March 13, (THEWILL) – In the spirit of the Women’s Month, Businesswoman Adesumbo Adeoye tells IVORY UKONU why she is passionate about bridging the gender gap by educating women for a purposeful and better future. Excerpts:
You recently released your memoir titled, Refurbished – Hope for a Fresh Start. Most people prefer to write theirs when they are much older. Why did you decide to write yours now?
It only covers a chapter of my life that I survived and it accurately captures a reflection of the last 20 years of my life. I wrote it and released it to the world on my 40th birthday because I believe a new chapter has begun and there is a burning need to help others who also desire a fresh start, see the possibility of a transformed life from an overwhelming heaviness into a place of peace, joy and wholeness. Through the pages of my memoir, you will not only read about my experiences, lessons and pain as a single mother, it will open your eyes to the different seasons young, vulnerable adults confront in life. It is my life lessons and through the transparency of sharing my personal experience. The book will definitely help people in the waiting room of life endure the season and enjoy it while making maximum use of their time. It covers the period before my single motherhood, during and life after the detour.
Would you like to share one highlight of the memoir to get people to look forward to reading it?
My life coach, who also wrote the foreword, says, “this book is a necessary tool for restoration. It will guide and give you the ability to discern prisons that look like open doors, wolves that look like sheep and glittering metals that look like gold”. Get a cup of tea and be ready to read without interruption what I call the manual for those desiring a fresh start.
What are some of the things you expect readers to take away from the book?
Readers will definitely feel my heart beat reading this book. The transparency and gut to share my personal experience makes it extremely relatable and very practical. And this is so that others like me can escape or come out of their “furnace of fire” situation without being burnt but refined as pure gold. It is available online on bit.ly/refurbishedhope, in all leading book stores across Nigeria and on Amazon for those in the Diaspora.
You were a thriving banker, but you left it for the business world. Why so?
After a little over a decade of active service in the banking industry, I wanted more. I wanted tougher challenges, better remuneration and a more fulfilling and rewarding future. So I decided to resign and chase after my desires to serve more in the area of events management and planning. The goal was to become a successful business owner. After my resignation, I applied for a scholarship at the Lagos Business School, and I was awarded with a scholarship under the Goldmansachs 10,000 women initiative. I graduated with a certificate in entrepreneurial management in 2011. That experience did not only change my life, but it also improved how I run my business.
How long have you been running Esob Events and what is the most prominent event you have ever handled?
Esob Events is my brainchild of over a decade. It has been 11 years since we started running it as a structured events management business and my most prominent events would be those we executed successfully during our early days of humble beginnings. I think it will be better if I keep the names anonymous, but the ripple effect of that successful execution in the starting point has landed us the opportunity and privilege to serve in bigger capacities for high-profile clientele, high net worth individuals, government parastatals and companies from within and outside of Nigeria.
You also run Esob Foundation. What is it all about and what are some of the works your foundation has done?
Esob Heroes is the foundation arm of our business at ESOB Events. It is a growing community of thousands of women all over the world. Our mandate is to empower women with skill sets, tools and knowledge for an equal and purposeful future with a focus on nation building. We achieve this through various platforms – Esob Academy, Inspiring Change Conference, Mentor Meets Mentee and several other outreaches that help to restore hope, educate the girl child deliberately and inspire women to not only recognise, but maximize their full potentials for a more rewarding future.
Esob must be a significant name. What does it mean?
Esob is simply my middle name “BOSE” in reverse. It was a nickname I fell in love with as a teenage girl and decided to adopt the same as my business name.
Inspiring Change is one of the platforms through which you empower women. You recently held the ninth edition of the Inspiring Change Conference. To those learning about it for the first time, what is it all about?
The Inspiring Change Conference like I earlier mentioned is an Esob Heroes initiative, borne out of the urge to impact women, inspire change and transform the lives of those striving to lead in their diverse professions. The conference holds annually in March in commemoration of the International Women’s Day and seeks to empower women of value, inspire the change that ensures the future of the girl-child is equal, safe and rewarding, while educating deliberately, those striving to take the lead in business, ministry and career with a focus on nation building.
You invite other speakers to the conference to share from their wealth of experience. What determines the kind of speakers you choose to speak at this annual event?
Over the last eight years, the conference has hosted women who have been able to bridge gender gaps in their respective industries dominated by men. Such leading female entrepreneurs include Jumoke Adenowo, Ibukun Awosika, Pastor Nike Adeyemi, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya and several others who have graced the platform to impact knowledge on our global audience. Every year comes with its unique agenda, and this year’s focus was driven by the theme: RUN FORWARD, which is why we had a diverse line-up of speakers from both the public and private sectors from different parts of the world. Speakers for this year’s conference were Tosin Olaseinde, the CEO of Money Africa; Oyindamola Ossai, a boardroom guru and HR professional; Bisola Adeniyi, a fashion entrepreneur; Ify Mogekwu, a lawyer and food blogger/influencer; Mary Akpobome, David Adeoye, Ini Abimbola, etc.
How would you assess the success of this year’s conference vis-a-vis past editions?
The Inspiring Change Conference is one of a kind event and has been rated amongst one of the most inspiring conferences in the last seven years. It is one of the most anticipated annual conferences that seek to actively challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve the lives and situation of SMES and of course celebrate the outstanding achievement of our women trail blazers. To the glory of God, the platform has recorded tremendous, life changing business and career success in the last nine years. The results of the impactful sessions in past editions and even this year’s speak for itself. Many start-ups who were lost, confused or not sure about how to navigate their success journey in business and ministry have testified to gaining clarity and drawing strength from the life lessons shared on the platform of the inspiring change conference. This year’s participants didn’t return with the same mentality. They got fired up to ‘Run Forward’. The conference was a no-holds-barred event and the energy that enveloped the atmosphere, especially during the “Girl Talk” session, got people shouting and screaming as they could not sit still. In fact, those who were second guessing or procrastinating their next move or searching for answers about the process of blossoming in business, ministry, career pivoting and growth, got the answers they sought. It was absolutely incredible.
What has been most challenging about hosting this conference over the years and how have you been able to overcome the challenge?
Being a free-for-all conference, access to partnership and support was one of our major challenges at the initial stage, but due to the notable nation building impact of the conference, we have since attracted support from not only private entities, but also from a few corporate bodies. And we have also raised partners who support and take up the burden of hosting a seamless week-long event with a dedicated planning committee and committed group of volunteers working tirelessly to ensure the success of each edition.
You are a woman of many parts. You sit on the board of several companies and you are a pastor married to a church founder. How do you find the time to attend to these aspects of your life?
I am grateful for the gift of a supportive spouse, who I call my brainiest bride groom. By shared influence, constant mentorship and keenly observing his leadership qualities, I have been groomed into the woman I am today and still evolving to be more. I thank God every time for the blessing of a supportive family and competent hands who assist with roles I can delegate, while I focus on and prioritise those I can’t. It’s not a walk over.
Did you ever think you would end up as the wife of a church founder?
I may be who I am today by His Grace, but not even I could have thought I would end up as Pastor David Adeoye’s wife but look at God. His ways are not our ways and neither are His thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. When he asked me to marry him, I was happy and nervous. My head spun and my heart raced. With time, things began to get clearer and I was so sure he was the one. Today I am eternally grateful for the gift of my husband. He is indeed God’s own choice for me.
How did you meet Pastor Adeoye?
I met him in church. He was pastoring a large gathering of young people in my community and as a committed member of another church within the same vicinity, my singing group would usually go to minister in his church during their special meetings.
What kind of impression did he make on you that made you decide to want to spend the rest of your life with him?
I had asked God for a man after His heart, a father, a friend, a brother and a mentor whenever I prayed and Pastor Adeoye ticked the box. In fact, when I queried “why him” in prayers, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my prayers and said God gave me David (A man after His own heart) so why do I doubt my answer? He honestly didn’t need to make any impression, I simply recognised him as the answer to my requests and the divine compensation I prayerfully sought from God.
Unlike most men who do not consider marriage with a single mother of two, what do you think made him accept you? This I ask for those in similar situations
My pastor (Adeoye) had always preached the new creation reality. So when it was His turn to practise it, he didn’t need motivation. His decision was made from a place of personal conviction with God. I can still remember the convincing smile on his face and the voice of assurance the day he made his intention known to marry me. He had already made up his mind and not one he could have made in a hurry. Just like he is the answer to my prayers, he was convinced my children and I were his answer, too. It takes a man of great faith and courage to take the bold step he took despite the many confrontations and media outburst. I will forever celebrate him for this and many more. He is my hero.
What is married life like with Pastor Adeoye?
We have been married since 2013 and by July 2022 it would have been nine years of bliss. It is different when the one Abba gives to you fears Him. Pastor loves and honours me differently. He is very patient and extremely kind. He prioritises family and he is very gentle. With him I found the true definition of love (as written in the book of 1 Cor. 13:4-8).
You gave birth to your fourth child last year. How would you describe motherhood?
Motherhood is a divine assignment. It is seeing my heart beat outside my body. A very sacrificial and beautiful journey that requires that you give your all as it necessitates per time. I count myself blessed to be a mother of both male and female children.
As one with experience on this aspect and having written a book on it, what would you say is the most important aspect of raising a child, especially in this era of social media?
In proverbs 22:6, the Bible says that we train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. To train up a child requires some level of dedication and time. Giving your resources to grooming your child is good, but what is most important is time. Devote your time to nurturing, teaching, communing, loving and being there for them like I wrote in my first book titled, Parenting a Creative Child. It is in this time you discover the greatness that rests in their hearts.
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt so far?
One of my most important life lessons is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for better or worse. So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it or the one who runs, but on God who shows mercy.
What would you say must have significantly shaped you to be who you are today?
The knowledge of the word of God has significantly transformed how I think and the application of these words has given birth to the obvious results that I now manifest as I simply keep asking. I keep seeking and keep knocking the word as I see myself through the lens of God, while taking my place in destiny.
As a co-labourer with your husband in the kingdom, who are some of the people you look up to for inspiration and why?
My late mentor, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, is one of my great sources of inspiration. Her life, simplicity, love for God and people and knowledge of the word of God, which she breaks down with simplicity, inspires me greatly. All things work together for the good of those who trust in the Lord. So I am trusting God absolutely with everything. I look up to Him. He is my inspiration.
You are an ambassador of the Cheri Blair foundation. What is that like and what exactly are your duties as an ambassador of such a prestigious organisation?
As a Cheri Blair foundation brand ambassador, I am saddled with the responsibility of using my platforms to advocate change on behalf of the foundation and the women entrepreneurs they support. This is a privileged position. This I achieve by impacting and influencing my community positively, pointing youths to the “Road To Growth” programmes and various growth opportunities and learning tools that will make them live a purposeful life in order to transform Africa’s economic empowerment landscape. I must say this privileged position gives me access to a wider network of growth opportunities for women in business in Nigeria and further strengthens my vision at the Inspiring change initiative.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
