Ngozi Jason-Nwadinobi is a writer, speaker, and works with a Federal Government parastatal in Oil and Gas. As a speaker who has featured on virtual and physical platforms like Tedx, and has inspired a lot of people. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she takes you into her world, talking about her passion for people, as well as having a burden to help change their mindset positively.
Tell us about your memories of childhood, what dreams did you have then?
I attended K. Kotun Nursery and Primary School, a private school on Bode Thomas, in Surulere, Lagos.
My secondary education was at Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri. Secondary school was fun; the only thing I didn’t like was having to travel all the way to and from Lagos/Imo states every term. It was quite stressful.
Like most children in those days, I wanted to be a doctor.
I later decided to be a teacher, then briefly toyed with the idea of going into news broadcasting. Also, I remember that I wanted to work with an international organisation like UNICEF or UNESCO. In retrospect, I think it was my love for people and passion for helping them that made me desire to work in the above mentioned places.
What lessons has life taught you?
Life has taught me to be myself and not try to be someone else. I’ve learnt to love myself and accept myself for who I am, while still working on being the best of myself. I’ve got to be happy, no matter what challenges life throws at me. Things always seem better and easier when you’re happy, than when you’re not.
What are some of changes you will like to see in Nigeria today?
I’d like Nigerians, including myself, to take responsibility for where we need to be. If we stop pointing accusing fingers at the next person, and do our little bit, I believe we’d have a better country.
Some of these little changes could be keeping to time, keeping appointments, being honest in our dealings with others, keep your word when you make promises, etc.
What are the principles that guide what you do?
The first principle that I live by, is “do as you would be done by”.
This means that I choose to treat people the way I’d like to be treated. I’d also like to be known as a person of integrity, as one whose word can be taken to the bank, because I mean what I say, and say what I mean.
Tell us how you got into writing?
Well, I would say that it has been a very interesting journey. I have always written, informally though. Right from primary school, I’d always been told that I had a flair for writing.
I always did well in essay writing in primary and secondary schools. I however started writing intentionally, after I became a christian, the focus was to encourage and inspire people. First, with friends and family, then on Facebook. What was the experience like at the beginning?
I thought I knew it all! However, experience has shown me that I didn’t, I don’t, and there’s always room to learn more.
People always complemented my writing. So, I took that to mean that I was really good at it; almost perfect, in fact!
After publishing my first book, I started putting the materials together for my second book, I realised that the more you do something the better you become.
I noticed I was writing more effortlessly and writing became more seamless for me.
What are the other things that you are passionate about?
I am interested in all things that have to do with women and children.
Women go through a lot; most especially in this part of the world, and when a woman suffers, her children suffer too.
As a woman who also has children, I’d like to do my own bit to help ease the unfairness of life that gets thrown at us and by extension, our children.
You are also a speaker, what do you talk about?
I speak about issues like mental, emotional and spiritual health. Life starts from the inside, that’s why we need to learn and understand how to live from the inside out, and not the other way around. If you’re good on the inside, you’ll definitely be good on the outside.
How has this influenced your personality?
I used to be very shy, with very low self esteem, but with all I’ve learnt and still learning, I have overcome most of my limiting beliefs.
As I’m also passionate about teaching people, especially women. I am my first student, and I know I have to be a worthy example for others to follow.
What are the challenges you encountered with the COVID_19 pandemic?
At first, I was apprehensive about my safety and that of my loved ones, but my Pastor kept bombarding us with God’s word, and I became strengthened.
Secondly, my absolute favourite way to de-stress and let my hair down, is by travelling; especially out of the country. I couldn’t do this throughout last year, and by October, it started getting to me.
I had to make a 4 day trip in November, to Abuja, to calm myself down and recharge.
It helped a lot.
What are some of the memorable moments in your life and career?
There has been so many memorable moments in my life and career. This include when I got the exact kind of job that I had been dreaming of. The second was when I got married to the kind of man I wanted to marry, and another would be when I was finally able to get pregnant and have children.
I also remember the day a publisher approached me and told me how much value my writings have, and she encouraged me to write a book. This was how my first book was birthed.
Tell us about the people you admire?
There are quite a number of people that I admire, but I’ll just mention three of them.
The first is Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. It was from him that I first learnt about the importance of mindset in our lives.
There is also Pastor Joy Amenkhienan; she’s so strong and bold, she doesn’t allow anybody or anything to stand in her way once she decides what she wants.
I also admire Chimamanda Adichie. Hers is an international household name, and I know it didn’t come by chance; she did her work. She also always seems so confident and sure of herself.
I look forward to that season when my name will be known all over the world.
What are the new areas that you are looking at?
I’ve gone into coaching, and working on speaking on bigger stages.
I believe I have a special calling for women.
So, I have a coaching programme where I work with them to see themselves the way God sees them, renew their minds so they can revamp their lives.
In other words, I work with these women to improve the quality of their thoughts, so they can improve the quality of their lives, live their dreams and be the best version of themselves.
What type of books do you like to read?
I like fiction a lot, I also like history books and biographies.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
The Holy Spirit, my late father and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
What is your definition of style?
For me, style is first of all, comfortable, then classy, and timeless. I don’t always follow trends.
How would you assess female authors in Nigeria today?
Writing, in Nigeria, used to be dominated by the male folk, but that’s beginning to change now.
We need to encourage our young women to dare to put themselves out there, and show the world what they’ve got.
What message do you have for Nigerian youths at this time?
Don’t give up! The environment we live in Nigeria is definitely a challenging one, but they can aspire to be the best that they can be, and see it come to pass.
Through the years, and various experiences that I have had, I have learnt that the power to create the life we want lies within us; that we can be in charge of our emotions, words, habits, and ultimately our lives and this has propelled me to help others, women especially, realize the potential that lies within them.
I also believe that God has specially called me to promote, inspire, motivate and encourage women to be their best and fulfill their purpose in life and living this calling through various avenues such as, publishing my book, “Mindset Matters”, creating online platforms where I encourage and inspires women to take practical steps towards living their best lives and providing resources that encourage a healthy mindset .
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