Chief (Mrs) Oluwaremilekun Abeje Olowu, a lawyer, technocrat, retired civil servant and pioneer Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), reflects on her life, career, failed governorship ambition, the challenges women face in politics, her vision for Osun State and the importance of discipline, hard work and healthy living in this interview with TUNDE ADELEKE.
How do you feel turning 80?
I feel blessed to have reached the age of 80, although I would not say I am completely fulfilled because you cannot accomplish everything you set out to do in life. There are always things you wish you had done or achieved but could not. Nevertheless, I believe it is the grace of God that has kept me alive to this age, and I am grateful to Him.
What has kept you going over the years?
I think some aspects of my character and way of life are hereditary. I am an Ijesa woman, and we are known for our determination. No matter the circumstances, we want to keep going. I have also tried to live a reasonable and modest life, taking care not to do anything that would negatively affect my health, attitude or family. I believe that when you maintain a balanced lifestyle and have the grace of God, you stand a better chance of remaining strong and active.
You said you are grateful but not completely fulfilled. Could you explain what you mean?
Nobody can be completely fulfilled in life. There will always be things you want to do but are unable to do, or goals you want to achieve but cannot accomplish. That is what I mean by saying I am not completely fulfilled. It is not a negative feeling; it is simply an acknowledgement that life does not always turn out exactly as we envisage.
At 80, what else are you looking forward to achieving?
Nothing in particular. At this stage of my life, my greatest desire is to remain a Christian and, when God calls me home, to be able to meet my Maker. I am not looking forward to any other major personal achievement.
One of the things you could not accomplish was your ambition to become governor of Osun State. How do you feel about that now?
I have put that experience behind me. I ventured into politics, but my ambition did not materialise. That was one of the unfulfilled aspects of my life. Initially, I felt bad about it. I wondered whether I was inadequate or had failed to do enough to make it happen. However, I eventually came to terms with the reality that nobody can have everything in life. It is no longer a source of regret.
Looking back, what would you have done differently to make your political ambition succeed?
If I had known then what I know now, I might not have ventured into politics. I believed that if you were competent, had the financial resources to support your ambition, possessed good ideas and were genuinely interested in helping the people, you could put your energy into politics and achieve your objectives. I thought those qualities would be sufficient.
However, I discovered that politics does not necessarily work that way. Sometimes, people with their own interests may approach you simply because they want to use you for something. Competence, good intentions and hard work do not always determine the outcome.
Do you regret rejecting the offer to become Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s running mate considering the fact that the ticket eventually won the governorship election? You might have become governor later.
I do not regret it because I dislike playing second fiddle. That is simply my nature. I have a strong belief in my ability to do things independently. I believe in taking responsibility and being able to pursue my convictions without having to depend entirely on another person. That innate disposition would probably not have allowed me to be comfortable in the position of deputy governor.
Therefore, I have no regrets about not accepting the offer.
What initially attracted you to politics?
I have always been interested in public affairs and the welfare of others. While at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, I was an activist and served as vice-president of the Students’ Union between 1970 and 1972. I enjoyed bringing people together and discussing issues that affected their welfare. I believed that if I had the opportunity to occupy a position of responsibility, I could use it to improve the lives of my people. That conviction was what initially drew me into politics.
Could you tell us about your family background and educational journey?
I was born to parents who had no formal education. My father was a farmer and also had a barbing salon, while my mother was a trader. Although they were not educated, they were deeply influenced by the church and understood the importance of education. There was an elderly woman in our church, Mrs Tamuno, whom I admired greatly. Whenever she came to church, she dressed so elegantly that every woman seemed to wish for a daughter who would grow up to be like her.
My mother was particularly determined that I should take my education seriously. Whenever I brought home my results, she would put on her headscarf and go to the vicar’s house to discuss them. She would not simply accept my explanation of my performance. If I came second or third and felt proud of myself, she would ask whether I had failed Arithmetic and why I was celebrating when another pupil had come first. She knew how to deflate my ego and remind me that there was always room for improvement.
That attitude taught me to keep working hard. I was surrounded by people who valued education and understood its importance, including those who would have loved to attend school but never had the opportunity. My father was also a member of a local association in Ilesa called Egbe Popo (Akamo Onijo). He loved dancing and was exceptionally good at it. Watching him dance was a beautiful sight.
Which schools did you attend, and how did you eventually become a lawyer?
After primary school, I attended a secondary modern school in Ilesa. At the time, representatives came to encourage us to proceed to a teacher training college, but I was not interested in becoming a teacher. An uncle took me to Ibadan, hoping to help me find my feet there. My mother was reluctant to let me go because of the family’s previous experiences with the loss of children. She had given birth to five boys before me, none of whom survived. That was why I was named Oluwaremilekun Abeje, meaning that God had wiped away my mother’s tears.
When I arrived in Ibadan, my uncle took me to a petrol station owned by his tenant and left me there to learn how to dispense fuel. However, I was uncomfortable with the arrangement. I imagined what people from Ilesa passing by would think if they saw me working as a petrol attendant. I left the station and returned home. When my uncle discovered what I did, he was furious and told me to return to my parents. I went back to Ilesa the following day, and my mother scolded me for attempting to leave home when I could have remained there.
Eventually, I sat for the entrance examination into Form Two in Abeokuta and passed. I attended Abeokuta Girls Grammar School, where I completed my secondary education. I subsequently sat for the concessional examination into the University of Ife, gained admission to study Law and graduated in 1972. I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and completed my training in 1973. That was how I became a lawyer.
How did your career progress after law school?
I applied to the Federal Ministry of Justice and was employed as a state counsel. At the time, the ministry required at least a Second Class Lower degree for the position; candidates with Third Class degrees or passes were not eligible. I worked in different departments, including legal services, legislative drafting and the Department of Public Prosecutions. Later, during General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration, there was an effort to professionalise the civil service, particularly by allowing legal advisers to specialise in their respective fields.
I was posted to the Ministry of Aviation, where I spent about 13 years. During that period, I decided to specialise in aviation law. Aviation was considered one of the more desirable postings in the civil service, alongside defence, finance, transport and works. Although it was not necessarily financially rewarding, it provided opportunities to travel extensively. I travelled to many countries for official assignments, sometimes spending only two or three days in a place before moving on to another destination.
However, a change in leadership brought a difficult period. A new permanent secretary wanted me to return to the Ministry of Justice, but I resisted because I had formally chosen to specialise in aviation law under the applicable regulations. The disagreement became so serious that, one morning, I arrived at the office and found the door locked. I subsequently stayed at home for about 14 months. Fortunately, the official who had supported my specialisation earlier became the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He eventually summoned me to Abuja and directed me to return to the Ministry of Justice while my transfer into the administrative cadre was processed.
I spent about three months in the ministry reading before my transition was completed. I was subsequently posted to the National Emergency Relief Agency (NERA), where my career took a different direction.
How did you become the pioneer Director-General of NEMA?
When I arrived at NERA, I studied the decree establishing the organisation and realised that its activities were largely limited to distributing relief materials to people affected by disasters. I believed its responsibilities should be much broader. After attending a conference involving the American Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), I gained a better understanding of the comprehensive emergency management system we needed in Nigeria.
Emergency management requires coordination among several agencies. No single organisation can handle every disaster alone. Depending on the situation, you may need the police, the military, the Air Force, hospitals and other relevant institutions. A national agency should know the capacity of hospitals across the country, their specialities and the resources available to them. That way, when an emergency occurs, the appropriate institutions can be mobilised quickly and effectively.
I championed this approach for about two years before the government eventually agreed to transform the organisation into a full-fledged agency, the National Emergency Management Agency. I became its pioneer Director-General. That was a significant milestone in my career because I had been part of the process of conceptualising and advocating the institutional changes that led to its establishment. After serving for some years, I decided to retire and venture into politics, hoping to contribute to society from another platform.
You were considered a tough administrator. How demanding was the job, and why did people see you that way?
Emergency management is inherently demanding if it is to be done properly. You cannot predict the nature of the disaster that may occur. It could be a plane crash, a boat or shipwreck, communal clashes involving gun violence, a fire outbreak or flooding that sweeps away an entire community. The job requires determination, discipline and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
Perhaps because I was involved in developing the idea behind the agency, I was unwilling to accept excuses when things needed to be done. My legal background also helped me to insist on proper procedures. If my boss wanted me to do something, perhaps to assist a state governor, I would ask, “Can you put it in writing?” If it was properly documented and within the rules, I would proceed.
I worked hard and expected my staff to deliver results. We had four departments, including relief services and search and rescue, and I wanted everyone to take responsibility for their assignments. I was also conscious that, as a woman leading an institution in which many of the directors were men, I did not want anyone to judge my leadership through the lens of gender. I wanted my performance to speak for itself. Whenever we travelled, I would sometimes be ready to leave before my directors, and they would have to hurry to catch up. My philosophy was that nobody should be more committed to the job than the person leading the team.
People considered me harsh, but my staff knew that I fought for their entitlements and stood up for myself as well. I wanted the agency to succeed, and I could not tolerate mediocrity.
Were you equally determined during your governorship campaign?
Whenever I set out to achieve something, I work hard towards it. In those days, I could leave Abuja in the middle of the night and travel by road to Maiduguri. I did not like stopping unnecessarily. We also travelled to communities with difficult terrain. You cannot expect to serve people in such places if you are unwilling to endure discomfort or get your clothes dirty. I would not describe that attitude simply as toughness. It was my desire to be responsible, work hard and succeed. My staff understood that they could not remain idle while watching me work. The job could be physically demanding, but I believed that commitment was essential to achieving results.
How did you combine such a demanding career with raising a family?
I thank God that my decisions worked out well. My children did not attend Nigerian primary schools. They attended the Lebanese Community School, after which my husband took them to boarding schools abroad. While they were in school, I remained in Nigeria. During half-term breaks and holidays, I would visit them if my husband could not travel.
That arrangement helped me manage my responsibilities at work without the frequent school visits that many parents have to make. I also thank God that I did not experience major health challenges during those years, and my husband was supportive. He did not give me problems at home.
Why did you join the Peoples Democratic Party rather than the Alliance for Democracy?
It was largely a matter of circumstances. If the late Chief Bola Ige had been alive, he might have persuaded me to join the Alliance for Democracy. However, I had a relatively close relationship with the President at the time, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I discussed my political plans with him, and he encouraged me. We even agreed on the date I would retire from the civil service during a meeting in his office. Since he belonged to the PDP, I felt that was the appropriate party for me to join.
How would you describe your experience during the governorship primaries?
The then Minister of Internal Affairs was also close to President Obasanjo and supported my ambition. I established the Ilesa Restoration Group, bringing together members of the elite to discuss how we could improve the welfare and development of our people. Unfortunately, I cannot say precisely what went wrong. The party primaries were difficult, and we conducted them three times. On my way to the third exercise at Abaji, I had an accident and was taken back to the National Hospital in Abuja.
I felt the process had not treated me fairly, and I decided I wanted nothing more to do with it. They later came to my house in Abuja to plead with me to accept the position of deputy governor. That experience taught me a great deal about politics and the importance of understanding the people with whom one is dealing.
What challenges do women face in Nigerian politics?
One major problem is that many women do not assert their rights. Even when women occupy positions within political parties, they do not always ensure that the right people are appointed to positions where they can make meaningful contributions. Sometimes, people who can easily be manipulated are placed in party offices. I doubt whether as many as two per cent of our women can confidently look their male counterparts in the face and speak their minds without fear.
That is unfortunate. Many women behave as though men are doing them a favour by allowing them to participate in politics. The men do not always treat them fairly, yet some women appear content with whatever little they are given. Women must become more assertive, understand their rights and insist on meaningful participation in decision-making. Political inclusion should not be treated as a favour.
Looking at Osun State today, what would you have done differently if you had become governor?
Beyond road construction, which is something governors across the country undertake, I believe there are other opportunities for development that have not been fully explored.
When my children were younger, I loved travelling. Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi State was one of the places I admired. It demonstrated the possibilities of developing tourism around our natural resources.
I had a similar vision for Osun State. I wanted to develop Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls into a resort that could attract visitors, create employment and generate revenue. I was prepared to do whatever was necessary to make that dream a reality.
Our state does not have enough industries, and we need to explore other sectors capable of generating economic returns.
I acknowledge that the present governor has made progress in road infrastructure. In the past, some governors would commission boreholes while party supporters danced at the ceremonies. Although roads are important, we need a broader development agenda that creates sustainable economic opportunities.
Are you still involved in politics?
As long as you are alive, you remain interested in what is happening around you. However, I do not think my age would permit me to engage in active politics again.
At present, I sympathise with the All Progressives Congress (APC). I do not personally know all its members, but I vote for the party.
What is your assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration?
I believe he is doing reasonably well. Many of the reforms have brought hardship, and Nigerians are feeling the effects. People are hungry, and the economic situation is difficult. Nevertheless, I believe the reforms are intended to put the country on a better footing.
I also believe we need to examine our own attitudes towards work and productivity. When I visit my hometown, I still engage in farming despite my age. I do not undertake general farming, but I have planted economic trees on nearly 80 acres of land. I visit the farm once or twice a month to inspect the work and ensure that things are being done properly.
The President cannot come to Ilesa to farm for me. We must also take responsibility for our livelihoods.
Even a small space around one’s house can be used to grow vegetables for household consumption, with any surplus sold for income. Instead, some young people would rather ask for money than take up available work. I find that troubling.
Of course, the hardship is real, and government policies must be assessed by their effects on ordinary Nigerians. However, I believe the reforms could eventually lead to better outcomes if they encourage productivity and enable the country to make better use of its resources.
I am particularly interested in restructuring Nigeria. I believe it could benefit every part of the country, including the North, by encouraging people and regions to work, develop their resources and bring out their best.
From that perspective, I believe the President is doing well, and I wish him re-election.
Does that mean you support his re-election?
Yes. I believe what he has done and continues to do is in the interest of the country. Perhaps, if Nigeria had undertaken some of these reforms much earlier, we might have escaped some of the difficulties we are experiencing today.
What does your daily routine look like now?
I am still looking for activities that can keep me engaged. Pentecostal churches have different departments that provide opportunities for members to participate in various activities, although the Anglican Church, where I worship, has a different structure.
I attend church regularly. Beyond that, I do not have much to occupy me at the moment, except for my visits to my farm in Ilesa, usually once or twice a month, to see how the work is progressing.
Do you still read?
I still try to read, although I must confess that I have become a little lazy about it lately. I love reading novels, the Bible, health publications and other materials. I also enjoy listening to music, especially gospel music.
What is your favourite food, and how do you maintain your health?
I am careful about what I eat. I have not eaten outside my home in about 20 years, and I do not eat at parties. I still cook for myself.
I try to eat healthily, including fish, chicken and plenty of vegetables, particularly salads. I eat solid food occasionally, but I am generally mindful of my diet.
Can we still describe you as a fashionista at 80?
That is what people say, and I agree that I still love dressing well. Thank God I have the means to do so.
I enjoy wearing trousers, native attire and other clothes that make me look presentable. I believe in looking clean and well-dressed at all times. That has always been part of me, and turning 80 has not changed it.
Would you say longevity runs in your family?
Interestingly, no. My mother died relatively young, at the age of 63. That is why I am particularly grateful to God for allowing me to reach 80.
I hope to live until the age of 100, in good health. Above everything else, I want to continue enjoying God’s grace and remain strong enough to appreciate the life He has given me.
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