Fab mum, Aisha Oyebode, is the first child of the first child of late Nigerian Head of State, Gen.Murtala Mohammed (retd.). An accomplished lawyer, philanthropist and retail mogul, she is responsible for introducing Pandora Jewellery into Nigeria.
A woman on top, she is the Group CEO of Asset Management Group Limited. Oyebode, currently sits on the board of some organisations including Lekoil (an Africa focused oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the London Stock exchange), House of Odin-owners of BoConcept Nigeria Ltd, Adunmadan Ltd, (A luxury retail store) Cambridge Growth Partners, and Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Gardens where she serves as a trustee and Member of Governing Council.
In a recent interview, she shared some thoughts on marriage, family life and career.
On her marriage, Oyebode who is a multi-linguist and wife of an accomplished solicitor, Gbenga Oyebode, said, “I think I’m lucky to have a wonderful husband and we have grown together. It’s been amazing and our marriage keeps getting better. Everyday is a new discovery. You don’t want to sit at our dinner table when we are discussing a topical issue especially when we have different views.”
Speaking on her role as a doting mother-of-three, she said
“I tell people that my family is the most important job I have and every other thing is secondary. When my children were growing up, there were times when my businesses had to wait. Now that they are older and independent, it is easier for me to pursue my career. I was also willing to defer my career for them.”
On her fitness regime she said,
“I like to eat but I am in the gym at least thrice a week and I also have a patient personal trainer. As a sweet tooth, when I had my last child, I gained weight, which I had to shed afterwards.”
On her future career goals, Oyebode who is a lover of Ankara fabric sewn into exquisite styles, said,
“I will go into politics and I will contest for a seat in the Senate because that is where good laws are made. If we have good laws, every other thing will fall into place. Politics is something I have thought about. It is very easy for us to sit on the sidelines and complain but what exactly are we doing about it?”
In hindsight, she spoke about her younger self
“I think I took life too seriously as a young girl. Maybe I could have been a little less serious. Since I have always been very driven, I think it is a wise idea to be a lot flexible and just have fun,” she concludes.
