Why I joined politics
Passion, I would say. Basically, I have always had the tendency to speak up for justice. I remember when there were incessant black killings by the police in the U.K., particularly at the Stoke Newington Police Station then. For instance, a Nigerian had been arrested and was dead, within 20 minutes, even before he was taken into the police station, I, with a few others, organised pickets at the police station until the first black female Member of Parliament and incumbent shadow Home Secretary, The Right Honourable Diane Abbott MP, representing Hackney North and Stoke Newington joined and also made purposeful representation up to a logical and successful conclusion in the matter. Coming back to Nigeria, my cousin; Mrs Kudirat Obayan, invited me to the then Isowopo Leaders meeting. I saw the lack of government impact in my community and the need for my people to have a voice. That triggered me and today, the rest is history.
My experience as a commissioner in Ondo State
I must say the experience was beautiful. I worked with the best of the best and that is none other than His Excellency, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the selfless hardworking comrade governor. He always emphasised the need to only embark on programmes that were for the greater good of all. A medical doctor by profession but a politician by divine calling, He gave me the enabling environment to carry out my duties effectively. Initially, I was appointed to the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperative Services and later to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. I enjoyed working with women and children and with families in particular. It gave me joy that I could make a difference in the lives of women, I was able to have a firsthand feeling of what was happening in the rural communities and I was able to impact on the younger ones. The social development aspect was the most challenging, impactful and emotional. So many times I had to hold back tears. I worked with a very good team headed by my hardworking and tireless Permanent Secretary, a beautiful woman inside and out, Pharm (Mrs) Funmilayo Osundolire JP. Kudos must be given to Her Excellency, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, the then First Lady of Ondo State, who gave me the free hand to run the ministry without interference unlike most first ladies. She regularly referred to the ministry as a miniature state and was always there to support the ministry as the need arose.
The price I paid to get to where I am today
The first price was the loss of privacy. My life stopped being mine and the immediate family’s anymore. My meagre earnings became everyone’s and I had to offer assistance to everyone who sought it. I also paid the price of hard work, perseverance, commitment, dedication, merit and loyalty.
What motivated me to go into politics
Like I said, it was the need to make a difference in the community where I came from. There was a burning passion to serve my people. I got involved gradually and in the process I became the House of Representatives candidate (Akoko North East/North West Federal constituency) of the Labour Party in 2007. An election I won but was cheated out at that time. The mandate was restored at the tribunal but the case ended up in the appeal court with a verdict of “As meritorious as this case is, the case was filed 24 hours out of time.” I took it in my stride. It is called paying one’s dues politically.
Why I moved from PDP to APDA
Being a woman has not affected me because I am a strong woman. I do not hide under gender inequality. As a woman, I earned the name ‘Bulldozer’ in the midst of men. Politically, you have a leader. To me, loyalty is key. I have a mentor, Dr Mimiko, whom I aligned with in the PDP. I moved with him to the Labour Party and then back to the PDP with him. I always had my say in all the parties I have belonged to. Today, I am the National Treasurer of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) and that move was to create a departure from the old order. There is need for space to enable the women (30 per cent) and youths (25 per cent) participate effectively in the political process. The physically challenged (5 per cent) are not left out. This new order provides a platform for total inclusion.
Combining politics with home front
God has been faithful.
How I empowered women as a commissioner
We had different programmes for the women starting from the monthly ‘Gbebiro’ (that the family may stand); meeting of women with the First Lady which my ministry anchored. This was a particularly popular one as it taught the women values in keeping the home front together, giving their children qualitative training, distribution of equipment that empowered the women to enhance their already acquired skills, health checks and so on. Apart from these, there were regular skill acquisition programmes by the ministry. We were able to train women to be self sufficient and also settle them into doing something productive with the skills acquired. During my time as a commissioner, I made sure that adoption was done regularly thereby, settling homeless kids into families as soon as possible to give them a new lease of life and also bring succour to the women in need of children. I operated an open door policy which ensured that I was able to reach out to as many people as possible. Of particular joy was that I was able to save many homes/families through counselling and assistance.
On whether women are well represented politically in Nigeria
No. I think women can be better represented in the political space. There is a lot of noise about the 35 per cent affirmative action, MDG3, but the truth is we are not anywhere near that. All over the world, women form at least 50 per cent, if not more of the voting populace but they do not have adequate representation in decision making or policy formulation. In Nigeria, we are making progress but there is still a long way to go. Thank God for my gender sensitive governor, Ondo State had 101 female appointees under Dr Mimiko’s watch when I was Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
Most defining moment so far
Really, my defining moment was when my team was able to secure a number of convictions on rape cases particularly on the paedophiles. That was a great breakthrough for me because rape is one of the most dehumanizing crimes, yet, very difficult to proof. Onus of proof is on the victim and also our culture makes it seem so shameful, the victim rarely wishes to speak out. In the ministry under my watch, we were able to carry out awareness campaigns and sensitise the people enough to come out and speak up till we were able to get a few convictions. That was really the high point.
Lessons life has taught me
Life has taught me to put God first in all I do. To be patient while persevering, to remain calm yet focused, to always be loyal and sincere and most of all, to always show character in all I do.
On my plans for the 2019 general elections
As at yet, a lot. The political space is still a bit cloudy. By January, 2018, I will give a definite answer.
Advice for young women out there
My advice to the young women out there is to make sure they get good education, remain focused, always stay on the right side of the law even in those moments of youthful exuberance. Most of all, I do wish to see young women getting involved politically. No one will come into our homes to fetch us out, we have to come out and get involved so we can make a difference and create a new Nigeria, the Nigeria of our dreams.
and then