Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire is a Nigerian politician and astute Administrator who has carved a niche for herself. She stands tall among her contemporaries and would boldly profess that she has worked hard to get to where she is today. In a clime that has become a country for men, she is one of the few feminine voices that genuinely adds to policy-making at the state and national levels.
Despite being born into a Royal family, where she may have had every luxury at her disposal, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire paid her dues in the Nigerian world of politics. She worked hard to achieve what she has today as a mother, politician and an Appointee of the Federal Government.
Born, September 29, 1959, into the royal families of Akeja Oniyanru and Olugbede of Lagos state, Orelope-Adefulire served as deputy-governor of Lagos state from 2011-2015.
A position that never got into her head. Princess Adejoke is down to earth, a sterling quality that makes her comfortable with talking to everyone across all classes in life. Unlike some of her peers, she has made beneficial deals with the powerful and deep-pocketed influence she has for the masses.
First among equals, Princess Adefulire was the first female Legislator in Lagos (Lagos State House of Assembly elected in 1991 and assumed office on the 6th of January 1992).
Adefulire also served as an Electoral Commissioner, when she jointly co-ordinated the referendum that created additional 37 Local Government Development Councils in Lagos. In 2003, she was appointed a Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Her educational background with a diploma in Social Works and Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos prepared her for politics. It is no surprise to find out that she maintains her relevance even as political tides have swept many of her peers away in Nigeria.
A recipient of many awards, Adejoke, in 2007 was awarded the International Public Servant of the Year award by the Scottish Widows, a UK-based NGO. While in 2009, she bagged the Lagos State Man of the Year award
The former Lagos state deputy governor is also a recipient of the Guinness World Records for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location, which she achieved while reading with 4,222 school children in 2011.
No doubt, she is an Amazon who has boldly straddled the troubled waters of Nigerian politics. Many Nigerians appreciate her unending sacrifice towards the attainment and continuance of sustainable development.
No wonder President Muhammed Buhari betrothed her to the Sustainable Development Goals Portfolio in his administration. This perhaps is because she has proven her worth as an astute Social Worker and an Administration with a Midas touch.
In every post she has assumed in close to three decades of public service, she has consistently excelled, leaving doubters to help themselves to huge quantities of humble pies. She was appointed commissioner for women affairs and poverty alleviation in Lagos state by former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where she fought so hard for the rights of women and children.
Many may not know that her stunts in Lagos Politics, dates back to the Third Republic when she was elected member of the Lagos state House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Constituency 1, between 1992 and 1993.
Then, in 1999, she was appointed Electoral Commissioner in Lagos state; a position she held until 2003. Orelope-Adefulire is popularly called ‘Iya Alanu’ (cheerful giver) by her supporters. This is so because, through her magnanimity, she has touched many lives within and outside the political circuit she belongs to.
Adejoke stylishly combines her rare quality of humility with a sense of undivided focus. Princess Adejoke crafted a solid body of work, proving that her decision to swim in the murky waters of politics is only motivated by her desire to serve humanity. When asked, Princess Adejoke said she saw politics as a means to the end of contributing her quota to nation-building.
Despite her age, Princess Adejoke remains as agile; touching every life that crosses her path. She has been a strong advocate for the execution of the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. Perhaps this was what prompted President Buhari to re-appoint her as his Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are proud of your feat ma.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the Editorial Board of TheScript Newspaper
