Last Wednesday, March 8, 2023, as the world was celebrating the International Women’s Day, a unique lady marked her birthday, though in low-key. 

She is Lady Olive Ngozi Onwualu, the Adadioranma Ndigbo, who has continued to impact positively on the Igbo nation in particular, Nigerians and mankind in general. 

Lady Olive, a humble woman, refused to indicate what her exact age is, but stated that she is in the 50s. However, she received heart-warming messages from her admirers across the globe. Who is this indefatigable lady with passion for rendering services to humanity? 

Lady Olive Ngozi Onwualu is a mental health specialist/practitioner and educator based in the UK. She is also a Servant Leader and Founder of The Oriental Think Tank (TOTT), an organisation she formed for the interest of the people of Eastern Nigeria. 

In a discussion with this writer, she spoke passionately on how she has been working tirelessly to bring joy to humanity through her vocations and this body of Igbo intelligentsia. 

She said: “I am a qualified coach, mentor, business woman, global inspirational and motivational speaker. My expertise also centres on influencing and shaping strategic leadership frameworks that have proven results embedded in probity and integrity. 

“I am a very energetic individual with excellent leadership, inspirational, visionary track record of improving and transforming human capital.”

Lady Olive described The Oriental Think Tank (TOTT), as “A quintessential organisation of a team of patriotic Nigerian intelligentsia, founded primarily to promote equity, fairness, brotherliness and foster unity among the contending nationalities in Nigeria, especially among the people of the area known and called Eastern Nigeria. We also get involved in environmental monitoring.” 

According to her, the organisation’s aims include to galvanise the youths and the vulnerable in the society to reach their potentials. She said that the TOTT has been intervening in child and elder abuse cases, disclosing that the body is a fully registered organisation in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK). 

Lady Olive stated that as a global organisation, The Oriental Think Tank (TOTT) has members in America, Canada, Europe Asia and Africa, mostly Nigeria. It also has a well-defined leadership structure, with some of its leaders based in Nigeria. 

According to her, the TOTT has continued to contribute in solving some of the problems affecting the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria. 

She said: “We have made lots of concerted efforts to look into the issues that have been plaguing South-East in so many ways, such as using our networks and with traditional rulers to disseminate and preach peace and tranquillity in the South East Region. 

“We reach out to youth organisations to try and sensitise them about the fact that South East is our own and we must strive to protect that geographical location with all our might by reducing negative impressions in the area.” 

To make its impact felt in the geo-political zone, she said the group reaches out to the major stakeholders like the South East governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo. 

According to her, “We are still reaching out to governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So, it is a work in progress. 

On the state of affairs in Igboland, Lady Onwualu stated: “The issue of insecurity in the South East is a major challenge to everyone as it is a national phenomenon. However, we are doing our utmost to work with other stakeholders to find solutions to the challenge.” 

As one who believes in the ‘catch them young’ mantra, her organisation, the TOTT has from time to time been organising an epic youth empowerment programme in South East geo-political zone to sensitise the youths on the need to strive to be the best they can be in terms of self-development and self-improvement. 

This epic event, she stressed, made the traditional rulers in Igboland to honour her with the title of ‘Adadioranma Ndigbo’ as a result of the success of the programme. 

She added: “You may be pleased to know that we have another agenda in the pipeline to address the highly addictive substance – Crystalmeth alias mkpurumiri.” 

On the travails of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), and the need for him to be free, she said that the TOTT sees said: “We see him as our dear son and would urge for diplomacy and negotiation.” 

Lady Olive is concerned about the political situation in Ndigbo. She said: “It is not natural that different individuals with different faces, different value sets, cultural backgrounds, philosophy, etc, can speak with one voice. I just need to remind you that we are practising democracy which allows people to take different stances on issues. This is a major challenge facing the Igbo governors. 

“Be that as it may, it is important they recognise they need to find a way to reach a consensus in the interest of the masses. The focus should strictly be in the interest of the masses. In addition, Igbo governors are there through different political parties and as such, it is about different strokes for different folks!” 

She also added her voice on women participation in politics in Nigeria in general and South East in particular. She said: “Regarding women participating in partisan politics in Nigeria, especially in South East Nigeria, obviously, I am a woman and also from the South East. 

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“My view is my belief that research shows that women are better managers because of their nature. They run homes effectively and bring up their children. Therefore, their transferable skills are not under debate. 

“They can run a government effectively because they are known to pay attention to details and have the innate ability to pre-empt situations and find a way to stem it before it becomes catastrophic.” 

She continued: “Recall that before late Dora Akunyili’s untimely death, she once proposed that good governance was around the corner only if women were given the chance. Her theory, which we agreed on, is that while most men are involved in corruption of no repentance, by keeping so many side-kicks, women are rarely involved because the average Nigerian woman thinks of her home only. Late Dora was of South East extraction. 

“Nigerian women will emerge immensely following the Akunyili theory. However, in order for women to achieve much politically, they have to work hard to eliminate the negative aspects that militate against them. 

“Negativity like envy, the mindset that ‘it must be me mentality’ even though they have not got the right skill sets, educational qualification, experience, talents and proven track records to do such a job. 

“Women need to understand the need for mentorship and coaching. Women need to work on their emotions, objectivity and evidence based approaches are key. Nigerian women need to work on cross-talking, i.e., gossiping and not accepting positive criticisms. 

“Nigerian women need to work on their over-religiosity. They need to be aware that most countries that have prospered globally are not religious countries. 

“Women need to study the approach of their fellow female counterparts who have been in leadership in the western world. It is worth pointing out that their men should support them and see the ‘star’ in their women and not dampen their talents and capabilities.” 

The youths and just-concluded elections 

Lady Onwualu, a mother and mentor, commended the Nigerian youths highly for participating peacefully in the moves leading to the recently held Presidential and National Assembly elections during, focusing on the larger picture by coming out in droves to vote. She appealed to them to continue doing so until the conclusion of the elections on March 18, 2023. 

TOTT Celebrates A Quintessential Lady 

Peter Dike, one of the TOTT chieftains said on her birthday: “Lady Olive Ngozi Onwualu (Adadioramma Ndigbo) is a remarkable woman of high integrity and capacity who has made a significant impact on the lives of many people, especially the Igbo ethnic group. She was born on March 8, and as we celebrate her birthday, we cannot overlook her outstanding contributions to humanity. 

“Lady Olive is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and visionary leader who has worked tirelessly to uplift her community and inspire others to do the same. 

Lady Olive Onwualu is a trailblazer and an advocate for the empowerment of women. 

“She believes that women have the potential to make a significant impact on society and is committed to providing opportunities for women to thrive. As a result of her efforts, many women are empowered and able to achieve their full potential, Lady Olive has been able to address many social and economic issues affecting Igbo women, such as poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality. She has also been an advocate for peace, unity, and justice, and has played vital roles in bridging the gap between different communities in Nigeria. 

“Lady Olive Onwualu is a passionate advocate for the education of the girl-child. She believes that education is a fundamental right and that every child deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education. To this end, she has participated in many events to support the education of the girl child. 

“In addition to her leadership role, Lady Olive is also a successful entrepreneur, mental health specialist and Educator. She is the founder of The Oriental Think Tank Ltd, a quintessential organisation that is housing the best brains in diverse sectors of human endeavours, such as businesses men and Women, Politicians of repute, doctors of high pedigree, astute Lawyers, Educators, Administrators. 

“Through her business ventures, Networks and exposure, Lady Olive has created job opportunities for many people and has made recommendations that placed a lot of people in higher places and contracts awarded to them, especially youths, and have contributed to the economic growth of her community and the country at large. 

“Lady Olive is also a philanthropist who has made significant contributions to humanity. She believes in family life and is a great family woman. 

“She is the founder of the Global Transformation Foundation, a non-profit organisation that focuses on providing education, healthcare, and other basic needs to vulnerable individuals and communities. Through her foundation, Lady Olive has provided scholarships to underprivileged children, supported so many schools, hospitals, and provided disaster relief to victims of natural disasters. 

“In conclusion, Lady Olive N. Onwualu is an exceptional woman who has made remarkable contributions to humanity. As we celebrate her birthday on March 8th, which is also International Women’s Day, we honor her for her visionary leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic deeds. Her legacy will continue to inspire many generations to come, and her impact on society will be felt for years to come.” 

Her Reaction 

“My views are that my family and I are very grateful to God for his blessings and protection. The society and Ndigbo want me to continue with my commitment to humanity, and not let differences be in the way of my servant leadership tasks. Ndigbo believe that I am imbued with unusual native intelligence. My ardent belief is that ‘legacy’ according to Peter Strople is not leaving something for people, it is leaving something in people. I believe I have left a lot of people. 

Lady Olive, also fondly called the ‘Olive Factor’, is a leader who inspires passion and motivation in followers. Lady Olive is someone with a vision and the path to realising it. Lady Olive has remained the tested and trusted voice to the voiceless. According to John Maxwell, “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.”