Omolola
“Life can be unfair at times, but never lose faith in yourself and your ability to achieve greatness. Never let anyone put you down, and never let peoples’ criticism get to your heart.”
All within one decade, Omolola, or “Lola”, and her family moved from Nigeria to Gambia, to the UK and later America. Moving around the world taught Omolola to be adaptable to change; it also taught her to be patient and understanding of the different perspectives around her. She continues to navigate life with empathy and faith, determined to be a voice for the disadvantaged. This drive, combined with her passion for education, led Omolola into a career in public health as a nurse. She is particularly interested in pushing for gender equality, girls’ education and social justice-related issues. Omolola is an inspirational leader and advocate who approaches everything and everyone with an open heart. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
O: My name is Omolola, which means "Child Is Wealth." People call me Lola. I am 44 years old, a wife, and mother of two wonderful children (Sam, 18 and Christabel, 15). I was born and raised in Nigeria. My family moved to Gambia in 2004, the United Kingdom in 2007, and the United States in 2009.
I am an advanced practice nurse with a special interest in public/sexual health. I am deeply passionate about gender equality, girls' education, and social justice-related issues. I enjoy cooking, fashion, watching movies, surfing the internet, reading, and spending time with my family.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
O: I would describe myself as a woman of faith. I am compassionate, friendly, easy-going, approachable and goal driven.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
O: My faith in God, perseverance, self-reflection, and patience carried me through the most challenging times. I am a good listener who enjoys assisting others and treating them with dignity and respect. I'm also generous, loyal, have a good sense of humor, and am happy to be me. I love with all my heart, and I can’t stand people who are phony or insincere.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
O: I've moved a lot, and each time we relocated to a new country, I had to rebuild myself from ground up. To accommodate the numerous changes brought on by family and children, I had to learn and unlearn, and adjust my way of life. Today, I am grateful for these experiences because they all helped to strengthen me and teach me patience. They also taught me how to look at life and challenges through different lenses, which has been a valuable skill that I have continued to use in my nursing practice and personal life. Additionally, I have made lifelong friendships that I can’t trade off.
P: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
O: Life can be unfair at times, but never lose faith in yourself and your ability to achieve greatness. Never let anyone put you down, and never let peoples' criticism get to your heart. Allow your heart to lead you to true love, and once you've found it, love unconditionally. Life is too short to not live it to the fullest. Cherish true friendships and make the most of the time with your loved ones and the opportunities that come your way. You will meet different people at various intersections of your life; some will only be in your life for a short time, so don't hold on to them too tightly lest you feel hurt. Recognize the seasons of your life and allow God to guide you.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
O: Being a woman means acknowledging God's indispensable gift to humanity. It means empowerment and strength. It means being a lover of people, an encourager, a support system, an advocate, and a role model. It means being aware of the gender-related prejudices, discrimination, and biases associated with the female gender and being that voice that advocates for disadvantaged women.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
O: Over the years, many women have instilled great virtues in me, but one stands out above the rest: my mother. My mother never went to school, but she understood the value of education, particularly for girls. She put in a lot of effort, worked hard, and encouraged her daughters to continue their education. Three of her five daughters (including myself) now have doctorate degrees. She exemplifies courage, determination, and inspiration. And she never spared her rod of correction, which was not fun when I was growing up.
