Splendour Jan-Mar 2018 Final Uncropped LS 1

Pastor Tosin Popoola
as published in The Sun Newspaper on the 1st October 2016
T
osin Popoola is a Nigerian lawyer based in the Republic
of Ireland. Her childhood years in Mushin Olosa, a densely
populated area in Lagos inspired her to go into charity and
humanitarian services. According to her, anytime she
reminisced about her past, all that she saw were the
mercies and God’s grace to become what she is today.
Recently, her NGO, Women of Essence doled out awards
to some Nigerians who had touched lives without making
noise about it. One could also observe Popoola’s passion
for one of the awardees, DRASA, a foundation set up in
memory of late Dr Stella Adadevoh, the medic who
sacrificed her life in order to halt the spread of Ebola in
Lagos State two years ago. The award presentation was
also part of the activities commemorating the birth of
Women of Essence in Nigeria. She spoke with Effects.
Excerpts.
"As Mushin girl, I had
situations that could
have made me
wayward"
S P L E N D O U RSPECIAL
Of what essence is your NGO, Women of Essence?
We bear a burden for women as mothers and sisters.We
started with three members in my Estate in the Republic of
Ireland and to the glory of God, we have spread to other
countries. Basically, we encourage and educate one
another as women. We are there for one another, We
carry out advocacy for all the women. In the Republic of
Ireland, there are many immigrant women having
immigration issues, and have no way to start.We stand up
for such women, even spiritually. The bottom-line is that
we intercede for women, children, our nation and
communities.We’re just starting the Nigerian leg of our
activities and this gathering happens to be the maiden
edition.
Given the fact that women in Nigeria hardly
encounter immigration problems, so what’s the focus
of your NGO in Nigeria?
Yes, there are no immigration problems with Nigerians but
there are other problems like the need for advocacy for
women to become who they want to be; building them to
have confidence and self-esteem. We inspire, we
encourage other women to come out and be who they
desire to be.
Can you tell us about the awards?
The award is to inspire, encourage those people that are impacting
their communities in their little ways. It’s not everybody that will
become a Barack Obama but there are individuals doing marvelous
works in the communities and nobody hears about them. So, we go
to the grassroots to identify and pick these people. Our vision is to
continue to celebrate , appreciate, inspire and encourage people and
organizations that have positively impacted communities and
enhanced lives selflessly to do more.
The Essence Award will also be a fundraising event for worthy societal
causes and charity organizations. Although it’s a woman organization,
the award is also for men doing much in their zones.
Are you still into law practice?
I would say Yes and No. I channel my practice into the humanitarian
aspect of my profession.
What was growing up like?
I was born in Nigeria. There was a story that inspired and prompted
me to start this NGO. It wasn’t easy for me growing up. I struggled to
be who I am by the grace of God. Somebody saw me, helped me and
that’s what we are trying to do also; that is, to help others move
forward in life.
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