EXCLUSIVE: HOW GOD GAVE ME MY RETIREMENT GIFT AFTER 8 MISCARRIAGE Says Chief Mrs OluwaKemi Adewumi

EXCLUSIVE: HOW GOD GAVE ME MY RETIREMENT GIFT AFTER 8 MISCARRIAGE

... CEO of Chicken Farms, Deaconess Kemi Adewumi speaks on life at 50.

+Speaks On her Marriage And Career

Chief Mrs. (Deaconess) Oluwakemi Adewumi (nee Awoniyi), the founder/CEO of Chikem Farm, Ikere Ekiti, is the pretty wife of Otunba of Ikere Kingdom, Otunba Sola Adewumi of Equitorial Energy Company Limited and Inspiration hotel and suites, in the ancient town of Ikere Ekiti. She was born 5 decades ago, precisely on the 12th of February. 

A graduate of Accounting from the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. Most of her work life has been in the shipping and oil/gas sector. Deaconess Oluwakemi Adewumi started with Al-Dawood shipping Line Ltd before moving to Obat Oil & Gas where she worked for years before meeting her husband, Otunba Sola Adewumi. She later left Obat oil & gas to start Equitorial Energy with her husband.

Her humanitarian services and kind gesture earned her an Award of Excellence from the Rotary Club of Akure, Ondo State in 2022, and an Award of Recognition by the Women's Missionary Union of Ekiti State Baptist Conference in 2017 amongst others. She was bestowed with the chieftaincy title of Otun Eyesorun of Ikere Ekiti by His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti.

Chief Mrs. Oluwakemi Adewumi, a paragon of beauty, was honoured in her hometown as Erelu of Ayede Ekiti while her husband was honoured with Bashorun of Ayede Ekiti by the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Afeleye Orisagbemi.

She is indeed a lover of Christ who has devoted her time to serving the Lord. She was ordained in 2017 as Deaconess of the Abundant Life Gospel Church, Lagos. She also served as President of the Women's Fellowship of Abundant Life Gospel Church, Lagos for 4 years. Her passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ is worthy of emulation.

Deaconess Oluwakemi Adewumi spoke to Princess Adeola Shittu, the publisher of Event Diary Lifestyle, during which she spoke about her life at 50. The interview is inspiring!

Congratulations on your 50th Birthday Thanksgiving. Tell us briefly who Chief Mrs Oluwakemi Adewumi is.

Thank you. I am Oluwakemi Bolanle Adewumi (nee Awoniyi). I was born on 12th February to the family of Chief David Akintola Awoniyi and Deaconess Dupe Awoniyi of Ayede Ekiti, both of blessed memory. I am married to Sola Adewumi, a native of Ikere Ekiti. I am a businesswoman who doubles as a farmer.  I am the CEO of Chikem Farm, one of the biggest poultry farms in Ekiti State, and I co-run other business ventures with my husband. I am a practising Christian and a member of Abundant Life Gospel Church, Lagos. I was privileged to serve as President of the Women's Fellowship of Abundant Life Gospel Church, Lagos for 4 years. I was ordained Deaconess in 2017. By the grace of God, I am the Otun Eyesorun of Ikere Ekiti and the Erelu of Ayede Ekiti, two chieftaincy titles bestowed upon me by my royal father, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado and the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Afeleye Orisagbemi respectively.

I attended Adeyemi College of Education primary school (staff school), and I later moved to St. Louis Secondary School both in Ondo town, Ondo State. I was later admitted into the Federal  Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State where I bagged an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Accounting and I later proceeded to the then Ondo State Polytechnic (now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic) Owo, for a Higher National Diploma (HND) still in Accounting.

Can you let us into your professional career?

After my National Youth Service, I started working with Al-Dawood Shipping Line Ltd, Apapa, Lagos. I had a good work relationship with my boss, I was there for years before I moved to Obat oil & gas and I worked directly with the now Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Ondo State, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Obateru Akinruntan. We were the ones in charge of the Lagos office at Ibafo where we do sell small trucks and as of then, I used to climb those big tanks where fuel is stored. I also enjoyed a good work relationship with him throughout my years with Obat Petroleum. I left Obat oil and gas when I got married and I joined my husband in his oil and gas business. We started Equitorial Energy Company Ltd with two staff members. He was the Chairman and I was the Managing Director (MD) but today the rest is history. When I had my children, I had to stay back home to take care of them. Going forward, we added the hospitality business to the chain of enterprises, and this gave birth to Inspiration Hotel and Suites, Ikere Ekiti, and before we know it, we added Chikem Farms, Ikere Ekiti. This is our little way of contributing to the development and the economy of Ekiti State. I appreciate God for how he has helped us so far.

Put us through your growing-up days.

Growing up was fun for me and my siblings. We were given the best any child could have. And above all, we were brought up in a Christian way and they taught us to be truthful and hardworking. We were also made to know that our best should come out in anything we engage in, whether we are under supervision or not. I am very grateful to God for their lives and their impact on us, which myself and my siblings are enjoying today. All thanks to God and our wonderful parents.

On a day like this, I miss my parents, especially my father, because I am sure he would have been around weeks before D-day; though my Mum is a reserved person, notwithstanding, she would have made herself available but in all, I give glory to God that while they were alive, we gave them the best and their memories are still fresh with us and I pray they continue to rest in peace (Amen). I am the second child of a family of 8, and to the glory of God, all my siblings are doing fine. I appreciate God for the life of my elder sister, Mrs Foluke Ogunyakin, and my other siblings; Segun Davis, Ayo Akinbola, Toyin Awosan and Tolulope Awoniyi.

Now to your Poultry business, how did you start Chikem Farms?

The poultry business was not part of my plans but I was introduced to it through a friend, initially, I felt reluctant about going into poultry. But on this fateful day, we went for an occasion in Ogbomoso, Oyo State and the woman gave me one dozen pullet that I should start raising them, that before long, I will realize that the business is worth it. She encouraged me and I started with 1,500 pullets but today, I have the capacity for over 20,000 birds to the glory of God.

As we all know, there is no business without its challenges, could you share your experiences and challenges in the poultry business with us?

Maybe if she had told me about the challenges I will encounter in the business, I might not have gone into it but she said the business was worth it and truly it is. When I started, it was interesting and the urge to expand was there due to the number of eggs that were laid per day, the beautiful atmosphere and all. Before we know it, I started noticing that some of the staff were stealing from the farm, this made me be at alert and I was able to curb it. On the same day, I laid off the 3 staff and employed another set of people. But with my experience in the business, it is very difficult to nip the stealing in the bud 100 per cent because they will always have a way around it. Through my years in the business, I have employed various workers, the good and the bad and I try to utilise and manage their excesses for the sustainability of the business. This business is meant for a serious-minded person who will sacrifice a long time to see the business grow or expand. One of the challenges in this business is that our people are not ready to work rather they want to get paid for service they never rendered. For instance, I employed a person and on his first day at work, he stole from the company. I felt he applied for the job to steal and not to work. All well and good, the challenges we have faced notwithstanding, God has been faithful to us and we have always been on top of every situation. Also, the government is not helping issues. Getting the raw materials (the feeds) has been very difficult and we all know that in Nigeria today, once the price of anything goes up, it takes the grace of God to return to the normal price. But in all, we give glory to God that the challenges have not been able to stop us. This is also applicable to the hotel business but we thank God for His grace that has been sustaining us and moving us forward.

You are celebrating your Golden Age, how do you feel at 50?

I feel so blessed and privileged by God to attain the Golden age. I am more than happy and sincerely short of words on how to express my appreciation to God for His faithfulness over my life despite my unfaithfulness. 

At times, when I wake up in the morning, all I do is to just fall into worship mode, tears of joy will roll down my eyes because when I look back, I ask myself how did I get to 50, recently someone was asking me, are you sure you are 50 years? It is just the grace of God. Flashing back, I realise that I have enjoyed the grace and mercy of God beyond my imagination. I remember my late parents sharing a story of my naming ceremony with me, how they saw me bleeding a few hours after I was christened, my baby court was full of blood and as they were about to carry me, they saw this wrapped Islamic thing they called “Tira” under me. What will an eight-day-old child be doing with such or could have done to deserve such a wicked attack? I was preserved only by His grace and up till today, I remain a proud product of the Grace and mercy of God. Because at that period of my infancy, with such an attack, it is possible I bleed to death but due to divine intervention I survived it.

Growing up, his mercy still sustains me and each time I remember that story, I give praise to God. As the year goes by, from primary school days to secondary and tertiary school, it has been God. I can't thank Him enough because it's only thanks and praise we can use to appreciate Him. And that is why my birthday thanksgiving is the most important aspect of the celebration because without God I won't be where I am today.

What has life taught you at 50?

Thank you!

Hmmm, At 50 I’ve been through different life situations and that has taught me a lot about life. The first philosophy in life is that, if you want to navigate the affairs of life successfully, you must always hold on to God. No one believes or connects with his/her creator that would be put to shame. Some situations have threatened me in the past, so much that humanly speaking, I couldn't have survived them, but with God, I experience my breakthroughs and victory effortlessly. Holding on to God and serving Him wholeheartedly without looking back has been my source of strength. You see, when you are doing something and people call it eye service don't be distracted, face what you are doing and serve Him diligently and commit your life to His care, you will see that even when you don't know, He will be fighting on your behalf and by the time the victories are pronounced, people will be wondering how possible it is for you to survive without scars or bruises.

Let me share this story to inspire others who are passing through challenges of life, the reasons they need to firmly hold on to God, Between my children, Ayomide and Tamilore, I had 8 miscarriages and at a point, I was placed on medication for Blood Pressure (BP) but I held on to my faith that I will be fruitful and nothing will stop me from having another child, it was not as if I was not getting pregnant, I was at several times, but I usually lose them through miscarriage. At a stage, I held to my prophetic belief and I told myself, I was going to have a child and won't die with the pregnancy nor will I lose the baby, I was going to carry my baby in my hand. At this point, I was introduced to a Doctor, Dr. Olusegun Akeredolu of Royal Oak Hospital, Lagos. On my first visit to him, he asked when was my last menstrual period, I said I don't know but I used to note it in my diary, so I brought my diary out and I discovered I was two weeks gone and the Doctor asked me to do a pregnancy test and I did and it became positive but he saw that I was not excited with the news and he said "Kemi don't worry, the Lord will give us this" and by faith, I held on to his word and I said Amen. As usual, at 3 months I started bleeding and I called him. He said, 'don't worry, come to the clinic'. I went, and he stopped some of my medication and gave me an injection and placed me on bed rest. Again, he said the Lord will give us this and I said Amen again. The Doctor is not a Pastor but he is a man of faith and that alone made me believe that God can work through anybody, all we need is just to trust Him and He will never fail. Several threatening events happened during that pregnancy, but our faith was intact and the result is my precious daughter, “Oluwatamilore” my retirement gift from God (Laugh). Today, being a proud mother, I thank God for the lives of my children. God has been faithful to me and my family. Another thing my 50 years have taught me is patience and this brought about the issue of Oluwatamilore's birth because if I was not patient many things would have gone wrong, so much advice, I wouldn't have been able to say to God be the glory but with patience, I have been able to boldly say glory be to God and sing His praises always. Life has taught me to be faithful, and patient and trust God and God alone in every situation.

If allowed to change one or two things at 50, what will those be?

Hmmm, maybe I would have known and committed my life to God earlier than I did. Maybe, from my Primary school and I would have enjoyed His grace more than I am enjoying now.

Secondly, I would have gotten married earlier, so maybe by now, I will look younger, because I would have faced the stress of childbearing earlier and have enough time and energy to keep my fitness and 'my look' (laughs). Above all, I will love to serve God better.

How did you meet your husband Otunba Sola Adewumi?

If I am to be very precise, I will refer to my meeting with him as a divine arrangement. You know when God himself is the one that allowed a meeting to occur, you have no decision on that arrangement, rather you will submit to the will of the all-knowing God. 

We met at a function and through an interaction that he was having with someone, he was told that one of his sisters from the same town is around; he doubted the person when he was told that my surname is “Awoniyi”. His reason for doubting it was that he was too certain that there was no how I will come from Ikere and he wouldn't have heard of that surname or perhaps have an idea of the family. 

To clear his doubt, he walked up to me and in the course of our interaction, he got to know that it was my parent that was residing in Ikere. My father was a teacher and at that time his assignment post was in Ikere.

After that conversation, we became mutual friends and he began to treat me with much care and affection like his kid sister. Though I know he has an emotional feeling for me, it appeared difficult for him because he was already playing the role of a brother and already I am seeing myself being his younger sister. 

Months after months, it became so clear that my brother could not hide his feelings any longer, so he opened up to me and express his love. 

Hmmm, the situation I found myself in was like a crossroads, but just like I said earlier if God is the one that planned a meeting, his decision and not my decision will stand.

I call him Olusola because he is everything to my world. Though we have our challenges, his love and care for me and our children have been keeping us stronger together. 

In all, I am grateful to God that he is my husband and the father of my children and above all, our love keeps waxing stronger every day.

How do you cope with marital challenges?

Every marriage has its up and down but the grace to manage it is what we seek and God's intervention comes into play at every point. One thing that helped us during our challenging period was communication. For anything I feel or am not certain about, I call his attention and ask questions, I ask questions very well because I always want us to be on the same page and that has helped my marriage. I know when to ask and when not to. I ask in a good atmosphere and if there are things to sort out, we discuss them and put them behind us. Communication has been a great instrument of help to me.

What is the secret behind your over 20 years of marriage?

I will say the grace of God and secondly, communication because without communication so many things will go wrong and the true love we both share would have disappeared. If communication and love are missing such a marriage will not stand the test of time. I love my husband so much and I can’t but express that at all times. And for him, he loves and sees me as himself, what else do I want?

You are 50 but you look much younger, what is the secret?

I will attribute that to God and my husband and above all, I will say I give myself peace of mind and I hand over everything to God. You see, when you hand over to God, He will direct one's path and before anything happens, the holy spirit will reveal it and put one through.

How fashionable is Otun Eyesorun of Ikere Kingdom?

I believe this question will be better answered by those that are associated with me, but in my personal view and assessment of myself, I will say I am a fashionista. There is this adage: "dress the way you want to be addressed". 

I am always particular about the way I dress and my children can testify to that. I don't appreciate people not dressing well, especially when they can do so. I give attention to details when it comes to what I wear. I feel good dressing well and it is one thing that makes me happy and fulfilled. At times, I pack my clothes and go to the studio for photo sessions because it makes me happy. As a fashionable person, when you are comfortable with what you wear, you have this inner joy that brings smiles to your face. On my phone, I have over 17,000 personal pictures. It's a passion that I love to nurture. My father is a fashionable man but my Mum is the quiet type and she wants everything to be moderate but my father loves fashion, maybe I took that from him. I enjoy doing it and appreciate it when I see somebody dress very well. I am a fashionable person, I don't go by what is trending or in vogue, all I am about is decency, moderation and class which gives details to what I wear.

Which fashion item(s)  do you love most?

I love every fashion item. Anything that will set me up and makes me look good, I don't joke with them, from my hair to my toes I don't joke with it. And those that come to beautify me know, I don't lower my standard and I don't joke with my look and I don't negotiate my appearance. I’m a very detailed person and people around me can testify to that. I love details, maybe because I was brought up by a teacher and God gave me other parents, my in-laws, they are also teachers, and this makes me understand how to do things properly. So when I give anyone an assignment the result has to be very detailed. My husband knows once I believe in something, I want it done, perfectly.

At 50, what are you giving back to society?

Long before now, I see giving to the needy as a way of life and a way to show appreciation to God for the grace I enjoy. Doing things that affect humanity positively gives me joy. Maybe because of my upbringing, my late parents were givers and my late father-in-law was also a giver and I’m married to a man who believes so much in lifting other people. So we have plans.

How do you unwind?

I love travelling and I love to give myself a special treat by going to Spa but above all, I love taking pictures because it makes me feel happy. I am more relaxed when I have my family around me.