Can you give us brief background information about yourself?
I was born few years ago to the late Pa, Fawole and Moteleola Fadairo. I went to Ilesa Teachers Training College before I proceeded to Ogun State College of Education. I became a teacher and got married to Chief Ariyo Ayanwale Ajaja. After some time, I went back to University of Ibadan where I obtained my B.Ed, M.SW, M.Ed and PH.D in education. I taught for 18 years before I decided to opt out of teaching because the challenges I was facing were greater than the proceeds of the teaching profession. I decided to go into business and started a textile business and later established a school, Beechford International School. After wards, I decided to assist women, that was what motivated me to go into politics.
What informed your choice of career?
It just worked that way. During our own days, there was nothing like Guidance and Counselling, maybe if it was in existence then, I could have chosen another career but then teaching was a noble profession and men were always looking forward to marrying teachers because they want people who will be able to take care of their children. Hardly can you see the children of a teacher not doing well. I didn’t give it a second thought. It was the in-thing then and then government was trying to recruit teachers and were encouraging people to go into the profession so that was how I got there not because it was predetermined.
What price did you pay to get to where you are today?
I want to say that to the glory of God, I got married to my friend, brother and father. He understood me, he was patient with me. He told me he wanted to go out there to look for money but I must stay at home to watch over the children so, he made everything so comfortable for me. When we met, he was happy that I was a teacher because he was a banker who had to leave home in the morning and come back late at night. So, he didn’t want a situation whereby the wife too will be away from home and the children will be at the mercies of house help. I didn’t have any problem. Whenever school closes, I will be at home nurturing the children. Before I retired and went into business, my last born was old enough to do some things on his own. I would say, there was not much challenges because God made everything so easy for me. There was no stress in getting to the National Assembly. It was God ordained. Our party was about two and a half months old when I contested. People did not give me a chance. They did not give our party a chance at all but to the glory of God, four of us were elected into House of Representatives and seven to House of Assembly.
What was your experience like when you joined politics?
Initially, I was timid and naive. I didn’t have the courage to stand up and talk to politicians. Teaching in the classroom is different from campaigning so it was not easy initially. I am a reserved person so it was not easy to relate with the politicians at first but when I was picked to represent my constituency, I prayed to God and He empowered me. The first time I spoke it was not easy but after some time, I got used to it.
Should married women go into politics?
We need each other, if your husband is not in support, the society will not even support you. Politics shouldn’t separate you from your home; it is an added advantage that you are a married woman. That I am married and have a home worked for me. There was a time that the people of my constituency wanted me to do somethings for them; they went to meet my husband in his office that he should talk to me. It is very important for your husband to support your political ambition. My husband supported me in every way, financially, emotionally and so on.
For how long have you been married and what is the secret of your success?
I have been married for 35 years to the glory of God. The secret I will say is God. There is nothing anybody can do except you have the backing of God. God has been my support and help. Marriage is another school where you can never graduate but with patience, prayer, endurance and cooperation of my husband, I am where I am today. But the most important thing is knowing who you are and to live your life the way you want to live it; not listening to gossip or criticism from outside because definitely it will come. I hate listening to people telling me stories of what my husband is doing outside. I tell them that I didn’t make them his watchdog. I don’t want anyone to tell me what will make me unhappy. When we were newly married, I kept my home away from family and friends. I didn’t allow friends to interfere in my marriage and it really helped me a lot.
As a mother and grandmother, how do you think we can tackle moral decline in our society?
The moral decline in our society is very scary. I look at it as an educationist, social worker and as a Guidance Counsellor. The major factor is that the home is not what it is supposed to be anymore. Mothers have become breadwinners and there is nobody to monitor the children anymore. In some homes, the father and mother leave home very early in the morning and their children get to see them only at weekends. Tell me, what will the house girl teach the children? It is not the fault of the parents, it is the way the society is. Things are not what they used to be, things are getting harder every day. Also, the issue of the internet is there. When parents are not around to monitor their children they will be exposed to wrong information. Parents should redefine their priorities because our children are our future. I want to thank God that when I was raising my children, there was no money for me as a teacher but I was able to nurture them the way I wanted to the glory of God. So, the only solution is that government must do what it needs to do. Parents too must do what they need to do. If the government and parents perform their responsibilities, the environment will be better. When the environment is better, we will have a better tomorrow.
Who do you think is to blame for the rot in the educational system? Government or the teachers?
It all boils down to government not performing its responsibilities. If teachers are paid as at when due, if the money meant for salary is not being diverted to something else, then there won’t be any problem. A teacher that does not eat, there is nothing he wants to teach. Even if you force him to go to class, there is nothing he can teach the students. You can’t work on an empty stomach. Also it is not that the students can’t do well; it is the environment that they found themselves in that is the problem. I own a private school and I know how well my students are faring. We have many qualified teachers in the public schools but government is not paying them as at when due. There are no incentives for teachers and everybody wants his reward on earth not in heaven any longer because we all go to the same market. If you want them to be committed, they should be well paid.
What do you think the womenfolk can do to ensure that they have a better outing in the 2019 elections?
Honestly, I feel there should be a forum where women can gather together and be told that they need to come out. Women can do things better than men. They are compassionate. If we decide to stay at home and continue to watch them, this is the way they will continue to do it. Nothing is going to be given to us if we don’t get involved. I encourage women to come into politics. Your own politics will be what you want it to be. So, our women should summon up courage and join politics. In Accord, we have increased women’s quota to 40 so that we can have more women in elective positions in 2019. Just register at your ward and attend meeting regularly so that they too can be nominated for election. Nobody can stay at home and expect appointments. Personally, if God asks me to contest, I will because I know he will support me.
What advice do you have for young women?
Many young women are losing their integrity and values and honestly, when I look at some young girls and ladies, I feel sad and terrible. Many of them don’t have self esteem; they are jumping from one man to another. I want to appeal to them that there tomorrow is good. Times are hard now but it won’t continue like that. They should have self esteem and should be focused. Enjoyment of five minutes can lead to total destruction. Many have lost of their lives or not where they should be because of one mistake or the other. God will help them. Your tomorrow is great depending on what you want for yourself.
and then