My life as first lady, mother, engineer, a Kalabari married to Oyo State gov —Tamunominini Makinde
YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE last week had a day interaction with Mrs Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, wife of the Governor of Oyo State and found her to be jovial, simple, accommodating and down to earth, the interaction touched on many issues, including her experience as a Kalabari woman married to an Ibadan man, excerpts:
Watching you work and interact today has been like looking into a mirror, is this who you are daily?
Yes, I would say this is a true reflection of me. I have had friends from way back at high school to university, to after school; some of them were worried that when I become a governor’s wife, I will change. But two, three years after the election, I run into them at the airport in transit, I greet them same way we have always greeted. And they will be like, oh my God, this is first lady, you have to behave yourself. And I am like, it’s a title. Anytime you see me, especially when I’m in transit, it is just me. I meet everybody, I talk with everybody, I accommodate everybody, knowing that we are not all equal, and may never be equal in some respects, even if we become equal on educational stratification, our exposure and our perception to what is happening around us and how we take information will never be the same. So, for me, I have not changed, my husband will tell you I think it will be hard for you to change my wife.
Your husband is an Ibadan man, you are from Ijaw, but you have adapted to the culture in the way you relate with people. How did you adjust easily?
First, the Oyo State people are warm; they are very traditional people, which is common to where I come from. The real Ijaw people are warm, and they are also traditional people. So, it is very easy to adapt, I still don’t know how to speak the language, I speak here and there, and I make efforts to keep up with kunle kind of things, I still try to wonder why I have to eat my amala and ewedu in the same plate; we do separation of food in my place but here, you do a combination of food, but we have similarities in the sense that we play with colours, which is displayed in Oyo State. And we also play with colours in River State, which is displayed in our sari, and Indian sari that we import and how we dress. So, for me, it is easy. I have my baby picture when I was five, which is famous, but I was wearing a Yoruba cloth; Oleku. I did not know what Oleku was until I read the book, and I was wearing the real ancient buba. I was wearing the real traditional Ofi, so you can see it in my 50th biography, the one they put together in the tabletop book. So, it’s there, and I really did not know what it meant, I just liked the picture, and after I got married, I got to find out that it is actually a Yoruba peoples’ style I was wearing when I was five. So, for me, you can see that the culture, there is a lot of overlap, and I enjoy it.
Being married to an Ibadan man, how do you cope with grassroots people, especially politicians?
I think one of the key driving forces is the need to serve the people. If you want to serve the people and not that you want to be a political leader, then it’s very easy to connect with the grassroots. Because our country is such that we don’t really have much going on in the urban center. 70 per cent of the people in our state have strong connections with the grassroots, their local governments. And especially I have come to find out that Oyo state in particular is a unique state. All the local governments are set up such that they are like cities on their own. You may not know, but I have been to all the local governments. All the major local government facilities, I have been there. So, if you want to serve the people, and you want to work with the people, then there is nothing to say that there is grassroots politics and then there is an urban politics. You have to know the people. And where are the people? Like I said, 70 percent are in the grassroots. So, if you are not going to the grassroots, then you don’t know the people. So, I think one thing that has helped me to be able to integrate into my duty as a First Lady is that I went campaigning with my husband, even though I don’t know how to speak the language, even though I don’t know the turn like the left, right, I cannot navigate my way, but I went to all the local governments, all the major towns, all the major hamlets and this opened my eyes to see things and helped me to warm up even more, to understand that as a governor’s wife, I have a lot to do. So, when you are willing to serve, you have a duty, and you are willing to do good service to the people, then the word grassroots politics is not really a word. It is not important. It’s just a name.
Now, I will go back to the language barrier again. How has it been easy for you to communicate with those people?
Okay, so let me try and see if I can itemise it; number one, the first thing I do before I go out to meet with any group of women is I try to know who they are, what is important to them. I do my research, then if I know that those people are a group of people that cannot speak English, I go with my camera people and I ask them not to even try to speak English. So, I sit down and I try to speak the words that I can understand. Then, I would tell them not to speak too fast, so if they are inferring some things, I will be able to put one and one together. Two, there is always some kind of gap in translation when people translate. So, what I do is, I get more than two people to translate for me, then I still have a record. So, what I try to do is relax and ask God to help me each day so I don’t err. I take a deep breath; get representatives to actually strategically group their needs, and I record for my husband. So, when I go, I say sweetheart, this is what I understood by the people, this is what was translated. But I think looking at the environment; this is what they really need. However, I have recording for you, you can just listen to the 10 to 15 minutes, and let me know what you think they really said. So, he has been very helpful in that respect. This is how I have been able to bridge the gap of communication. And sometimes, I learn proverbs, then sometimes I learn the beginning of proverbs, then I say the beginning and I tell them to complete it and I tell them the meaning in English. So, the ones that do not speak are able to connect with me. So, these are the kind of things I do.
You bear the name, Olufunke, was it adopted? How did you come about the name?
Okay, I and my husband have been together for more than 32 years; I am 52 now, I think this was like the second year or so when I started visiting his house or something like that. Friends would come, and they would call Omi, omi. They would shorten my name and just call it Omi. So, when we got married, unknown to me, he had already foreseen the gap that would happen in pronunciation. I have never really lived in the west; I don’t know what Omi means. I don’t know the implications of how names are shortened and pronunciations and the denotations. So, he decided to call me Olufunke and insist that I do publication of name change with my full name and additional name, Olufunke. So, I did. And that is how my name Olufunke came about. And I asked him, what does Olufunke mean? He said the one that God has given me to pamper and I loved it.
How are you able to combine your many roles as a wife, a mother, an accomplished engineer as well as a First Lady?
Well, balancing multiple roles can be quite challenging, but with careful planning and support, it is possible. First, I prioritize my responsibilities and allocate time accordingly. This helps me stay focused and organized. I believe strongly that effective time management is important, so I create schedules and set reminders prioritizing urgent and important tasks so as to optimize my time and make sure all my roles receive the attention they deserve.
My primary role is that of a wife and so, I always ensure that I have time to attend to my husband and his needs. Similarly, by the time my husband became the Governor of Oyo State, two of my children were already in the university and the last was in high school. They are away from home as they live in the school and I make sure that I am with them during their holidays. My role as the First Lady does not affect my job as an Engineer at Makon Ltd. because we have structured the office in a way that I can perform some of my roles virtually and I go to the office when need be.
Importantly, I maintain open and honest communication with my husband, family, and coworkers at all times. This helps me align expectations and seek support when needed. I also believe in delegating tasks whenever possible, both at home and at work.
Finally, I make sure to prioritize activities that help me relax and recharge. Whether it’s exercise or spending quality time with loved ones, these activities rejuvenate me and enable me to bring my best self to all my roles without one affecting the other.
How has your role as Oyo State’s First Lady changed your life?
This role has undoubtedly had a profound impact on my life. It has brought with it a unique set of responsibilities and opportunities that have shaped me in ways I never could have imagined.
I would also like to acknowledge the significant challenges I have faced as a leader in a setting where the culture and language are different from my own. As a Kalabari woman, I have had to navigate the complexities of communicating with the Yoruba people. Nevertheless, I have dedicated myself to learning the language and I can proudly say that I am making noticeable progress day by day.
Also, being the first lady has allowed me to advocate for causes that are close to my heart. I have been able to use my platform to raise awareness about important issues such as women empowerment, sexual and gender based violence and girl child education. This has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, as I have witnessed the power of my voice in making a positive difference in the lives of others.
In addition, my role as the first lady has given me the privilege of meeting and working with extraordinary individuals who are dedicated to making a difference. These interactions have broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of the world, thereby creating a better scope on how to help my people, especially the women, in Oyo State.
What are your most fulfilling moments as a First Lady?
As the First Lady of Oyo State, I have had the privilege of experiencing many fulfilling moments. However, if I were to choose one, I would say that my most fulfilling moment thus far has been witnessing the positive impact of the various empowerment projects we have initiated. Seeing the smiles on the faces of individuals and families whose lives have been improved through our programs brings an immense sense of fulfillment; when I have the opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of orphans, less privileged children, girls, widows and women in the society through the various programmes organized by my office. I see this as directly impacting on the lives of the people around me and it gives me joy that I can contribute my own quota to the development of humanity.
One particular instance that also stands out to me is when the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act was finally domesticated in Oyo State to help deal with perpetrators of Rape and Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the state.
What is your focus for the second term?
In my second term, my primary focus continues to be on uplifting and improving the lives of women, girls and orphans within the state. Building on the foundation laid during my first tenure, I have identified several key areas that will be the focal points of my efforts which are in line with the road map of His Excellency, Governor Oluseyi Makinde. They include education; education is the key to unlocking opportunities and empowering the girl child. I will continue to advocate for quality education and access to educational resources. Additionally, I will focus on promoting digital literacy and ensuring that our women are equipped with the necessary skills for this rapidly evolving world.
Also, agriculture, this is a vital sector that plays a significant role in the economy and livelihood of the people in Oyo state. I will support and promote initiatives to support women in agriculture, which will focus on enhancing their knowledge and skills in sustainable farm practices and value addition.
Women and orphans empowerment is also an important aspect. Gender equality and women’s empowerment remain crucial priorities. I will continue to support initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment. And also do more outreach to more orphanages within the state.
The focus will primarily be on provision of scholarship to indigent students, to include adult literacy programmes, training and empowerment with agricultural tools, care for the senior citizens, support for orphans and orphanages, widows’ empowerment and campaign against gender and sexual based violence.
What is your motivation for this focus?
My motivation is based on love for the people of Oyo State and out of the desire to positively impact the lives of those around me and it is also in a bid to follow the footsteps of the areas of focus of our mother, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. We will be focusing on education, agriculture, women empowerment and orphan empowerment stems from a deep belief in the power of these areas to bring about positive change in the lives of women and children in Oyo state.
How do you see the Nigerian woman?
Nigerian women are strong, resilient, and resourceful. They contribute significantly to their families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Nigerian women are involved in various sectors, including education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, politics, arts, and sciences. They are breaking barriers and achieving remarkable milestones in their respective fields, driving positive change and empowering others.
However, it is important to acknowledge that Nigerian women also face challenges and inequalities. Gender-based discrimination, limited access to education and healthcare, and cultural norms can hinder their full potential. There is a need for continuous efforts to promote gender equality and address issues such as gender-based violence and harmful practices so we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that benefits everyone.
Do you think the Nigerian woman is given equal opportunity as her male counterpart?
Well, progress has been made in recent years but there are still significant gaps and disparities in terms of equal opportunities for Nigerian women compared to their male counterparts. There are still some glass ceilings yet to be broken by the Nigerian woman. Despite the fact that Nigerian women are highly educated and skilled, they continue to face various challenges and barriers that limit their access to equal opportunities.
In many sectors, women face bias in employment, career advancement, and leadership positions. They often encounter gender-based stereotypes and biases that hinder their professional growth and limit their access to decision-making roles. Also, some cultural and societal norms have imposed expectations and roles on women that may hinder their ability to fully participate in certain areas of society. It is important to note that efforts are being made to address these disparities. There are organizations, initiatives, and policies aimed at promoting gender equality, empowering women, and creating a more inclusive society. Our women should be given equal opportunity with the men especially in politics and allowed to operate on a levelled playing ground with the men and you will see how well we, Nigerian women will perform. I look forward with joy to the day a woman will become an Executive Governor of a State and the President of Nigeria.
How can the Nigerian woman improve her lot?
Nigerian women can improve their lot by taking proactive steps and leveraging available opportunities. They can improve themselves through; education and skill development, economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and actively participate in leadership and decision making roles. I always urge women to improve themselves whenever I have an opportunity to interact with them.
What legacy would you like to leave behind after your eight years in office as the First Lady?
I aspire to leave behind a legacy where many women in our state feel empowered, valued, and have equal opportunities to succeed. I believe that by uplifting women, we uplift the society as a whole. Also, I am committed to ensuring that every child in orphanages receives the support and care they need to thrive.
I will love to be remembered for my service to humanity especially as it relates to care for orphans and special children, support for orphanages and special homes, empowerment of the girl child, campaign against Gender and Sexual based violence, support for widows, support for elderly people, empowerment of youths and women in Oyo State.
With your husband’s tight schedule and yours, how do you create time for romance to spice up your love life?
Maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship is indeed a priority for my husband and I, especially considering our busy schedules. It requires intentional effort to create time for romance amidst our responsibilities. One strategy we employ is setting aside dedicated quality time for each other, this may involve scheduling short getaways to focus solely on our relationship; weekend getaways, yearly vacations and anniversaries are not taken for granted.
Though, flexibility is also key; we understand that unexpected events or obligations may arise, causing our schedules to change. In such cases, we adapt and find alternative ways to nurture our relationship. It could be something as simple as planning a cozy night in or surprising each other with small gestures of love and affection.
How do you unwind?
I engage in exercise to release stress, spend quality time with loved ones and watch movies; I especially love Korean movies. Also, I love gardening; I have a water leaf farm in my house and I also have a small snail farm.
During the first term you focused on empowerment programmes for women and also reached out to orphanages. What is your assessment of the interventions?
During my first tenure, I focused on women empowerment, orphans and orphanages, campaign against sexual and gender-based violence, girl child empowerment and widows’ empowerment as well. The focus on women and orphanage empowerment during my first term was driven by a deep commitment to helping the most vulnerable members of our society. I believe that the empowerment of women and the support of orphanages are crucial for building a stronger and more inclusive society.
With the feedback I get from the beneficiaries who are located in all the local governments in the state, I am happy to say that the programmes that I embarked on has had great impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, there is a mindset change for the girls that they should not be limited by their gender, the survivors of gender-based violence have been rehabilitated and supported and the campaign continues. The women and widows that we have given empowerment items are doing well in their different skills. So, I know that the intervention programmes have yielded positive result and I hope to do more in this second tenure.
Overall, the assessment of our interventions in women and orphanage empowerment has been positive. We have witnessed tangible improvements in the lives of women who have started businesses, and become financially independent. Additionally, the children in orphanages have benefited from improved facilities and support systems, setting them on a path towards a brighter future. However, it is important to recognize that there is still more work to be done. The challenges faced by women and orphanages are complex and multifaceted. Therefore, continuous efforts and collaboration are crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring that our interventions have a lasting impact.
What will you say prepared you for your role as Oyo State’s First Lady?
I believe that several aspects of my background prepared me for this role. First, I would say my education and professional experience have equipped me with strong communication skills, diplomacy and the ability to engage with diverse groups of people. I should also reiterate the fact that my background made this very easy; I am privileged to be brought up by God-fearing and hardworking parents who instilled in me the values of homeliness and hard work. This no doubt has helped me to be accommodating and receptive to people from all walks of life that have come my way as a First Lady. Above all, my commitment and work for God and involvement in various community initiatives has allowed me to understand the needs and concerns of different classes of people in the society irrespective of their religious affiliations or political beliefs.
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