Nihinlola Latona is a writer of seven books, a speaker, a humanitarian, and the founder of The Prepared Woman Institute (TPWI). She is also the founder of the Movement against Prostitution Leadership Course and the co-founder of Starlight Ambassadors Development Foundation. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her humanitarian journey and her work with women.
AS an Economics graduate and Nigerian Breweries employee, you pride yourself as a writer, speaker, humanitarian, and leader. How were you able to acquire these skills?
I gained skills by being passionate about purpose. In everything I do, my focus is on excellence and to stand out. I cannot only rest on what I’m being taught in the university. So, I invested a lot in personal development and branding. I’ve been promoted several times because I thrive on learning and love to be outstanding. I learn everywhere and from everyone.
I started writing when I found there is a lot in me to say to the world, but the platform was not available then — and writing brought other things you see today. I can speak naturally. I’m very confident in speaking, but I had a very poor background in English Language. However, my quest for purpose and fulfilment made me develop myself. Now, not only do I write well, but I’m also an editor, proofreader, and publisher.
In the course of your humanitarian work, you recently founded The Prepared Woman Institute TPWI. What motivated you to found it?
The institute is about educating, empowering, and enlightening women to fulfil their purposeful high calling in excellent and exceptional ways. TPWI is an evolving purpose, by this I mean, it has not just started. During my undergraduate days, I founded a similar vision — then it was called, Ladies of Virtues Explorers (L.O.V.E.) Ministries.
I’ve been passionate about women becoming great because I grew up in a family of four − two daughters and my parents. And I witnessed a whole lot of degrading statements about female children. Ever since I found purpose, not only was I motivated to be great, but I’m also committed to ensuring everyone around me, especially women, become great too.
What is the institute currently working on, and how would it impact the beneficiaries?
The institute is an academy of learning where women — irrespective of age or phase — can enrol and become trained to achieve excellence and exceptionalism in every facet of life. It is an institute for personal, social, intellectual, and spiritual transformation. The beneficiaries will be imparted and impacted to thrive in a meaningful and outstanding life.
One of your engagements with women is through the Movement against Prostitution Leadership Course. What inspired your work with prostitutes, and how is the movement impacting their lives?
I wrote the leadership course about 14 years ago and I was inspired when I found out that lots of ladies believe that prostitution is a way of life to resort to after several trials. Meanwhile, prostitution is not only a last resort for some men and women but also another source of income for some. So, we see well-learned corporate people engaging in prostitution. Also, prostitution is not gender-based. A man too can be a prostitute, but it is mostly known among women.
Talking about love meeting passion, when I married my husband, I discovered he has been empowering some communities in the movement against prostitution and he won an award as Top 100 Soul Winner for converting over 1,000 prostitutes to church in a year. Most, if not all, of our passion and purpose align, and this is what made us found a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in the earliest years of our marriage, called Starlight Ambassadors Development Foundation. By the grace of God, we also serve as pastors in Higher Life Christian Ministries.
Movement against Prostitution (M.A.P.) is a leadership course that would raise armies of women who will fight against the lies and deception that the definition of being a woman starts and ends with her body. It intends to chart the godly pathway to sexual chastity and purity.
How do you think men could help in addressing or curtailing prostitution in society?
Men can help by becoming good role models, mentors, and coaches to women. Some men cannot stand a woman becoming a leader. If you don’t believe in me, how will you invest in me? I was fortunate to be encouraged by my father — of blessed memory — who believed so much in his female children, and I have men in society who believed in me as well. I’ve seen men abuse and lure young ladies into prostitution. If these men had discouraged them, a lot would have been changed in their mindsets.
The Nigerian patriarchal society women find themselves in today has been a major challenge to their success and development. If you were the Minister of Women’s Affairs, how would you address the situation?
I’m already the Minister of Women’s Affairs (laughs). In everything I do, I minister to women. But I got what you mean in the political setting of it.
I believe in the power of transformation, especially of mindset and mentality. I won’t just set up an entrepreneurial or soft skillset that women can acquire — I will first ensure that they are enlightened by making the right intellectual and psychological education available to them. This enlightenment will orient women and enable them to understand that they are to achieve greatness not as a comparison to a man but as a challenge to the status quo. The patriarchal society is an ideology that started with a mindset. We would address the root of the matter by negating that ideology with a better ideology, and it starts by re-engineering their mindset too.
With the way Nigeria is now, do you think women could be trusted with key political offices?
Women have been trusted with more than political offices and they are doing excellently well. They are not only shattering the glasses of limitation, but also lifting the roof and turning bungalows into duplexes. So, yes.
As a writer, what does writing mean to you? And how are you using your writing to impact the society?
Writing is my life — even when I write or reply to the emails of my colleagues at work. When I’m joyful, I write. On some not-so-good days, I write. I’ve written and published seven books. I must write every day. Even if it’s “God is good”. I write to educate women. I can write poems, songs, etc. So far it could transform lives, I’m ready to write.
What is the general theme(s) your books are centred on? List the books you have written and tell us something about the one you love most.
My books are centred on women’s transformation, leadership, family, and Christianity (ministry). My books are ‘Queenly Expressions’, ‘Coloring Your Offspring’, ‘Speak Forth Series (Speak Forth Your Marriage, Wealth, Health), ‘Golden Apples’, and ‘MAP Leadership Course’. The one I love most is ‘Queenly Expressions’.
You recently celebrated your birthday on May 9. How did you celebrate it? And what were your birthday wishes?
It was a triple-impact celebration. I launched two books and unveiled The Prepared Women Institute. My birthday wish was for God to continually grant me the strength, capacity, resources, and relationships to live a life of global impact.
What are the three things you think you have not been able to achieve at your age? And do you think you would be able to achieve them on your next birthday?
I thought that at my age I would have gotten my PhD (chuckles). Well, there are lots I would have achieved, but I give glory to the Lord of my journey. Everything is fine, and I’m grateful to God. Age is just a mindset.
What is your advice for women who are trying to discover themselves and excel in their work/career?
Dear Woman, you are unique, original, and priceless. Any definition that degrades you should be trashed. One day at a time, one step in your journey with consistency and dedication will take you to the future you desire. Deal with your insecurities, fears, and disbelief. Embrace your authenticity. Learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Let God be first in all your dealings always. Have rugged and dogged faith in Him. Avoid pressures that negate your purpose. Be prepared in gaining skills and attaining expertise. Define relationships and sustain them in honour and healthy boundaries.
Live a well-transformed life. Be healthy spiritually, physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and psychologically. Dream big, no one charges for it.
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