(MY SCUCCESS STORY) I’ve learnt that hard work pays -Lade Olugbemi, UK politician, mental health advocate
‘Lade Hephzibah Olugbemi is a woman who wears different hats, and sometimes, according to her, she finds it difficult to choose which one of the hats to describe herself.
Notwithstanding, the one closest to her heart is that she is a delight of God, which is the meaning of her name Hephzibah. A grandmother to two lovely grandchildren, Lade is a mother, a mentor, a mentee, a public motivational speaker, a preacher of the word of God, an advocate, an activist, and a mental health advocate.
Professionally, she is a councillor in the Royal Borough of Greenwich representing West Thamesmead in the United Kingdom. She is passionate about making a difference in her community and any environment. She describes herself as a voice for the voiceless and supporting or advocating for those who may not be able to speak up fully for themselves.
A graduate of the Ondo State University where she studied English and Literary Studies. She then proceeded to study Commercial and Business Law at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
She spoke to The Nigerian Xpress:
Tell us about life as a lawyer, mental health expert, and Councillor in the UK?
I am a non-practising lawyer. I do not practise. However, I use my legal skills and appropriate skills in my professional life.
You get to see the side of me depending on the angle and the seat I am sitting on.
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I have a full-time job as a senior manager in one of the local authorities in London. This is aside from my job as a councillor. I also run a registered charity organisation called The Nous Organisation. We are licensed as mental health first aid trainers and we also consult for organisations on the mental well-being of staff and community members. We organise seminars and conferences and speak at events on mental health issues.
I became a councillor in May 2022. One of the proudest moments of my life was receiving the vote from my constituents to be their representatives in the borough and advocating for them on local matters. A tough job. The selection process was rigorous and very demanding. However, with the support of God and great political mentors, I was able to scale through. The journey so far has been very very demanding with a lot of learning.
What inspired you to go into UK politics?
I was inspired to go into politics because I strongly believe that we are all political beings. We cannot all sit on armchairs and criticise the government and complain about what is working or not working. I got up and believed that I could make a difference. I decided to join a party that represented my beliefs and ethos about fairness, equity, and justice. I wanted to be in the company of men and women who believe that we can all make a difference by ensuring that laws, procedures, and policies are truly reflective of the needs of the local community.
I was inspired to go into politics as an extension of my advocacy work in the field of mental health. I have always had it in me. I guess God allowed the right opportunity to come up for me to step into an arena where I truly can make a difference.
I was inspired by the various works I had seen politicians do in the boroughs where I worked and their selflessness. Over here in the UK, you get paid a miserly allowance that is not commensurate with the amount of time and work that you do. Yet, I saw and observed so many go out of their way to support residents. I wanted to be that person too; that person that will hold local government officials to account and work with them to make sure that the views of locals are taken on board.
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I was inspired to go into politics by my uncle who was the former chief whip of the Nigerian Senate, Prof Sola Adeyeye. An astute academic, a forthright, no-nonsense politician who embodied true politicking at all levels. I watched him several times and his debating styles on the floor of the house. Yes, politics in Nigeria is tough. He spoke out against so many vices and he stood for the truth.
I was inspired by Jesus to go into politics. He represented the true embodiment of socialism. That was the reason the people thought that he was a leader in the flesh. He came to set the captives free, provided for the hungry, and was vocally challenging authorities that were not usually challenged.
What was the experience at the beginning?
It was very challenging. Several meetings and tests. Before you can be shortlisted, there is a daunting process. You face your peers and comrades and have to convince them that you are capable of representing the party. That you possess the skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and capacity to do the job. After the shortlisting, you now have the arduous task of contacting residents to vote for your party. There are over 20k residents in my ward. These were days of door knocking in the cold with frozen hands; door knocking and asking residents to vote for your party. A very interesting and delightful experience as you got to hear firsthand from residents their issues, their concerns, and what they want to be done, and that gives you insight into looking at the various angles that you will work to support your residents.
What was the turning point in your career?
My career is progressing and not done yet. I guess what you mean is at what point in my career did I decide to go into politics? I guess it was at a point when I realised that I had the capacity and the capability to do this. As mentioned earlier, I work in another local authority as a senior manager, so I knew the demands of the job. Stepping into the other side of the table was like a natural progression in the line of my vocation, being a mental health advocate.
Tell us about some of the memorable moments in your life and career?
Memorable moments are plenty. When I had my first child. When I bought my first car, my first house, became a grandmother, was promoted to become a senior manager in a local authority, when I registered my organisation, the Nous Organisation in Nigeria and the UK, and, of course, lately, when I became a councillor.
Those moments remind me of the faithfulness of God and how he has his hands on my life and that he created me for a purpose. Each of those moments came with battles that God helped to overcome.
What are some of the other things that occupy your time?
I love plants, walking and also going to the gym. I take my physical health very seriously and have ensured that I maintain a good BMI. I love to dance to good music and listen to music too.
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Who or what do you consider the greatest influence in your life?
Jesus is the greatest influencer in my life. His principles, his management styles, the level of his emotional intelligence, his people managing skills, his love for humanity, and, of course, his humility. Through him, I learnt that you can be humble no matter your position in life.
Other influencers are Chimamanda Adichie, a woman with such poise and prose of a language she mastered that even the native speakers refer to her. Her attitude and spirit. Her confidence and intellectuality are very admirable
What lessons have you learnt about life?
Life is transient. What appears to be an impossible situation today, can become possible tomorrow if you believe and you work towards changing the narrative. There is nothing impossible with God. I have learnt that stories change, people change and the only constant thing in life is change. You must prepare for change and be amiable and flexible to embrace the change when it happens.
I have learnt that hard work pays. It is about working hard and smart; not just hard work but hard work and smartness. Where you have only smartness you find out that people will be looking out for shortcuts and they may not be producing their best.
What advice would you give younger ladies who admire your personality and want to be like you?
Do not allow anyone to discourage you. Be a voice, speak even when your leg is shaking. Be respectful. Get a mentor and compartmentalise your relationships. Gather all the intellectual skills you need to allow you that seat at the table.
