Yemisi Alatise is a philanthropist, business woman and was a juvenile magistrate in the Lagos State Judicial Commission for five years. The amazon has just been elected as the number two position of International Inner Wheel Club Worldwide. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about the journey to the top, challenges, as well as women and leadership.
WHAT are some of the principles that have helped to shape your life?
My parents were disciplinarians; they helped shaped my life. I worked very hard as a small girl. I spent all my secondary school holidays on a kola nut farm in my mother’s home town; from there I earned my school fees and that of my younger siblings. Working hard to achieve result is part of me. I believe in what you sow, you reap. I don’t believe in short cut. What you strive and work hard to get lasts long with peaceful enjoyment.
How would you assess the performance of women in leadership positions in Nigeria today?
Women are reputed to be better managers. A few of our female leaders are pride to us. We have had some wanting ones, which is normal. But, generally, we are more accountable, trust worthy and most of them, given very responsible job to do, have not disappointed us for achievements.
What was the first job you did and how did it influence your life?
Since when I can remember, I do all my father’s laundries and cooked his meals. I started earning money as a farmer. When I left secondary school, I was employed as a shorthand typist with T. A. Braithwaite Insurance Brokers, and later as confidential secretary with Lepetit Pharmaceutical Products, Ikeja.
You studied law, what influenced this decision and where did you practice?
At the age of 40, all my six children were more in school than home. I had plenty of time in my hands and I decided to have a tertiary education; I had Diploma-in-Law from the Lagos State University. I was engaged as a Lay/Juvenile Magistrate by Lagos State Judicial Commission, and was there for five years.
Tell us about your life as an entrepreneur and philanthropist
Whilst raising up my children, I was also an entrepreneur. I was a distributor with Nestle Products, Cadbury Nigeria, Thomas Whyatt Paper Converters, Star Match Nigeria Ltd, and was very successful. It was very easy for me to be philanthropic. In my little way, I helped traders with short term loans and gave credit to petty traders under me. I empowered a lot of women through my trade from zero capital to petty traders. I practised a micro credit without interest. I tried to touch the lives of as many petty traders within my purview.
What are some of the issues affecting women that you are passionate about?
I am passionate about not seeing women being wicked to girls, through physical abuse. The female genital mutilation is carried out on our girls with the support of our older women. It is a harmful practice. This practice can be stopped if the mothers objected to not having their children’s lives destroyed under their supervision. In some parts of Nigeria, the abuse on widows is carried out by women against women.
How can the incoming administration help to create a better environment for women?
They should make life easier to live. Give us electricity, good roads in the inter-lands. I want the government to revisit Extension Service in the rural areas to help farmers. They also need to work on the preparation of land for planting, harvesting and transportation of farm products to the market place. Farming should be supported with soft loans, subsided fertilizer in the southern part of the country. This will make farming more profitable and can stop migration to urban area.
If you had to advise Nigerian women, what would you tell them?
To be economically independent. In any situation they find themselves, they should strive to improve on it. If married, ensure you bring up your children with right morals, and good education. I want to see women very confident to say no to domestic violence.
You are the first Nigerian to be elected as the vice president, International Inner Wheel Club. How did the journey start and what are some of the positions held in the past?
I joined the Inner Wheel Club of Lagos in 1978. IWC of Lagos is within District 911 that has over 60 clubs under its supervision and coordination. I was president of my club in 1988/89, and I picked up a muted project from my predecessor, raised fund and built the Children’s Transit Centre, Idi-Araba. It’s now the home for over 70 children, kept away from moral danger, until reunion with their parents. As District Chairman, I raised fund and started the construction of one of Inner Wheel’s biggest physical projects in Nigeria at Amuwo Odofin, a Vocational Training Centre.
What gave you the advantage over those you vied the position with?
I will not call it advantage. It’s just the right time and destiny. Our membership in Nigeria is less than 1,000; the other contestants have over 3,000 members in their countries. I was voted for in over 100 countries. It is the first time an African will be elected to that position in the 93 years of its formation and its 50 years in Nigeria. Members in Nigeria have spent the past 20 years projecting the image of Nigeria in a positive way. By attending and interacting with other countries’ programmes, participating and contributing to various funds to help disasters in countries where we have Inner Wheel.
Were there challenges? If yes, how did you overcome them?
There are challenges in any endeavour of life. They are meant to strengthen and add to your wealth of experiences. We have membership challenges. The acceptance of women in Rotary robbed us of members. Until about 10 years ago, we derived our membership from Rotarians, and we used to be the Inner wheel of the Rotary. It was extended to daughters, nieces, and mothers of Rotarians, until three years ago, when our Constitution was amended to allow us invite respectable like mind women to join our club, depending on the approval of other members.
How would you describe the journey to the top? What were some of the sacrifices that you had to make?
My journey to the top has been very interesting, and I learnt to serve and smile every minute of my participation in club, district, national and international activities. When you enjoy what you do there is no need for sacrifice. I handled international joint project with high integrity, transparency and accountability. I became a member automatically because of my late husband, Otunba S. O. Alatise’s membership of Rotary Club of Lagos. He encouraged me to participate fully with financial and emotional support.
What does the position entail; what are some of the projects that you would be carrying out?
I will work closely with the president, be prepared to take over duties of president of International Inner Wheel. The vice-president is the co-ordinator for the UN representative. I will also visit one of the UN Centres with UN International Inner Wheel representatives on a rotational basis.