WHAT gave birth to your TV show, the OMA Living Show?
OMA Living Show was born out of passion and purpose. By the virtue of my academic intelligence, everyone expected me to become a medical doctor. Anytime I run into my teachers and old schoolmates, they are always surprised at the path that I am currently on. First, I am a complete introvert and very reclusive but doing something public. This used to stress me a lot and cause me anxiety and depression. But I have become a lot more self-aware and emotionally empowered, so I know how to deal with these things now. It used to be very crazy going out to do my public speaking jobs and getting so stressed because of the too many people sitting before me, looking at me, clapping and all that. Crowd used to scare me to the point that it affected my mental health badly, but I am a lot better now as I now know how to deal with these things. I knew from a very tender age that I didn’t want to be a doctor. But teachers and of course our parents will push you to suit your grades. As a strong-willed person, I was very expressive of the fact that I didn’t want to be a doctor, no matter how prestigious it looks. First I can’t even stand blood and I hate hospitals till date. So along the line I had to follow the path that came naturally to me. A path that gives me joy, I am born to nurture, grow and inspire people. I am born to help people live. So, that was how the show started. First as a TV talk show instituted to inspire the uninspired. I am grateful for this path and journey.
How do you combine humanitarian services with your media profession?
OMA Living Show is very unique. I am not about glamour even though I look so glamorous. I am about impact and action. When OMA Living Show started, I was bothered because most of those who came on board to work with me all seemed to be focused on the glamour and fame, which I found very discomforting. I wanted to do more than just sit and talk. I kept saying it and tried my best to ensure that this vision was well communicated even in the show. So after the first season the show was produced and the buzz was all over, I told my teammate one day at the office; it was my assistant at the time, she is late now, that I wanted to do more and I could not claim to be inspiring the uninspired people by only talking and writing. These uninspired people don’t have the cable and most are not on social media and that these uninspired people must be reached beyond TV and social media. So the Right Stage Project started. We started with the public schools in the Federal Capital Territory and we have done so much and expanded to rural communities, IDP camps and many more. We have gone to four states in the country. And what we talk about on TV and social media, we physically do and this time, more because we empower them materially too.
So combining my humanitarian work and my media practice is easy because OMA Living Show is not just a media brand, but a social brand.
I am a media and social entrepreneur and there is no social entrepreneurship without humanitarian works.
For how long have you been handling this foundation together with your show?
The Right Stage Project is as old as OMA Living Show. OMA Living Show is just older by four months. They were both born in 2015.
What are the major activities you›ve executed with your foundation?
All my projects are major. I don’t consider any of it as being minor or small. This is because of the intensity of the emotions that I pour into everything, which I carry out or do. OMA Living Show and the Right Stage Projects have done a lot. From schools tours to social campaigns, community outreaches, empowerment programmes, inter schools contests, mental health advocacy, scholarships. All our works are major.
Through your foundation, you›ve led various campaigns against sexual assault, rape and domestic violence. What do you think are the factors making these issues thrive in Nigeria?
OMA Living Show and the Right Stage Project have led the campaign on social vices, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, jungle justice, campaign on suicide, anxiety and depression called S.A.D campaign and the campaign on balance. Many factors are responsible for these issues we try to tackle and see that they are curbed. Lack of education and awareness on these issues and their implications, lack of good parenting, lack of self awareness and discovery, religion, ethnicity and tribalism, culture and lots more are some of the major factors fueling this menace.
How do you think the government can curb the crisis?
The government should work with organisations and bodies like the OMA Living Show to ensure that massive awareness and education is carried out. People are ignorant. If a lot of people are aware of the adverse consequences of most of their actions on themselves and the society, I doubt they would be doing half of the things that they do. The government however cannot do this alone. Parents and religious bodies can assist too. Who in this government we even chant about? They are made up of people that make up this society. So you can’t even give what you don’t have. I also think that leadership positions should also be occupied by people who are already on their own doing works to make our society better.
As a mental health advocate, what do you think are the factors responsible for the surge in suicide rate in Nigeria?
Suicide is an issue in our country and the leading causes are anxiety and depression. You see, anxiety and depression are not just mood swings and temperament issues. They are illnesses. Though certain physical situations and conditions can trigger them, they are mainly illnesses of the mind and brain. The major cause is still ignorance. People who know nothing cannot help a situation. So ignorance is the major factor responsible. If we all know more, trust me, suicide would be curbed. I won’t say it is hardship, I know most people will expect me to say that. But wealthy people commit suicide too. We need to first of all understand mental illness and develop empathy to curb suicide. We all need to be more humane.
How best do you think suicide, anxiety and depression can be handled in Nigeria?
There is need for mass education, awareness and sensitisation to the major causes of suicide which are depression and anxiety. People need to know that they are not just mood issues. They are illnesses and certain people are more prone to them than others. There is a question I keep asking. Why do we have physical health education in our schools but no mental health education? This is a big error and shows lack of balance. One must be mentally and physically well to boast of good health. Why are we so physical in this part of the world, yet mental ability is the engine of our well being? Awareness, education, sensitisation, advocacy, support are the ways we can handle and curb anxiety and depression in Nigeria. We also need more well-trained and passionate psychiatrists, counsellors, therapists etc.
Our religious leaders and clerics need to be educated. Anxiety and depression are not demonic possessions.
What does feminism mean to you?
I am not a feminist. I am a traditional woman who believes in balance. Men and women are not equal as they are not even the same in make-up. However, it doesn’t mean that men are higher. They are not. But we have the social and traditional hierarchy that helps to organise us as the so-called higher animals. I believe in equity, and chivalry. I believe in gender roles at home.
What advice do you have for young ladies out there?
We young ladies should endeavour to be ourselves, live our purpose and set standards and boundaries. There are no limitations; we can be whatever we want to be. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, find you and do you. I am available to help. It is part of what I do. Become self-aware. Marriage is good and beautiful but marry when you are ready and make sure you marry a man whose values align with yours. Be very expressive about the values you live by and ultimately, be a person of character.
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