the Director of Operations of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
What is one piece of advice you have for women who are doubtful of achieving more?
Believe in yourself, stay focused; everything else that is not constructive criticism is a distraction, pray, and soon enough, the world will pay attention. You were not made to be dominated.
What is one development do you wish to see in the next few years for African women?
African women leading at home (Africa) and international spaces, be it in sports, politics, arts, entertainment, NGO etc.
What is one achievement you are incredibly proud of?
As a working mum in heels, working 8 am-6 pm plus X more hours, with two toddlers, no driver, no house help, I was able to grow from a Manager position to a Director position in the space of 2 years. Thank you to my bosses and the Chairman, but all glory be to God. What’s next?
