Tinuade Babalola

Tinuade Babalola Adejuyigbe Adele I (born 25 May 1998) of Iboropa Akoko, also known as Akokoland, Ondo State, Nigeria, is the first female traditional ruler/monarch of the Iboropa-Akoko kingdom. Quotes I was made a regent on the February, 23, 2015, shortly after Oba Emmanuel Ayowole Adejuyigbe, my father, passed on. I had to go through some traditional rites of passage before I was pronounced a regent. At the time, I was a young girl who was trying to get a grip on life. I was an undergraduate, who just got admitted into the university. Coming back to school after I ascended the throne changed my school life, as a lot of my course mates distanced themselves from me, but I received more respect from both my course mates and lecturers. I have had several experiences that have broadened my horizon and for a young girl who was trying to find her way then, the position has helped me to understand life and define my perspective about a lot of things. The greatest experience that I have had is in the performance of my administrative roles as a traditional ruler. I have had the privilege of addressing issues and solving problems pertaining to my community, although, I’m still learning everyday and trying to be a better person and a better ruler for my community. My family is a conservative family, and being a princess, I was groomed to be simple and mindful of my actions. This position has become a way of life, so I can’t say that I miss much of the things I never had. But the one thing that I miss is being carefree and acting the way most people of my age would. I never got to do most of the things people of my age would do. The position of a regent is sacrosanct; therefore, the roles she plays in her domain should not be profane, especially in conflict prevention and resolution. Regents are interim leaders expected to uphold the throne until a king is chosen to assume the throne. As a young regent, I face several challenges, but the major challenge is that people often disregard the position. Most people see regents as a figure head, who sometimes have nothing to offer than the amount of wealth we have been able to acquire with the office and the outer beauty which we possess. I am pleading with the government to recognise regents like myself so that the general public can follow suit. We might not be permanent kings, but there are sacrifices we make to assist the government in one way or the other. Firstly, I was only a teenager so I could not say that I had any engagements before assuming the throne aside from studying. I was devastated when my father passed on and I wasn’t expecting him to die soon because he was 57-year-old at the time. I knew the position would fall on us, his female children. So, it was unexpected that I would be chosen. The family thought the position would either fall on my elder sister or my younger one. I never had the thought that it would be me. Women empowerment is what every one of us should be actively involved in. I plan to have a foundation of my own very soon and I’m actively working on that. However, I have worked with several foundations and NGOs to ensure that the lives of our women are made better. I have encouraged and facilitated campaigns to help reduce poverty, domestic violence and sexual assault against women. I have also empowered them in their various lines of work the little way I could. I need help from people to facilitate the women empowerment programme. Not just that, but to also see to the welfare of the children. My social life has been relegated to the background for now. I only have few intimate friends but I try as much as I can to unwind without going against the customs and regulations of my community. Outside community work, I engage in farming, I enjoy hiking, traveling and reading. For me, I believe there is God and also, I believe in helping out others who are in need of help in the little way I can. I believe in being successful in whatever I do, being able to differentiate good from bad and being happy and living life to the fullest. External links Category:Politicians from Nigeria Category:1998 births Category:Living people