Chief Mrs TINUADE FEYISETAN talks about her new title

• As Yeye Bewaji Of Ibejuland

• Says: I Plan To Make A Lot Of Difference

Chief Mrs. Tinuade Feyisetan is a lady of man parts. She is a London-based Entrepreneur who has just been made the new Yeye Bewaji of Ijebuland by His Royal Majesty, Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Razaki Oguntolu, the paramount ruler of Ibeju land and the Onibeju of Ibeju. She is a very successful and hardworking businesswoman who is into Real Estate and Travel Business. She lives in London, where she is a professional UK-licensed Advanced practitioner.

She is happily married to Emmanuel Korede Feyisetan who is also a successful businessman. They run their real estate company together. Below are excerpts of her Special Interview with City People Publisher Seye Kehinde.

Can you tell us about your family background, your parents, and your childhood?

I am from Agbowa, Ikosi, Epe Local Government of Lagos State. Born into the royal family of Elejeporo. My father was a renowned businessman, politician and Chairman of his party Lagos State. He was also the Balogun of Agbowa Ikosi. I come from a nuclear family, and I am number 13 of 20 in the children. Both my dad and mum are now late.

Are there any significant stories or traditions passed down in your family that influenced you?

I’m from a strong and charismatic family with a strong leadership pedigree within Lagos and Environ, apart from my dad, who has a strong leadership role and a positive influence in the community, my uncle was also a commissioner, my elder brother was also a barrister and commissioner in Lagos State, my aunt is also a judge in Lagos State. These were my role models and have helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Did you have any early experiences that foreshadowed your path to becoming a chief?

Growing up in a household with several prominent people helped to shape me and instilled the leadership mindset in me.

Tell us about your career path and any significant accomplishments in your professional life.

I qualified as an adult general nurse in 2003, from London South Bank University (LSBU) and started my career in the primary care setting as a rotational nurse. Worked in all aspects of community nursing i.e. District nursing, health visiting, practice nursing and school nursing on a six-month basis for 2yrs. I had a B.Sc qualification in district nursing in 2005; I worked as a district nurse for 2yrs and became the team leader managing a caseload of 200 patients and 12 members’ community nursing staff.

In 2008 I joined the community matron team, case-managing patients with long-term conditions, and providing clinical leadership to district nursing staff and a multi-disciplinary team within the Virtual ward setting. I also completed the physical assessment and medical prescribing course while working as a matron. After working as a community matron for 6yrs and practising at advance nursing level, I felt I needed to continue to advance my knowledge and clinical skills to keep abreast with continuous changes/research in patient care and also to meet the challenges that come with working as an autonomous practitioner.  Thereafter, I enrolled in London South Bank University for MSC Advanced Nurse Practitioner. In consolidating my learning from the Advance Nurse Practitioner course, I moved into the WIC, UCC, OOH, to work as an advanced nurse practitioner, providing unscheduled care to patients within these settings. By assessing, diagnosing, treating and discharging of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed injury/illness, or acute exacerbation of existing conditions.

Qualification Grade Achieved

• Diploma Of Higher Education Nursing Studies • B.Sc Hons Community Health Care (DISTRICT NURSING) • Health Assessment For Advance Practice- B.Sc Hons • Medical Prescribing – Bsc Hons • PgDip Enhance Clinical Practice (Advance nurse practitioner)

How have you been involved in your community throughout your life?

I have mainly been involved with the community through my career as a Nurse within the community setting.

Chieftaincy and Leadership

Meaning of the Title:

What does this chieftaincy title mean to you personally?

This title confers an honorary leader of women title on me, and I appreciate this. It means The Beautiful or Mum of the People or one that wakes up with beauty. It is a challenge for me to promote this community and highlights all the beautiful things here. But practically, I believe it is an opportunity to engage and get involved more with health and developmental activities locally.

What are the responsibilities and expectations associated with this title?

As stated above and also working with the King, The Onibeju of Ibeju and other chiefs and community leaders to promote development, health and well-being in the community

What is your vision for the future of your community?

I envisage a vibrant communal engagement with women empowerment and community development initiatives, we have already conceived of a foundation as part of this engagement, this also involves representing the kingdom abroad, and promoting our culture and heritage abroad, especially in the United Kingdom.

What are the most pressing issues facing your people, and how do you plan to address them?

This community is like any other in Nigeria, experiencing various effects of high prices and high inflation. This community also happens to be in an axis with rapid development, so the dynamics are changing rapidly, prices are far higher than average of other places, so more work needs to be done to ensure that all the big industries are contributing to the socio-economic development of the community. All hands must be on deck. But the Onibeju is not relenting in his engagement with governmental agencies and private enterprises to ensure that people benefit from the rising economy of the community, and I will lend myself to support him, bringing my own experience on the table.

How do you hope to be remembered as a Chief?

By leaving my mark of influence in the community, affecting the lives of the people and ensuring that Ibeju rises to truly showcase its budding influence as the new Lagos.

What advice would you give to young people who aspire to leadership positions?

To be tenacious, never to give up or let go of their dreams, to believe in themselves and never to give up. The battle is mostly won in the mind. If they can believe it, they can achieve it.

What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of your life?

To keep being an inspiration to others, spending more time with family and finding time to relax and enjoy all that God has done for me and my family.

What message of hope or inspiration would you like to leave us with?

Positive mindset. Faith, Hope, Focus and hard work will always yield great results.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your family, the Ibeju Community?

Development, health and well-being. Those are what makes life worth, not just living, but thriving while living it. We are also creating a real estate business in the community which is another avenue to help with the community. I also look forward to establishing affordable community healthcare practice within this domain.