WOMEN LEADERS WITH THE HEART OF GOLD
“If you are in a Leadership position, always
remember that whether you are on the stage performing or behind the scenes
directing, you are being watched; by someone who is seeking whom to follow.”
Sharon Ayewale
Let me tell you about an experience I had not too long ago. It led me to the conclusion above and changed how I view people generally.
On the 9th and 10th of April, 2014, Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOSFGA), organized the 1st Ogun State National Women's Conference, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, Wife of The State Governor was the chief host. The Special Guest of Honor was Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, and the Keynote Speaker was Ms Evelyn Oputu,M.D of The Bank of Industry. Influential Women from across the country in government, business, institutions etc attended. My friend; Mrs. Wande Ogunnubi a speaker at the event, invited me along to the conference. It was an awesome gathering. We learnt in a practical manner how women can excel in their homes, businesses, professions, politics and ultimately in Nation building. The speakers were engaging, inspiring and very practical. It was a no-holds-barred gathering! I was grateful to be a participant of such conference.
The first day of the conference was to end with a Gala night for all the participants. But because my friend and I had had a long day, we decided no more activity for the night. She, wanted to go over her speech for the next day and I had to finish an article for my blog. After a while, Mrs Ogunnubi excused herself to go attend to something her driver called her attention to, promising to be back in a jiffy. After several minutes of taking calls on my phone, doing some reading and she wasn't back, I decided to go check her up. Then I saw her coming from another room laughing and telling them, (whoever they were), "I told you she'll be looking for me already, here she is..." She closed the door to the room and as I was about to open my mouth and ask, where have you been, she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the door of the room, shaking with excitement. I knew something interesting had happened; I couldn't wait for the gist! Immediately she closed the door, I whispered quietly back, laughing, "What happened?" to which she responded, "You wouldn't believe what just happened Sharon!"
She was on her way back to the room when she decided on checking out the occupants of the next suite to ours. She convinced herself she wasn't been nosy just networking, which was part of the reason we were there, anyways. What she found was an elderly, beautiful, very friendly woman. She greeted her respectfully, introduced herself as Mrs. Ogunnubi; one of the speakers for the following day and the woman simply responded with a smile that she was Mrs. Diya and asked her to come in. They exchange more pleasantries and my friend told her she was just saying hello and would love to take her leave now. The woman insisted she stayed and before you know it, questions like "which of these clothes would be nice for the evening?" "What should I do with my hair?" "Which pair of shoes will match it?" started. On and on the conversation continued till my friend got so comfortable with this "mother-daughter talk" that she forgot to leave the woman for over 20 minutes! The 2 ladies who travelled with Mrs Diya emerged from an adjoining room and trust women; the deliberations about the appropriate attire continued. At the end of the day, they agreed on a certain hairstyle and the dress best suitable for the evening. My friend was about to say her byes when she asked which group, or on which platform the elderly woman came to the conference. This sweet woman simply said, "oh, the wives of former governors, dear." Immediately my friend's mind went to overdrive, scanning her brain's data base, which governor is that ooo? she thought....., then it hit her! The wife of Former Chief of General Staff of Nigeria! Ha, Former Military Governor of Ogun State: Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya's wife! My friend said, "Sharon, I just went on my knees, straight! I said good evening ma, ha I'm so sorry I didn't realize....." but this sweet woman just pulled her up and said it's okay, laughing, telling my friend it was nothing at all!
You know what my first response was? "It's a lie!" How can someone who has been at the corridors of power for so long be that humble and so open to someone she had never met before, a younger lady for that matter? My friend said, you know what, you need to see her and say hi to her yourself! So we ran out of the room like two little excited kids and knocked her door, again. She didn't just prove my friend wrong, she blew my mind away! She was so sweet!
She insisted we see her the following day before leaving. You wouldn't believe me if I told you she looked out for us the following day. The two ladies who travelled with her chatted with us like we've been friends for ages. When this sweet woman was about to leave the conference venue, I asked if we could snap some pictures with her, she didn't hesitate for a bit. She loved it. She told us she had to leave the conference early because she had a flight to catch in Lagos (as if we were her daughters or needed to explain herself to any one!) for a very important function in Abuja. A few minutes later she waved us bye bye and then turned back to tell us to be careful on our way to Lagos because she got a report that there was an accident on the Lagos Ibadan express way, did our driver know the old road route, or would we ride with them as they went?
Were we shocked? Beyond shocked! How could someone so influential be so humane and humble? She didn't know who we were from Adam yet she treated us so kindly. We are so proud of you ma, we are grateful there are still people like you in our country!
To think she wasn't the only good natured woman that day made it one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in a long time. Even though we didn't have a one on one encounter with Her Excellency, The Wife of The Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun; she was, oh, so simple in her approach to everything. Walking and talking freely to everybody, kneeling down to greet the elderly ones. There wasn't the usual "I'm the boss, stay back" airs on her! It was amazing. And when she spoke, you can’t but be inspired by beauty, brain and heart. We encountered The Wife of The Deputy Governor of Ogun State on our way home too, Mrs. Adesegun.. She was so lively as she chatted with my friend and I, sharing personal stories that amused and tugged at our hearts-about life and her wonderful father-in-law (whom she spoke glowingly of). There was also Prof. Mrs Olufunmilayo Tumininu Sotonode, HOD from The OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY, who sat beside us, ensured we were well taken care of and made us laugh throughout the 2nd day event! Mrs. Ogunnde, wife of former commissioner for Justice Ogun State and Principal Consultant Edumark was phenomenal! With a filled hall when we came in on day one, she personally went to get us seats despite the many ushers in attendance. We were wowed by them all! This is what I call LEADERSHIP FROM THE HEART. When a leader does well in secret, she should be rewarded with glowing words openly.
Let me tell you about an experience I had not too long ago. It led me to the conclusion above and changed how I view people generally.
On the 9th and 10th of April, 2014, Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOSFGA), organized the 1st Ogun State National Women's Conference, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, Wife of The State Governor was the chief host. The Special Guest of Honor was Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, and the Keynote Speaker was Ms Evelyn Oputu,M.D of The Bank of Industry. Influential Women from across the country in government, business, institutions etc attended. My friend; Mrs. Wande Ogunnubi a speaker at the event, invited me along to the conference. It was an awesome gathering. We learnt in a practical manner how women can excel in their homes, businesses, professions, politics and ultimately in Nation building. The speakers were engaging, inspiring and very practical. It was a no-holds-barred gathering! I was grateful to be a participant of such conference.
The first day of the conference was to end with a Gala night for all the participants. But because my friend and I had had a long day, we decided no more activity for the night. She, wanted to go over her speech for the next day and I had to finish an article for my blog. After a while, Mrs Ogunnubi excused herself to go attend to something her driver called her attention to, promising to be back in a jiffy. After several minutes of taking calls on my phone, doing some reading and she wasn't back, I decided to go check her up. Then I saw her coming from another room laughing and telling them, (whoever they were), "I told you she'll be looking for me already, here she is..." She closed the door to the room and as I was about to open my mouth and ask, where have you been, she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the door of the room, shaking with excitement. I knew something interesting had happened; I couldn't wait for the gist! Immediately she closed the door, I whispered quietly back, laughing, "What happened?" to which she responded, "You wouldn't believe what just happened Sharon!"
She was on her way back to the room when she decided on checking out the occupants of the next suite to ours. She convinced herself she wasn't been nosy just networking, which was part of the reason we were there, anyways. What she found was an elderly, beautiful, very friendly woman. She greeted her respectfully, introduced herself as Mrs. Ogunnubi; one of the speakers for the following day and the woman simply responded with a smile that she was Mrs. Diya and asked her to come in. They exchange more pleasantries and my friend told her she was just saying hello and would love to take her leave now. The woman insisted she stayed and before you know it, questions like "which of these clothes would be nice for the evening?" "What should I do with my hair?" "Which pair of shoes will match it?" started. On and on the conversation continued till my friend got so comfortable with this "mother-daughter talk" that she forgot to leave the woman for over 20 minutes! The 2 ladies who travelled with Mrs Diya emerged from an adjoining room and trust women; the deliberations about the appropriate attire continued. At the end of the day, they agreed on a certain hairstyle and the dress best suitable for the evening. My friend was about to say her byes when she asked which group, or on which platform the elderly woman came to the conference. This sweet woman simply said, "oh, the wives of former governors, dear." Immediately my friend's mind went to overdrive, scanning her brain's data base, which governor is that ooo? she thought....., then it hit her! The wife of Former Chief of General Staff of Nigeria! Ha, Former Military Governor of Ogun State: Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya's wife! My friend said, "Sharon, I just went on my knees, straight! I said good evening ma, ha I'm so sorry I didn't realize....." but this sweet woman just pulled her up and said it's okay, laughing, telling my friend it was nothing at all!
You know what my first response was? "It's a lie!" How can someone who has been at the corridors of power for so long be that humble and so open to someone she had never met before, a younger lady for that matter? My friend said, you know what, you need to see her and say hi to her yourself! So we ran out of the room like two little excited kids and knocked her door, again. She didn't just prove my friend wrong, she blew my mind away! She was so sweet!
She insisted we see her the following day before leaving. You wouldn't believe me if I told you she looked out for us the following day. The two ladies who travelled with her chatted with us like we've been friends for ages. When this sweet woman was about to leave the conference venue, I asked if we could snap some pictures with her, she didn't hesitate for a bit. She loved it. She told us she had to leave the conference early because she had a flight to catch in Lagos (as if we were her daughters or needed to explain herself to any one!) for a very important function in Abuja. A few minutes later she waved us bye bye and then turned back to tell us to be careful on our way to Lagos because she got a report that there was an accident on the Lagos Ibadan express way, did our driver know the old road route, or would we ride with them as they went?
Were we shocked? Beyond shocked! How could someone so influential be so humane and humble? She didn't know who we were from Adam yet she treated us so kindly. We are so proud of you ma, we are grateful there are still people like you in our country!
To think she wasn't the only good natured woman that day made it one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in a long time. Even though we didn't have a one on one encounter with Her Excellency, The Wife of The Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun; she was, oh, so simple in her approach to everything. Walking and talking freely to everybody, kneeling down to greet the elderly ones. There wasn't the usual "I'm the boss, stay back" airs on her! It was amazing. And when she spoke, you can’t but be inspired by beauty, brain and heart. We encountered The Wife of The Deputy Governor of Ogun State on our way home too, Mrs. Adesegun.. She was so lively as she chatted with my friend and I, sharing personal stories that amused and tugged at our hearts-about life and her wonderful father-in-law (whom she spoke glowingly of). There was also Prof. Mrs Olufunmilayo Tumininu Sotonode, HOD from The OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY, who sat beside us, ensured we were well taken care of and made us laugh throughout the 2nd day event! Mrs. Ogunnde, wife of former commissioner for Justice Ogun State and Principal Consultant Edumark was phenomenal! With a filled hall when we came in on day one, she personally went to get us seats despite the many ushers in attendance. We were wowed by them all! This is what I call LEADERSHIP FROM THE HEART. When a leader does well in secret, she should be rewarded with glowing words openly.
My last thought is this: to those of us following: Things are not always what they seem. People aren't always their reputation. Whatever you have read or heard about a leader, put it aside sometimes and give them a chance. They are only human. There is always something very precious in them that they want to share with the world.
To those in positions of
Leadership, "....whether you are on the stage performing or behind the scenes
directing, you are being watched: by someone who is seeking whom to
follow."
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