Adebola
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your country / city / town / village? Any issues / challenges / exciting milestones?
One of the things I want to achieve with sharing my story is to change a few people's perspective of what being a Nigerian woman is. So, my story will be different from another Nigerian who shares because though we are one people, living in the same country or even from the same tribe, the individualism of our stories can be so unbelievable. Of course, there are average stories but the narrative keeps changing every day.
Once upon a time, all they raised a girl child to be was good, well-behaved and marriageable but times have changed. My mom didn't finish up with school but she almost single-handedly raised three girls, out of whom I am the last. My eldest sister is an entrepreneur and is married, my elder sister is mad about teaching kids and running organizations and I am an old artistic soul who works in communications, marketing and advertising. So, for a girl in my country, life is exciting, good, great, questioning, challenging and, of course, sucks sometimes.
What would you like the world to know about YOU? What life experience, challenge or achievement do you want to share? What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
I want the world to take several looks into my mind and headspace (via my writings - books, poems, articles and journals; via my talks and my actions). I have a sunny voice - spreading sunshine in the gloomy crevices of this world. I want to see young girls, who feel every negative and limiting emotion in the world, to see the best in themselves.
I am multi-talented, which isn't always a good thing because no one tells you what to focus on per time. So, I had issues with focus. My mind couldn't concentrate on a project, my hands wouldn't finish a written piece before my feet would start to dance to another heart tune but I needed to breathe and do stuff one step at a time. In doing things one step at a time, I found how to stay focus. I found strength to stick with a thing and see it through. Most importantly, I found how these series of talents, fit like pieces in a puzzle.
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
I am very passionate about happiness, contentment and fulfillment. These are the reasons I do the things I do, the reasons I want to do the things I want to do. These are the reasons I am who I am.
I write because it makes me happy, satisfies my longing to contribute my voice to the conversations that matter to my heart and to at least one person out there. I care about poetry because, with little sentences, a soul could be lifted and a broken heart mended.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
My mother, my sisters and my girls! They are not from this world. They are selfless, supportive, wise and skillful. They keep pushing me (most times, without using words) to be better than me right now.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... Hilarious!