“I’m lucky my little one loves to travel like me – no whimpering taking off or landing. She’s a good girl: she sleeps very well, she hardly ever cries, and I’m told she’s very alert for her age. She’s just started waving, which is fun. She laughs a lot. She’s almost talking. I think she might walk before she crawls. And she’s got six teeth already.”

It was an incredible time, but we worked hard. And no matter how many outfit changes, how many shows, we never said we were tired. We all loved it and we kept each other’s energy up. We did eight shows a day and then we would go and celebrate with the designers in the evening. I wonder sometimes if models now could have kept up with us.

I still enjoy it, but it’s nerve-racking. Because I’m 51 years old walking with girls who are 18! It’s great to be with these young ‘uns at my age, but I have to say, at one of the shows, I was like, ‘Come on, girls! Pick up your feet! Why are you walking so slow?’I feel like my time was more joyful. We smiled! We got to show off our personalities.

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Dr. Joy Adesina has emerged as the best graduating student in Medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State, and she has been rewarded for her excellence

Joy set the record after she bagged 9 awards and 10 distinctions in Medicine, making it the best result in the history of the Faculty at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Also read Chioma Ozoemelam: Diseases You Can Prevent  By Washing Your Hands | READ

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In the midst of changing societal and global trends and digital culture, Oma Anona, a media icon, has continued to defy the world of business and social work by pushing herself and her team towards the edge of positive impact. In this interview with Rose Jonathan, of Genius Gist Mag, she shares her life’s travails and triumphs in business, social work and the future that lies ahead.

The ever resilient show host was the spotlight for the 4^th edition of Genius Gist Magazine 2021. Oma let us in on her early life, sharing insights on the perceived chronic nature and difficulties associated with running businesses in the present day Nigeria. She also talks experience, career drive, the perceived gender discrimination, core challenges, and successes in poverty and unemployment alleviation with her locale and beyond. Read excerpts from the interview below.

Commenting on her background and early life, she said;

“I had a reclusive upbringing where we were not allowed to mingle or socialize. There was no one to learn anything from except from within… I would say my management skills came as a result of self-discovery and gaining clarity early enough… Furthermore, I am very multitalented. I can do a lot with so much ease, so I thought “why waste all that ability sitting behind a desk doing routine jobs?” So I left my high paying job and wandered off in pursuit of purpose.”

When quizzed about her venture in business, Oma had this to say;

“I am an entrepreneur not a business person. I am more about providing solutions, making impact and changing the world. Making money is secondary and not the direct purpose. The desire to make a difference in the world, you know make the world more beautiful than I met it inspired me into the work I do. If you talk to anyone who knows me closely, they will tell you that I value excellent execution and results first before financial rewards. Inevitably, money will come when the impact has yielded fruits.”

About her perception on the level of difficulty associated with developing, building and sustaining a business in Nigeria as alleged by startups and entrepreneurs, the icon was of the opinion that she “won’t describe the situation as regards building business in Nigeria as very difficult”.

“…. I just think that as a developing country, many of us are just laying the foundation for a better tomorrow. For me, this is the stage where and when we should be giving to the country to grow it. Our children will enjoy the Nigeria of our dream.  So I see Nigeria as green and prospective. The multiple problems we have is proof that there are tons of opportunities that need exploitation. Problems need solutions, don’t they?”

Bothering on the challenges she faced daily in the work sphere, coupled with the gender-based misconceptions about career women, women in the media and women in business generally, the spotlight said;

“I am not one of those entrepreneurs who mask their struggles and put up the facade of ‘I am well and things are smooth.’ No!”

“Being a woman is not any kind of handicap…. So there is no special challenge for me that comes because I am a woman. If I face sexual harassment, it’s not because I am a woman but because I unfortunately had to meet an irresponsible person and so on.”

 For the full interview or to get a copy of the magazine, click here

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