When women become inspired, no one can stop them —Dr Arene Violet

Dr Violet Arene is a former General Manager of the Total Quality Management Development Department of the NNPC, the Global Youth Matron of Africa Women Leadership Organisation; a non-governmental organization that is into women empowerment, an author, an ordained minister of God and an independent TV producer and presenter for the Voice of Eve Women’s enlightenment programme. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on why she is passionate about women’s empowerment.

 

Educational Background

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in History, second Class Upper division at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria in 1966. I did my Post Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1981. For my Masters Degree in Education (Counseling & and Students Personnel), I attended Arizona State University, Tempe, Phoenix Arizona, USA,  in 1976, while I did my Ph.D. in Education (Guidance & Counseling) at the  University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1981.

 

Work experience

I have over sixteen years of remarkable experience in the Federal Ministry of Education rising to the Status of Assistant Chief Education administration Officer. Twenty years of distinctive Service in the Oil and Gas industry (NNPC), exiting as a General Manager working directly with the C.E.O for five years. Six years of distinctive service as Group Training Co-ordinator of the Industrial and General Insurance Co. (IGI). With twenty three years experience in the Ministry of Christ Jesus, retiring as Zonal Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2015. I am now in the Non-Governmental Sector (AWLO) as Global Youth Matron and member of the B.O.T. of AWLO. I had a very successful stint in the Communication Industry as TV Presenter, first for NTA Network for six years, presenting the family programme ‘Kith and Kith and today as an Independent Producer/Presenter of the Voice of Eve TV, a women’s enlightenment and advocacy programme; dedicated to advancing the cause of gender parity, and women in leadership. I am also the founder of the Voice of Eve Foundation an (NGO), and running its projects – Voice of Eve TV, and the Young Women Innovators, for entrepreneurship and character development of young women.

 

Why we had AWLO Conference in Atlanta

The objective of that particular conference was to reposition in the Diaspora with the launch of the U.S.A Chapter in Atlanta as well as to mobilise all African women andwomen of African descent, and partners, a mobilisation that brought us together with Ambassador Andrew Young, Mrs. Martins Luther King and so on. We also had the opportunity of learning in all pertinent dimensions from experts: inspiration, and motivation of women to discover their purpose and unleash their power. The conference was also aimed at learning what leadership is all about, the role ofwomen in it and the quality of AWLO’s brand of leadership- Positive Purpose-Driven Leadership as the only brand that can bring transformation to Africa to bail it out of the quagmire of   under-achievement.

 

On whether it is possible to achieve gender parity in Africa

Gender gaps will always be there, but they do not stop purpose-driven women. There were some prognosis stating 2030 as a time of appreciable gender parity, but that is wrong. When women become inspired- no one can stop them. When a woman knows her worth, she will become unstoppable. When a woman knows her purpose, she will settle for no less. No one can stop women who wake up and embrace their destiny. They will be like a moving avalanche defying all barriers by their passion and excellence. As you know, there can be no discrimination against excellence. Inspired women will continue to break the glass ceiling. It is not gender parity; but women’s resurgence and renaissance.

 

Role of women in fight against gender inequality

Women need to discover themselves and their God-given talents. They need self-determination and they need to free themselves from stereotypical socially induced docility. They need to become ambitious to fulfill their destinies. They need to discover their purpose, and to fire up to stand up to fulfill their purpose against all barriers. They need to make recourse to God Almighty who is the greatest empowerer of women the ally ofwomen in procreation and redemption. God answers woman’s prayers. Also, women should train their sons to respect women. And women should be friendlier to women. Women should support one another in solidarity.

 

The prices I paid to get to the top

I defied barriers. I believed in myself. I determined to be somebody. I rejected, resisted and ran away from early marriage imposition. I worked hard, believed in excellence and was committed to be the best. I ran to God; surrendered to Him and found a great ally, empowerer and bulwark. I made prayer my strength.

 

How AWLO can equip women to take their rightful place

AWLO can galvanise all womento wake up, stand up to the challenges and unleash their power by doing what it is doing today. Fiercely champion this organisation and movement, recruit amazons with like minds in the subject, push solidarity and strategic alliances, delve into leadership education, training and development, bridge over and hug closely the next generation female leaders, (AWLO Youth Council). AWLO will drive the process of leadership education and development through its Leadership Finishing School and Academy in strategic partnerships, drive community service experience to grow the heart of motherhood, conferencing and sharing education and experiencing together.

 

Women representation in the scheme of things in Nigeria

Women are not fairly represented. In fact, women are hardly factored in— only as tokenism. It is unfortunate. Many Nigerian men feel threatened by the thought of mainstreaming women in political agenda and also by the enlightenment of women. It is an unfortunate affliction of Insecurity and selfishness. Prepared and thoroughly trained women can help out Nigeria in governance from its surfeit of chauvinistic failures.

 

Why Africa Women Leadership Organisation was founded by a man

AWLO is a calling. God gave it to a man because God knows what is expected of the Leadership of AWLO namely: A grounded tenet in the complementarity of both male and female. A powerful statement that most good and secure men who know the value of loving motherhood are not against the ascendancy of women in their rightful places. A remarkable advantage, and very impressive and re-assuring to have a respectable husband, father and son of a woman leading the most momentous female movement to mainstreamingwomen in leadership in society. This man is a role model with great understanding.

 

On the refusal of the National Assembly to pass the Gender Equality Bill

My view on the continual rejection of gender equality bill by the National Assembly is pity! It smacks of encrusted conservatism, bigotry, ignorance, selfishness, insecurity; disregard and contempt for their daughters, disrespect and lack of honour to their mothers. A choice for continuing suppression of women regardless of the negative consequences.

 

Advice to Nigerian women

Nigerian women, please, sign up with AWLO.Go to God, your best friend and supporter. Get your right purpose. Be unstoppable, make sure you are the best where you are, make sure you lose no opportunity to prove the best, give leadership everywhere, nothing that purpose plus passion plus excellence plus your God will catapult you to the highest level. You will be divinely empowered and divinely promoted.

 

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