Posted by Kemi Dayo-Aiyetan on
If you are not careful with this woman, she could be a very hard nut to crack. Frank and very down-to-earth, it was no surprise that she is the Woman leader of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos chapter.
If you are not careful with this woman, she could be a very hard nut to crack. Frank and very down-to-earth, it was no surprise that she is the Woman leader of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos chapter. 'A woman is confident when she has nothing to hide. In life, if you don't compromise, you can raise your head high and not be intimidated by anybody," she said matter-of-frankly. According Chief Onikepo Oshodi, she has been in politics for over 20 years.
'That was around 1985, when I was in the north with my family, where I was involved in humanitarian services and always travelling. I was introduced to politics by the late Gen. Shehu Yar'adua, who closely observed my activities and told my husband. I now realised that I could do better in politics, since my aim and objectives in the humanitarian field were to serve the people," she recalled.
So, to the Senate, she headed but lost. 'Then, I was in the National Republican Convention (NRC). They said that I was a conservative and they were the progressives but anyone who watched the campaign knew I had something to offer." With the manner she talked about politics, you would doubt her abilities as a wife and mother but she retorted: 'I'm a total wife and mother to both my husband and sons.
In some cases, some women lose their heads while in politics but any woman who is disciplined, would not compromise. I can't compromise my moral dignity. How much will the man give me? Any woman from a good background will always stick to her ideals. I always tell women at any meeting that they should let their good works and morals speak for them and not selling their bodies to these men. Though male politicians are richer than female politicians, our integrity will bail us out, just have the right ideals."
Oshodi confessed that her children were grown up before she became a politician. 'My two sons are abroad now and I'm left with only my husband at home. Anything I do, he supports me. I remember when I was involved in an auto crash and I was hospitalised for five months at the Eko Hospital, he was there for me and even after I recovered, he didn't stop me."
Maybe that geared her to having a dream of being a female governor and has vowed never to go back. Won't she succumb to pressure? 'Pressure?" she inquired, pointing to her right leg. 'After I almost lost a leg and the scar is there, how do you expect me to succumb to pressure. I have a Non Governmental Organisation on women empowerment, and we enlighten women on the act of governance from the local government level to the federal.
'We draw up programmes, hold talks and seminars, coupled with workshops to make our women and men know about governance." She sounds too strict to be a politician. 'I know," came her reply. 'As a matter of fact, I know that I will be labelled Magaret Thatcher if I were a female governor. This anti-corruption war will be taken to every level of governance, especially the local governments."
She would not reveal her age. 'If I do, I'm sure that they will say that I'm too old for certain positions, so I would not say that," came her humourous reply. Despite her age, she uses make-up generously and a handful of jewellery. 'Who says that I'm old? I've always loved jewellry and I can't go out without using one." On how and when she rests, she replied: 'My mother says that it's when you are out of this world that you rest, but as long as you are here, you work. That's what I do."