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| Hon. Omorede Osifo- Marshal |
By Fred Iwenjora
Her
name continues to ring when talk is about women of substance in Edo
state. As a female politician of note, delectable Omorede Osifo
–Marshal the former banker has served as Commissioner in the state under two
different Governors and hopes to continue to serve in any capacity.
She speaks on many
issues including womanhood and politics etc
Let's begin from the very begining; could you take the reader on your profile?
Omorede Osifo-Marshal attended St Maris Goretti school Benin City and later studied Economics and Statistics at University of Benin. She later did an M.SC course in Banking and Finance from same university. Mathematics runs in the family as my father was renowned in that subject just like my children. I started working in the bank like I always wished starting with Allied Bank. I later moved to Crown Merchant where I was transferred to set up a Benin branch and became number two in the management in Benin . I later relocated to the United states where I worked with a big mortgage banking institution for some years before I noticed Hillary Clinton who inspired me to desire change in the system. She was vocal and audacious. I returned to Nigeria to set up Advancement for women in Democracy, a forum to galvanise women to stand and be counted. We set up all over Nigeria starting from Abuja till the ward level. Our message was that the man is still the head of the home but must need women as supporters. It was not long before men started bringing their wives to come and learn the best ways to contribute to home building. I later contested for the House of Reps seat but was later advised to cool off even after I had won the primaries. Big men of our party advised that I step down for another candidate who had grown grossly unpopular amongst the electorate. I did but he also lost the election. Voters said if not me no one else no matter what I told them. Then came my appointment as Commissioner for two administrations. I later went to Harvard to study Innovations in Governance where I met the Crown Prince and now King of Buthan as Classmate. I hope to still return to Harvard.You have played various
roles as mother, politician, banker….which of these have you played well?
I believe that of all
the roles I have played, I have played the role of wife and mother better than
all the other roles. Every other roles have been secondary. If I want to rate
myself as to how best I have played the role of wife and mother, I will rate
myself 90%. I do not let my other roles and busy schedule interfere with my
entire family life which is first for me. God forbid if anything happens to any
one now, it is family first so in my very busy roles and schedule as politician
and organizer of people, I try my best to make sure that everything is running
very well at home. It is all about arranging and prioritizing. If one can
prioritize tasks very well, schedules could be juggled. One can go to work, do
politics and combine very well. But before going to work to do all these, you
make sure your kids are also doing what they are supposed to do. Find time to
check out their school schedules, spend time with them to know what they like.
I first take care of my husband’s needs because he is the number one. If my
home front is not okay, I do not know what I should be doing in public.
Since your tenures as
Commissioners for two Governors of Edo state, few know what you are doing now?
Well.. Omorede is still
actively involved in organizing for politics but not handling any political
portfolio for now. I am one of the women leaders of APC in Oredo LGA, Edo
state. Of course you recall that I was Commissioner for Arts Culture and
Tourism and SA on Intergovernmental Affairs during the tenure of Governor Chief
Lucky Igbinedion. Then with Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, I was
Commissioner for Youths and sports. I am lucky to be the only woman in Edo
state to have held such in two different governments in Edo state. I was also
shortlisted to work with Governor Obaseki but still waiting. I left a good job
in the United states to return because I wanted to serve my people so will dive
at any opportunity to serve if it comes my way both at state and national level.
When I resigned my good job with a mortgage institution to return to Nigeria,
people felt I was mad. In a nutshell I returned to serve my country and I am
waiting for such opportunities. As for the forthcoming elections coming up in
2019, I am still looking and consulting. In politics one does not have to just
jump into the fray without discussing with your party elders and there is much
permutations and dialogue and only time will tell this.
How can you assess the
role of women in Nigeria politics? Do you think women are doing enough to be
accepted in Nigerian politics?
Nigerian women have done
their best but I think we have not been allowed to do better. The men continue
to hold the women back. Nigerian men are yet to see that we can compliment them
in governance. They feel bad that we should be struggling with them for
positions in governance. They see us as only their wives who should be at home
tending their kitchens and their children. It is a big challenge for career
women. But we have to keep on trying our best to stay strong and focused. We
can’t run away from the arena just because the men say so. If we do, they will
rejoice that they have run us out of the arena. Could you imagine that in Edo
state House of Assembly we only have a woman, Hon Elizabeth? It is not good for
Nigerian women and even for the men too and the country at large. But Nigerian
men will not allow this. Nigerian women are also good for elective positions
not just for appointments. So before everything, the Nigerian woman has to
first look before leaping, check if the men will allow them before trying to
seek elective positions. The men will be screaming she is a woman! she is a
woman!. But does being a woman stop her from doing anything she is supposed to
do? God gave the woman so much power that some have been Deputy Governors,
Senators, members of House of Representative etc. All Nigerian men should do
from now is to give Nigerian women the chance to contribute to the growth of
Nigeria when they come out to seek elective positions.
What fond memories do
you remember of your times as Commissioner for arts culture and tourism and at
youths and sports ministry?
I recall those years
with nostalgia. As commissioner for Arts culture and Tourism, I did so much to
put Edo up there as the home of culture. I had arranged an international
exchange programme between Edo state and Germany. Artistes from Edo and Germany
acted on same stage. It took a lot of preparations as we performed the African
version of William Shakespeare’s Tempest. It was a great exposure for Edo state
artistes who rehearsed with their German counterparts. The stage was lit up
with black and white actors and held the city of Bochum spell bound. The Mayor
of the city was present as part of the audience. The leader of the delegation
was former Military Governor of Mid-western state Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia. We
also organized some investment drive for the state which attracted several
benefits to the state. It led to an invitation to a renewable energy summit
which Edo state was represented.
Again, it was during my
tenure that I hosted all South South Culture commissioners to revive culture.
It was then that Igue Festival got national recognition. I did not end there as
Nollywood got full recognition. The Cultural center in Benin was bubbling with
activities as plays were staged. I also worked hard for the reclamation of the
famous Benin Moat which had been abandoned for years. I figured that the Benin
Moat would be compared as a national monument like the Great Wall of China if
reclaimed so I moved to begin this. I hosted world beauty queens in Benin and
we were all at the Moat with brooms sweeping the messy refuse dump the Moat had
become. I still cherish the Letter of commendation from Late Oba Eradiuwa for
this effort.
I was at the Ministry of
Youths and sports for only ten months but I also made my mark. The main
challenge was the backlog of unpaid salaries for players and staff of the
former Bendel Insurance (Edo United). Moral was at the lowest ebb and the team
was at the lower ranks of the league table. I first cleared the salaries and
the team moved from lower Division two to second on Nigeria premiership table.
We also revived all the other sports and took Edo contingent to all national
sports events anywhere in Nigeria. I feel good to recall all these.
What did you learn from
your two bosses?
They were both humorous
people who made us laugh and had much sense of humor. Chief Igbinedion always
told stories that lightened our meetings. Comrade Oshiomhole also was spontaneously
humorous in his ways.
For Chief Igbinedion, he
was good at delegating and allowed you to take care of the situation while
Comrade was a perfectionist who always wanted to see it done right. It was
great working with those men who are great leaders in their own right. I learnt
so much from them and won’t forget my times with them.
How do you feel to hear
that Edo state has earned names for the trafficking in human beings across the
Atlantic especially women….?
I do not feel good about
this at all. The stigma stings but I say it is not only Edo people that are
involved in human trafficking. However I thank Oba Ewuare for taking action
about this. He has ordered that the menace must stop. There are several things
to engage in here in Nigeria that will provide livelihood for all. I still
wonder why many feel that it is only when they travel to an unknown destination
with enormous risks that things will be well for them while there are many
opportunities in Nigeria. There is no place like home like the saying goes.
There are several untapped areas to explore like fashion designing, farming
also is a money spinner for those who are patient. I am happy about the
activities of Governor Obaseki in this regard for those returnees. He has done
much and still doing for them to be resettled into the society.
You often talk about
Hillary Clinton….
Oh yes… she is my
greatest inspiration so far in life. I feel bad that she did not become US
president. I like her comportment and her carriage. I love the way she handled
the Monica Lewensky scandal. She stood behind her husband all the way. She is
focused. I like such women
and have always wished to be like Hillary. In fact, she inspired me to return
home to Nigeria from the US to organize women. Her activities opened my eyes
about how far women could go if they remain focused in a male dominated world
Do you consider yourself
a woman of style?
I have a simple easy
going style. I am not very crazy about fashion. Most of the things I put on are
said to be nice on me. But I do not go out of my way to follow fashion. I don’t
spend time on the mirror. I could do my make up while going to work in the car.
I am used to that. Yet people think I am fashion conscious but that is not so.
It may be because I wear things that look good on me. My work determines what I
wear. As commissioner for arts, culture and tourism, I wore attires that
represented my office. I wore traditional wears most of the time. As
Commissioner for Youths and sports, I wore what suited that era. But in all I
could be found in flowing African wears and gowns. As a banker I also have many
corporate wears. However I wear what is appropriate for each occasion. I wear
African, corporate and casuals as jeans and tops at home or weekends.
I can’t do without a
watch and earrings. It does not have to be any designers but has to fit. Any
good one is good. I believe that one does not have to spend millions for
fashion because it will fade away and not be in vogue sooner than you know it
as it continuously changes.
