By Christy Anyanwu
‘Lade Hephzibah Olugbemi, a British citizen of Nigerian extraction, is immersed in political governance and has done so well, becoming in the process a voice for people in her borough in the United Kingdom (UK).
In this interview with Sunday Sun in London, she reveals her successful and fulfilling journey into British politics.
Tell us more about yourself?
Really, I wear different hats and sometimes it can be difficult choosing which one of the hats I can use in describing myself. Let us start from the one closest to my heart: I am the delight of God, that is the meaning of the name Hephzibah! That was a name that came about during a personal encounter some years back and it has stuck with me.
I am a grandmother to two lovely grandchildren, a mother, mentor, mentee, motivational speaker, a preacher of the word of God, an advocate, activist and a mental health advocate.
I am a Councillor in the Royal Borough of Greenwich representing West Thamesmead in the United Kingdom. I am passionate about making a difference in my community and any environment I am placed to be the voice to the voiceless and supporting or advocating for those who may not be able to speak up fully for themselves.
I am a graduate from the Ondo State University. I was in the second set, 1983, that was admitted to the university, when it was called Obafemi Awolowo University and later changed to Ondo State University. I graduated in 1987 with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in English and Literary Studies. I proceeded in 2003 to study Law at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Commercial and Business Law.
Tell us about life as a lawyer, mental health expert and councillor in the UK?
I am a non-practising lawyer. Though I do not practise, I use my legal skills and other appropriate skills in my professional life. You get to see which side of me depending on the angle and the seat I am sitting on.
I have a full-time job as a senior manager in one of the local authorities in London. This is aside of my job as a councillor. I also run a registered charity organisation called The Nous Organisation. We are licensed as Mental Health First Aid trainers and we also consult for organisations on mental wellbeing of staff and community members. We organise seminars, conferences and speak at events on mental health issues.
I became a councillor in May 2022. One of the proudest moments of my life was receiving the vote from my constituents to be their representative in the borough and advocating for them on local matters. It is a tough job. The selection process was rigorous and very demanding. However, with the support of God and great political mentors, I was able to scale through. The journey so far has been very, very demanding and a lot of learning.
What inspired you to go into UK politics?
I was inspired to go into politics because I strongly believe that we are all political beings. We cannot all sit on armchairs and criticise government and complain about what is not working. I got up and believed that I could make a difference. I decided to join a party that represented my beliefs and ethos about fairness, equity and justice. I wanted to be in the company of men and women who believe that we can all make a difference by ensuring that laws, procedures and policies are truly reflective of the needs of the local community.
I was inspired to go into politics as an extension of my advocacy work in the field of mental health. I have always had it in me. I guess God allowed the right opportunity to come up for me to step into an arena where I truly can make a difference.
I was inspired by the various work I had seen politicians do in the boroughs where I worked, and their selflessness. Over here in the UK, you get paid a miserly allowance that is not commensurate with the amount of time and work that you do, yet I saw and observed so many go out of their way to support residents. I wanted to be that person too. That person that will hold local government officials to account and work with them to make sure that views of locals are taken on board!
I was inspired to go into politics by my uncle who was the former chief whip of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Sola Adeyeye. An astute academic, a forthright no-nonsense politician, who embodied true politicking at all levels. I watched him several times and his debating styles on the floor of the Senate. Yes, politics in Nigeria is tough, he spoke out against so many vices and he stood for the truth!
Moreover, I was inspired by Jesus to go into politics. He represented the true embodiment of socialism! That was the reason the people thought that he was a leader in the flesh. He came to set the captives free, provided for the hungry and was vocally challenging authorities that were not usually challenged.
What was the experience at the beginning?
It was very challenging. Several meetings and tests. Before you can be shortlisted, you have to go through a process which is daunting. You face your peers and comrades and have to convince them that you are capable of representing the party. That you possess the skills, the emotional intelligence, resilience and capacity to do the job. After the shortlisting you now have the arduous task of contacting residents, to vote for your party. There are over 20,000 residents in my ward. This entails days of knocking on doors, in the cold, with frozen hands, asking residents to vote for your party. A very interesting and delightful experience as you go to hear first hand from residents, regarding their issues, their concerns and what they want done. That gives you the insight into looking at the various angles that you will work on, to support your residents.
What was the turning point in your career?
My career is progressing and not turned yet.
I guess what you mean is at what point in my career did I decide to go into politics. I guess it was at a point when I realised that I had the capacity and the capability to do this. As I mentioned earlier, I work in another local authority as a senior manager, so I knew the demands of the job. Stepping over to the other side of the table was like a natural progression in the line of my vocation, being a mental health advocate.
Tell us about some of the memorable moments in your life and career?
The memorable moments are plenty! One was when I had my first child! Then, when I bought my first car, first house, became a grandmother, promoted to become a senior manager in a local authority, when I registered my organisation, the Nous Organisation in Nigeria and United Kingdom, and of course, lately, when I became a councillor.
Those moments remind me of the faithfulness of God, that He has his hands on my life and that He created me for a purpose. Each of those moments came with battles that God helped me to overcome.
What are some of the other things that occupy your time?
I love plants, walking and also going to the gym. I take my physical health very seriously and have ensured that I maintain a good BMI. I love to dance to good music and listen to music too.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
Jesus is the greatest influencer in my life. His principles, his management style, the level of his emotional intelligence, his people managing skills, his love for humanity and of course his humility. Through him I learnt that you can be humble no matter your position in life.
Other influencers are Chimamanda Adichie, a woman with such poise and prose of a language she mastered that even the native speakers refer to her. Her attitude and spirit. Her confidence and intellectuality are very admirable.
What lessons have you learnt about life?
Life is transient. What appears to be an impossible situation today, can become possible tomorrow if you believe and you work towards changing the narrative. There is nothing impossible with God! I have learnt that stories change, people change and the only constant thing in life is change. You must prepare for change and be amiable and flexible to embrace the change when it happens!
I have learnt that hard work pays, it is about working hard and smart! Not just hard work but hard work and smartness. Where you have only smartness you find out that people will be looking out for short cuts and they may not be producing their best.
What advice would you give younger ladies who admire your personality and want to be like you?
Do not allow any one to cower you. Be a voice, speak even when your leg is shaking. Be respectful! Get a mentor and compartmentalise your relationships. Gather all the intellectual skills you need to allow you that seat at the table.