Oluwadamilola
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
[In my opinion], life as a woman here in Nigeria is a great one. You see women become the MDs and CEOs of companies and as Chairman and Member of Boards of Directors. This really challenges young women to aspire to be great and to one day sit in top positions. Having women in society is an answer to many prayers because it has been a great deal having them involved in societal affairs.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
The most significant barrier I see is still a mentality that women are weaker vessels and as such should not be allowed to handle some positions or things. Women are usually seen as second citizens after men and this makes gender equality tough. Also, some men see gender equality as a threat.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
Being the last born of my family and growing up to have all that I wanted has not [prevented me] from striving for greatness. I have always been very smart, even as a child, taking top positions in the class and being every teacher’s favourite. I graduated from university with good grades and I have always loved to practice my profession. I wrote my professional accounting (ICAN) examinations and I was awarded the Best Female Qualifying Candidate and the Second-Best Qualifying Candidate. That was a great achievement for me and I felt very proud of myself. Even as a professional accountant, I love and embrace entrepreneurship, which is why I am also a photographer (fashion photography).
Also, I founded a team ‘’KAIZEN’’ and our mission is to build the nations and help every entrepreneur achieve their business goals. Our KAIZEN has been in existence since 2016 and since then we have been able to reach out to over 200 entrepreneurs.
Describe yourself: "I am... a Golden Fish
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
I am passionate about success, seeing people succeed, and helping people succeed. In doing this, my platform KAIZEN help entrepreneurs and youths to get the right skill and knowledge to succeed. I am glad I am doing this and I have seen results so I wish to do more.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
I was awarded the Third Best Student of the Oyo State in mock examinations organized by Educational Advancement Centre EAC in 2013 and I got a scholarship from them.
That same year, I was awarded the Best Graduating Student at my school.
I organized the first KAIZEN program in 2016 ‘MAKE A MOVE’, which was a business training and skill acquisition program.
I organized a Business Summit as an undergraduate “CEO to CEO” in 2017, which had a lot of youths in attendance, within my school and across some states in the country.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, when I got the prize and award as the Best Female Qualifying Candidate and Second Best Qualifying Candidate in my ICAN professional examinations in 2019.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
During the time I was writing my professional examinations, I faced a great threat from my place of primary assignment. At a point, I thought I was not going to take my POP examination at the time I was supposed to because everything was actually looking like it was never going to work. First, I must say, I overcame it by prayer, then I built relationships with people I knew could stand for me, and they stood by me all through.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
Ibukun Awosika. I have followed and read her story and she inspires me a lot. She wasn’t a management or accounting graduate and the way she rose in this field is great. She is a Christian and she also strives to make an impact on the youth. I would really love to be in a great position and at the same time have time to make an impact on people coming up.
What's your definition of success?
Success is the accomplishment of purpose.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
Ohhh yeah, this will be a shout out to all the women and girls around me, they have done greatly well. I am surrounded by women that believe in bringing out the best in each other.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
A change!