Oyo South deserves a versatile, creative and dependable  Senator — Rev Adenike Victor-Tade

Rev. Dr Adenike Victor-Tade is a social entrepreneur, a youth and women rights activist, and an emancipator vying for the Oyo South Senatorial  seat on the platform of the Young Progressive

Party (YPP). Also known as Mama Empowerment, Rev Victor-Tade in her quest for social transformation has been changing the lives of young Nigerians for the better through her empowerment scheme known as Ultimate Total Life Concepts Initiatives and Total Life in Christ Ministry.

Quite Familiar with the obstacles that hinder the progression of women in a patriarchal society, Rev Victor-Tade in this interview with Anu Oyeleye, shares her winning formula to inspire more women and youths to become successful in their endeavours.

Kindly introduce yourself to our esteemed readers.

I am Reverend Doctor Adenike Victor Tade also known as Mama Empowerment. I am a native of Ibadan. I read Accountancy at the Polytechnic of Ibadan twenty-seven years ago. Right from a tender age, I discovered that I love doing business as it helps me to feel independent, so I started engaging in petty trading. Even at that young age, I had set a standard for myself. I have always admired achievers. When I see people excelling in different spheres, I always examine myself to know if I have what it takes to equally excel in that area. Although I later realised that people have different talents and diverse areas of strength, that didn’t stop me, I kept working on myself, I strongly believe in myself and that has nudged me into continuous self-development.

Another thing that made me keep pushing hard is that I detest poverty, and this helped me to work extra hard in realising my set goals in life without indulging in social vices that can truncate my destiny. Having all these in mind, entrepreneurship became a very good option for me. Right from my polytechnic days, I started going from Ibadan to Lagos and Kaduna to buy clothes to sell. Then later, I extended my reach to learning how to make shoes, soap, bags,cream etcetera, things I knew were in high demand. I composed poems (Ewi) and eventually became a writer and at the end of my youth service, I got a job appointment as a school bursar, but I only stayed for two years and moved on to continue my business. The business has always made me feel empowered and that is why I use it as a channel to empower others.

What triggered the establishment of your skill Acquisition Empowerment Programme?

My background was the connecting factor. I only got to know my father at the age of 16 because he didn’t marry my mother, he accepted the child and not the woman.  This made things very difficult for me and my mum emotionally and economically. So, each time I see a youth derailed or in intense lack, I say to myself “This could have been me “ and so I try to make these youths believe in themselves and their abilities and help them rise above the mess in their lives. I empathize by teaching them some of the skills that I have learnt depending on their area of interest and go further to buy equipment after completing the training. The bulk of my empowerment programme started in Kaduna where I lived for many years. To many people, am a pastor but I first became a life coach, and a mentor before receiving my call into pastoral duties and other roles I am presently in.

Why is it that despite the increasing number of non-profit organizations in Nigeria, there is still so much poverty and unemployment in Nigeria?

I think it’s because many non-profit organizations stop at the stage of procuring equipment for those they are empowering. In my empowerment programme, I go further to create the market and provide networking opportunities for growth. Many have failed to realise that empowerment is meant to be a segment of entrepreneurship. Empowerment should not stand on its own as some politicians do. When it does, it will fail. Also with the level of hunger and poverty in Nigeria, some are faced with circumstances that put them in intense need and they sell the equipment in a bid to survive. I think NGOs need to be comprehensive in their approach and try to address all the factors.

The approach adopted in your Empowerment Programme seems innovative, have you always known you would become a politician?

Many people would not believe me when I say no. My motivating factor has been remembering being helpless and hopeless. I have deep compassion for both the youths and women and that has been my source of inspiration.

Do you think it is possible as a genuine Christian to vie for a political position without being compromised?

Who you are before joining politics is very important. A Christian that becomes compromised already has tendencies to default. Yes, I know it would be a war to stand for the right principles, but I intend to do it. History has it that women like Dora Akinyuli fought a good fight. Track records show that women when elected to positions bring desirable changes to population health, they are often more committed to delivering good governance.

When elected, one of the bills I will sponsor is a bill for the government to recognise certificates from regulated vocational schools for skills acquisition. It would increase job opportunities and make life much easier for many. It will cause a turnaround. We need dependable people, and I will be innovative in the face of dwindling resources.

How have you been able to manage all these roles without conflict?

Although life is about sacrifice, what usually works for me is delegation. I’m a firm believer and lover of people. I give people opportunities even when they think they don’t have the capabilities. I encourage people a lot. I give them chances, I’m not the type that believes without me, things cannot work, I believe in networking and collaborating and this makes things easy for me.

What is that unforgettable lesson that you have learnt in life that you would want to pass on to other women?

My most treasured lesson is value. Women often do not realise their worth. They do not know that they have so much value. We need to start believing in ourselves. Being a successful person requires one to have the desire to grow and learn new things. Keep complacency at bay, push hard and you will get the recognition that you deserve.