Any woman who wants to go into politics should have another address —Professor Modupe Adelabu, former dep gov, Ekiti State

Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu is a former deputy governor of Ekiti State, former Chairperson of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board and a professor of Educational Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, the chairman, National Board of Technical Education speaks about her experience in government and why she went back to the classroom.

What was growing up like for you?

It was a very interesting stage of my life. Even till date, every stage of my life appears to me very interesting and exciting. I have never seen life from the gloom side. Even if things appear gloomy and dark; I always see light in everything. I grew up in my hometown, Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. I had my primary education and at age 12, I got admission into Ekiti Anglican Girls Secondary School, we were later merged with the boys and it became Christ School. It was an interesting time, I enjoyed every minute of it. I learnt how to live in a community; we had time for games, siesta and prep (when we had to read). Looking back, it was total education. You work, play and read. We were also taught how to use our hands in many ways, even as girls, we must go to school with cutlass and hoe. I was in the drama group, young farmers club, literary and debating society and so on.  From there I went for my HSC then proceeded to the University. I enjoyed my child hood; I enjoyed my parents though they were Spartan disciplinarian. I am glad we had that type of childhood, it took us through life.

Why did you go into academics?

Don’t forget I am from Ekiti. There is no way you will be from Ekiti and not want to read and continue to read and read. It is not a fable that Ekiti people love to read. Maybe that is our passion. When you want to read, you either read to become a lawyer, doctor, engineer or just continue reading until you are satisfied. So, going into academics was not something unusual even in my family, out of seven children, two of us are professors, another has a doctorate degree. After my first degree, I just decided to continue reading and that was how I found myself in academics.

How were you able to combine the home front with your career?

I was married even before I graduated. I got married at the age of 24, luckily I had a very supportive husband. I call him a king among men. He would rather do some chores for me to allow me to read and take care of the children but when I graduated, he left the home front totally to me believing that if I could manage him, I could manage the home. There was nothing too difficult about it.  Any woman that has the support of her husband will go places. And also any man that has the support of his wife will go places. You can’t manage anything without the support of your spouse so I want to give the credit to him and also thank God for giving him to me. I was able to manage the home seamlessly because of him. My children went to some of the best schools in the country and to the glory of God they did very well and I thank God for where they are today. Also, being in academics, the raw material you need is your brain so you have to read and read. You can read in the library, in the office or at home. I think it is one of the easiest and most interesting jobs you can do. I love it and that is why I am back in the classroom.

What was your experience as deputy governor of Ekiti State like?

I went to government first as the chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and thank God my governor knew where I could fit in, it was like putting a round peg in a round hole because apart from being an educationist and a teacher, I had done a lot of research and consultancy for the World Bank, National Teachers Institute and SUBEB in many states. I have moved with parents, teachers and stakeholders in the course of my career. So I was able to fit in and later transited to deputy governor without any problem. Also, don’t forget that I served in my state. I know the tradition of my people, I live with them and among them so it wasn’t strange to me.

Politics is not the way we look at it from afar, it is simply about how you allocate virtues and values to people. Who gets what and when are they supposed to get it? And if you are able to help your government in all these areas there won’t be a problem. I went there to serve and I enjoyed every minute of it.

What did you miss when you left office?

I didn’t miss anything. I went back to my job, that is what I love to do. I served under a governor whom though I am much older than him, I saw him as a mentor. Somebody who could do the job and do it well and I went there to complement his effort. Having done that I was ready to go back to my work. I became deputy governor through divine intervention. We need to have faith in God to know that He is the one at the wheel of our vehicle. I could remember that Dr Fayemi came to my house when he wanted to contest for governor and was scouting for a deputy. He wanted me to be his deputy but I said no because my husband was sick at the time and I didn’t want to leave him because I saw it as my primary duty to take care of him. He became governor and had a deputy that was like a sister to me. Few months after he became governor he asked me to come and become the chairman of SUBEB by then, my husband had passed on. I accepted and somehow along the line, I became his deputy. When we lost our second term bid, I went to church that Sunday morning. People thought I had not heard that we lost but I went to thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve. After that, I had peace. Then, I went back to my work. I still teach and supervise thesis. Politics should not be seen as do or die. As a politician you should have a second address and hold tight to it. If politics beckons to you and you fit in good otherwise go back to your work. Thank God I have another address. I was equipped to go back to my job and if I want another job, I will get it. By the grace of God, I didn’t go to Ekiti as a poor person; I was already a professor and an international consultant. Honestly, I am telling you the truth, I have not missed anything. In fact, now, I am free as a bird to fly where I can.

What are the chances of Nigerian women in the 2019 election?

Men are very territorial about politics. They think it belongs to them. Incidentally, my PhD Thesis is on politics and I have extensively searched for the meaning of politics and in searching, I didn’t find that it had  gender, it is neither male nor female but the male populace have taken over the territory of politics and will resist or limit women involvement in politics. Unless we women decide to help ourselves nobody will help us. The Bible says the kingdom of God suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force. So, we women must take it by force because even your spouses won’t support you not because of fear of the woman being promiscuous but for fear that she might be attacked. So they are trying to defend or protect their wives, sisters and daughters because of the fear of the unknown.  Now, we are asking for 35 per cent representation, to me that is a token. I think the field should be made open; we can have 70 or 80 per cent. We are being rigid by saying we want 35 per cent what if government wants to make it 50/50.Women should not be afraid to go into politics. Once you have earned the respect of your husband and children, they will continue to trust you. Also, women should not go into politics empty handed. You need educational and financial empowerment because Nigeria politics is about money; you need to pay for forms and other logistics. As long as we look to men for funds we won’t get far. So, any woman who wants to go into politics should first of all have another address; make sure you have the trust, confidence and respect of your family. Without the backing of your family, don’t go. You can always coax, plead with your spouse to go into politics but don’t ever defy him to do it. Even if he is not as rich as you are, earn his support and respect.

What advice do you have for young people?

Nowadays people don’t read again. I am very nostalgic about what used to be in the past. You must borrow a book from the library and read. Today they don’t read rather they will be on Facebook and so on. They should learn the habit of reading. Parents too should not over indulge their children, set restrictions on when and how to use the internet. Allow the children to task their brain. Over-indulgence is not love. We are spoiling the future for them. Also, this generation should go back to God and understand religion not religiousity. Go back to God and let Him direct your path.

Also listen to your parents, obey them and respect them. Above all, work hard, get education and do honest business. If you look for shortcut, you will get caught and they will be in trouble. If you want to go into politics have a first address while politics should be a second address. Before Awolowo went into politics, he was already a lawyer.  Finally, have role models amidst people who have worked hard to get to the top and allow them to mentor you.