Susan Jumoke Fajana-Thomas is a Nigerian British politician and activist. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talked about life as a politician with the UK, memorable moments, role models and the things that inspire her.
WHAT motivated you to become a politician in the UK?
Different reasons drive people to pursue a political career. Sometimes it is idealism, ideology or because of wanting to become a voice for people. So, I will say my motivation was about wanting to be an advocate, to making a difference and to contribute to making the world a better place. This is a trait I inherited from my father, from a young age growing up in Nigeria. My father thought me the value of supporting people in your community, he thought me that to be a success you must contribute to other people’s lives.
I have been a campaigner since I was in Nigeria. I was involved in The Better Life Programme for Rural Women project in Nigeria that started in 1987 by Hajia Maryam Babangida, the wife of President Ibrahim Babangida. When I came to the UK a few years later I continued in that spirit, I was involved with community work. I got together with people to set up a residence association where I lived and had a Resource Centre.
While I was doing these things in the community, I also joined the Labour Party through my Trade Union. A few of my local Labour members that knew about my work in the community encouraged me to become active in politics. It made sense; it was a logical extension of my community activism. In 2006, I stood for the first time as a Councillor in the local elections.
Tell us about your experience as a Mayor?
It was a privilege and I will always be thankful to my colleagues and the people that I represent. As the civic Mayor, it means that in your local area you are the number one citizen, you are representing the Queen and have the opportunity to attend many ceremonial and public duties. My term was in the run- up to the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebration.
I attended around 400 events, met many young people, I presided over 20 citizenship ceremonies to welcome new British citizens and presided over Council meetings as the Speaker. I travelled far and wide within the UK and outside the UK and met many prominent people. The icing on the cake was having lunch with Queen Elizabeth as part of the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations. It was a good experience and I would not trade it for anything!
What are some of the memorable times with the Labour Party?
I am proud of what the Labour Party stands for and as an elected politician in the Party, every moment is memorable for me. The Labour Party has always been about people, it was built on equality, social justice and compassion. It was formed to give ordinary people a voice and has sought power in order to improve people’s lives.
The party has given me a platform to become a prominent campaigner and the opportunity to represent people on the council as a socialist. Having said this, two memories stood out for me. When I became the first Black woman to Chair Hackney North and Stoke Newington Constituency. Secondly, in 2018 elections, I had the highest number of votes among over 200 candidates in my area.
You are also a socio-political activist, what inspires the things you do?
My inspiration is to create change and to improve society’s functioning. I am a socialist that is passionate about various issues in our society. A few of my campaigns focuses on trying to persuade people to change their behaviours and others to persuade governments to change laws.
Outspoken and challenging on the issues that many people seek to avoid. I’ve become an interesting and distinct voice on topics previously considered as taboo within the African community, such as mental health. As a mental health campaigner, I am campaigning to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems. As part of this, my organisation is working with Secure-D-Future in Nigeria to run significant mental health anti-stigma programmes.
I am also campaigning on eradication of early child marriage and on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which I believe is barbaric. Children under 16 years have no emotional capacity to commit to a lifelong decision such as marriage. Early child marriage is an abuse. I am also involved in campaigning around gender equality and women economic empowerment. Women in many African countries and homes are relegated into being housewives, without having their own income or profession. I have campaigned for equality for women, so that women can go out there and be empowered. As a woman, it is important for me that women are not just there to be supporters or just to bear children but as equal partners with their husbands.
Importantly, I am a Universal Peace Ambassador. Of course, there would be conflict, but I believe that we need to resolve conflict in a peaceful way. I have gone round the world talking about peaceful resolutions to conflict. I am glad that in my little way, I have been able to make a difference in our society and helping to change people’s lives.
Tell us about life at NTA?
I had a fantastic time at NTA, I started as a Duty Continuity Announcer and to a Producer and was the Head of Presentation Unit before I left the shores of Nigeria. Working at NTA exposed me not just to broadcasting but public life. Importantly the experience helped me to lay a solid foundation for my current public life in the UK. I have not totally left my TV career behind; I still appear regularly on TV as a commentator/panelist.
Tell us about the other things that occupy your time?
Number one on the list is my family and friends, I love my family. The other thing is my organisation, SFT Foundation Trust with the objective to help build and develop better communities by supporting families through training, coaching, mentoring, awareness generation and research. I mentor and support young people to becoming activists and politicians both in Africa and here in the UK.
My years of dedication has earned me seats on board of various organisations, and these also occupies my time.
Tell us about the people that you admire?
I admire the men in my life, and I have a few women that I admire greatly. Some of these women are my friends and mentor and a few are my mentees and a few strong African women. My list includes, Diane Abbott MP, Jeannette Arnold, Angeline Makore, Sitawa Wafula, Jenny Okafor, Linda Ikeji, Nina Simone, Oprah Winfrey, Toni Morrison and Michelle Obama. I love and admire my mother, she is a woman that has been through storms but she has always comes out on the other side. For that, I celebrate her.
Finally on my list is late Maya Angelou, she said success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it. I really see myself in this sentence.
Do you have people that you mentor?
Oh yes, I mentor and support young people to becoming activists and politicians both in Africa and here in the UK. I also provide emotional mentoring to young people, helping to produce social and emotional growth that will improve their relationships with peers, parents, and other adults as well as their overall wellbeing and success in life.
Who or what do you consider to be the greatest influence in your life?
There is no doubt about the who, it was my late father Festus Olusola Fajana. He was my greatest influence.
The what is this quote “A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work”.
What lessons has life taught you?
What life has taught me is that you do not get everything you plan for or our plans are not necessarily God’s plans. Life has taught me that everything is temporary. If you are in this position today, you need to be conscious that things might change tomorrow. Life has taught me that I am my greatest friend, critic and the only person, that can create a successful me. Life has taught me that I should know who I am and who I want to become. Life has taught me to understand that there are always potholes on the way in life and that you must do one or two things, either to navigate around the potholes and get yourself to the other side. Or to decide that you want to halt your travel by going through the potholes and damage your car.
Life has taught me that when you are focused, hard working, when you know what you are doing and where you are going , definitely , you would have success and accomplish many things.
What is your definition of style?
I am a stylish woman; I love to look and feel good in my clothes. I wear colours and styles that flatters my physical appearance and reflect my personality. My style is super chic, dramatic, elegant and gorgeous. I would not go wear things just because they are fashionable or in season.
I love to look good because I believe looking good and successfully is halfway to being successful. I have a very excellent fashion personality. When I step out, I want to be elegant and sophisticated in what I wear. I am one of those women whose weight fluctuates, today I am size 12, next year 14 or16. I love to coordinate my clothing and accessories and I have a selection of vintage jewellery. My jewellery speaks for themselves because they are bold and beautiful.
What are some of your challenges as a politician?
Of course, there are challenges, layers of them and being a Black woman is one of them. Hard work and tenacity pay, so I work harder daily. Most important thing you can do is to be clear about your priorities and constantly review them to ensure you are doing those things that are giving you fulfillment.
If you had to advise young people, what would you tell them?
My advice to young people is that it is always good to think differently, empower yourself, believe in yourself, believe you can fly and believe you can achieve whatever you set your mind upon. Be guided by good values in the way you live and work. When the things that you do and the way you behave match your values, life is usually good.
Don’t be afraid of failure, failure is part of success and try as much as possible not to walk before you crawl. Don’t look for quick money, fame or going into criminality but look for fulfilment. When you look for fulfillment, success would come. When you look for fulfillment, fame would come.
Tell us about your plan for 2020?
I outlined a few rough goals to accomplish this year, including a continuation of a partnership work in Africa. I also wanted to start Baby Box Scheme in Nigeria, the Baby Box Scheme, is delivering package for new-borns.
As they say man proposes, God dispose. I did not know that coronavirus pandemic would unleash terror all over the world in 2020. Now, all I’m looking forward to an end to the coronavirus pandemic and having a bit of normality in my life. I want to be me, healthy and happy. Most famous importantly to continue to exalt and elevate God.
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