Barrister Olutola Olorunwo Sam Obaleye is one of the daughters of the founder of Olorunwo Cathedral Church, located at Ifako area of Gbagada, Prophet Omolaja Olorunwo. She is passionate about Giving and she does every day of her life. It is something she always says she got from her father.
On the 1st of April 2018, this amiable woman, who is the CEO of Tower Foundation, fed multitudes, made up of widows, less privileged, single mothers, orphans and homeless people, giving them Rice, Garri, Chicken and many more on Easter day. Prophet Olorunwo and his wife were at the party to support their daughter, as the prophet himself was seen giving out Ankara to all the women present.
City People’s Assistant Editor, SUNDAY ADIGUN and KELVIN (Photographer) were there and spoke with the Convener on why she chose to feed people on Easter day.
You are feeding a multitude of people, even with the present situation of the country, how does that make you feel?
I feel fulfilled, joyful, nothing can be compared to the joy I have in seeing people happy. Putting smiles on people’s faces is the best reward one can ever get, and that is all I want.
Why did you choose today?
Today is Easter, and I know with the present situation of the country some people might not have the privilege of getting chicken, rice e.t.c.
So I said, “why don’t I just give these out to the needy”, at least they will have a feeling of this festive period.
What really inspires your act of giving, and why are you so bothered about the plight of women?
I think its just my selfish love that I have for the women and it gives me joy, since I’m able to put smile on people’s faces. It gives me joy.
What is international women’s day all about?
International women’s day is a way of making women see what they can achieve on their own, it’s not all about feminine right, it’s not all about fighting for women’s right, I see it as a way of telling women that you can do it irrespective of whether you are married or not, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, it’s all about you following your dreams, and doing what you believe in and getting the best out of it.
You are involved in so many projects, how do you finance these projects?
It has not been easy getting financial support, like this one now was single handedly financed by me, I did not get any support from anybody, some people do ask me or saying it behind my back that “Are you the only person, or must you always surround yourself with people that have problems? Must you always solve people’s problems? Though you can not solve people’s problems but atleast people around me must be okay and let me tell you there is always a blessing in giving. I have had several cases that I would clear my account just to help somebody in need.
When the thought of this project came up , I wasn’t financially strong, but all of a sudden a business just came in and before I knew it I got some profit, and I said now, I can actually do this on my own. So God has been sustaining me and I’m grateful for that.
What were the roles of your father in this so far?
I actually got everything from my parents, growing up I saw my dad helping church members, helping to pay their children’s school fees and so on. And naturally I found myself doing same. I want to see people happy, I want to see people stabilize and all that, so being a daughter of a clergyman has actually helped me a lot. Everything is about you knowing God, and there is no way you can say you know God, you are serving God and you won’t have feelings for the less privileged, it’s not possible. It’s impossible for you to love and not give, its impossible for you to say you love God and you will not give, it’s impossible, so if you call yourself a Christian, you have more and you can’t give, then it’s a shame.
What has being a philanthropist brought to you?
It gives me joy, giving out to people is a selfish act but people don’t know, because when you give, you get more in return. I have never lacked anything in life, and its’ not by my doing neither by my power, but by the grace of God, God has been rewarding me.
You have all the attributes of a politician being a philanthropist and a daughter of a powerful and prominent man of God, are you thinking of going into politics?
I don’t think so, I have been doing this for over 12 years, and it has never crossed my mind, but if I see someone that I know can do it, I can support that person, but for me it’s a capital No.
But what if people want you to represent them based on the love you’ve shown to them, what will happen?
Let me leave that to God, if God says I will serve my people in that capacity, no problem, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s not even in my dream.
What is your message for the women out there?
It is very simple, I want to tell every woman to always believe in themselves. You can achieve whatever you want to achieve in life, they should not allow anybody to shut them up or shut them down. When you believe in yourself the sky will be your beginning. Then believe in God, I am a lover of God, I’m not a fanatic. If you put God first and you are serving him diligently and faithfully, you will definitely make it.
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