By Bianca Iboma
Lady Risikat Adeola Adisa is the founder and Executive Director of Raman Foundation, a non-governmental organization that is working to reverse or reduce the incidence of an NGO that seeks to reduce the number of children out of school as result of financial constraints. The NGO runs sensitisation programmes on the situation of street children in Lagos and Osun states. In the four years that the NGO has been in operation, it has recorded some success in the rural areas by enrolling out-of-school children back into the school system. In this interview, she talks about her mum and the work of the NGO.
How would you describe your relationship with your mum as a child and then teenager?
Growing up as a little girl, I was very quiet. I was the reserved type, the kind of person that would be described as an introvert. My mum (Mrs Muyibat Adisa) actually influenced my life as a child. She showed me affection, care and love. She was able to mould me as a child and never hesitated to use the rod of correction when it was necessary. My mum only had informal education but she was able to use it to affect me in a positive way. I am the last of the six children she had. My mum understood that great achievement of life could be attained when a child gets educated. She presented education to me as a beautiful journey that could transform a girl into a woman viewed in a positive and respectable light.
She always ensured that I did house chores with my siblings. If I did anything nasty as a child, she never spared the rod, to her it was what she needed to remove the foolishness out of me. I have beautiful memories of her eulogising me in our language whenever I did her proud. She would pamper me at such times. My mum is my guardian angel, I am very close to her. The relationship has always been cordial. We talk easily. When I was young, we used to chat a lot and she would call me nice names and showered praises that made my head to swell with excitement and joy.
My mum was able to nurture me with a sense of security. She created a strong foundation for my future. I benefitted from her because she was a supportive woman. She encouraged me to mix up in school and not be a loner. I grew up a healthy and happy child because mum was always directing me.
When you reached teenage age, what advice did she give you about boys?
As a teenager, she advised that I shouldn’t go with boys to hidden places alone. When my menstrual cycle started, I remember she told me that once I have anything to do with boys that I would get pregnant automatically. You don’t sit on a boys lap, don’t hug or even get close she said. I became careful. My mother gave me a head-start in life.
My mum encouraged me to pursue education which was the first step that turned me into a knowledgeable woman. Education is so important for children whether male or female. She was able to guide me away from trouble and led me into a better life.
What is the relationship between your kids and their grandmother?
Sweet and joyful. They know how to relate well with her and they are quite understanding. She makes them happy too. My mother admires the way they are growing and how they are learning to be adults; it reminds her of me. She appreciates more of the sacrifices. My mum used to be strict and tough; she was in-charge of the family sphere. Today, she always shares her life experiences with the kids.
What do you miss about your mum?
Yea! I think it is her cooking, she can no longer cook because of her age. As I continue to soar through life, I hold on to the inspirational and motivational words of my mother. My mum is someone I look up to and she is one person that truly understands me. She is my hero, my rock and my support system. A mother’s love is rare and wonderful, nothing can replace the space she has in our hearts. She has been nothing but influential and the centre of my universe. She never fails to force a smile on my face and inspire me to greatness. I am so thankful to my mum, I pray and hope to be half the woman she is. She is dedicated and loves to worship and makes me pray always. She is the strongest and most incredible woman I know. She sacrifices her time for me. Actually, there were times of frustration for my mum but she only wanted the best. She was multitasking, juggled her problems and petty business and was still there for the family. I am giving my mum a nice pat on the back. She would wake up so early to give us breakfast and go to sleep well past sunset just to make sure I came home and in bed, safe. Even when she was tired, they still managed to go about the day with a smile on their face. Whenever I was sick, or scared my mum would get so worried and go out of her way to make sure everything was fine. She loves me unconditionally, no matter what I do, whatever mistakes I make or say; no matter how much I upset her, her love for me has never subsided. It is always unconditional. I live in a world where sometimes you don’t realise how hurtful our words can be. She put up with my crap. No matter the fight or disagreement, I could always count on her to resolve the issue. She would say open your heart and drop the resentments because my mum would rather hug it out and put it in the past. Her smile is contagious and I can’t help but cave in when I see her.
What is her favourite meal?
Amala, ewedu and gbegiri soup.
What makes her happy?
When she sees me by her side. She likes communicating, so I do that with her on phone. I make her tell me about her daily activities. I gist a lot with her. I know exactly how she feels. She needs someone to talk with her because she needs the attention; those things make her happy.
Do you have any regret about your mum?
I don’t think so but let me give you this illustration. As young adults some girls may find it difficult to open up and have a daughter-mother talk but somehow she was able to force it. She gave me some assurance when I had such challenge and helped me maintain balance. My mum lessened the pain of childbirth with her love and care. She taught how to navigate my messy world, and this has remained wonderful to me. I am a mother too, being a mother is tough and an unrelenting task to engage in. It transforms a woman’s life overnight. I don’t have any regret about my mum. I am just fine with her. When I reached puberty, my relationship with her became tricky and I started to feel shy and embarrassed. Oh! My lovely mum, she opened up discussions that made me comfortable with her.
What informed your decision to set up an NGO?
Ramman Foundation was developed in response to the poor standard of education available for local children that are out of school. I began nurturing the ambition because my mum didn’t go to school, but her wealth of knowledge is amazing. She was deprived of formal education, but she encouraged her children to get education. She is 89 years old presently and I pray that God Almighty continue to protect her for me.
Despite the fact that mum didn’t get education she trained her children properly because she was able to interact with us through our local dialect. She used the traditional way to drive home her message. She was able to inculcate discipline and moral values. Today by the grace of God, we have been able to achieve success to a large extent.
Basically, the foundation aims to provide quality, alternative basic education opportunities for out-of -school children in the nation. I noticed that children work as labourers at construction sites, hawk and do other menial jobs to support their very poor families. In spite of the fact that there are laws protecting the rights of children but when it is a socio-economic challenge it can’t be abandoned but solutions should be provided. That is why the foundation was founded and by the grace of God I have been able to impact a lot of lives. I started from communities in Lagos and now moving to Osun state. I realised that these children could be useful in the society, if they have the opportunity. That is why I started enrolling children on my own. I make sure that the children get all the required means of learning such as textbooks, school bags, uniform and sandals. This is not to show off but to impact society. The value placed on education should not be underestimated. Later I decided to set up the foundation, to impact the society with this initiative.