Amb. (Evang.) Adekunbi Akin -Taylor is a woman who has made huge impact on various spheres of life in Nigeria. She is at once a great educationist who founded the famous Charlie – Marie Group of Schools located in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, a great sports lover and promoter who founded the Charlie – Marie Sports Academy in the same area, a committed philanthropist, a renowned socialite and an evangelist who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Expectedly, many accolades and recognition have come her way from various bodies in appreciation of her contribution to the development of her country in different fields of endeavour. She was recently conferred with the highly prestigious and widely recognized Woman of Merit Gold Award which is part of the PSR National Awards.

In this interview with People&Power, Evang. Grace Adekunbi Akin- Taylor talks extensively about her life, her motivation and her work. Excerpts:

You are a very distinguished Nigerian woman who just won the Woman of Merit Gold Award. How does this award make you feel?

I must confess that this award is special to me, I have received many other awards but those were due to contributions already made by me one way or the other to the awarder. These include awards from my Alma Mater, University of Ife, now OAU. People&Power’s PSR National Award makes me feel truly valued and appreciated because you heard one way or the other about my charity and child centred works and decided to honour me. You sought me out in my hinterland location, and for this, I will be eternally grateful.

From childhood all the way to the Woman of Merit Gold Award, you have obviously come a long way. Tell us a bit about your beginnings, childhood and all that?

I was born a seventh child to my father, High Chief Sir Gabriel Akinmade Taylor, of blessed memory and first daughter of my mother, Alice Edowaiye Taylor. They were both disciplinarians with different styles. I attended St. Agnes Maryland, Lagos and Baptist Girls School, Abeokuta for my primary education. After that, Abeokuta Girls Grammar School for secondary education, then The Polytechnic Ibadan and University of Ife for my tertiary education. My first degree was in Education I afterwards bagged a second degree at City University Business School in Barbican London – an Executive MBA. I had a relatively simple but adventurous childhood, and one thing that stood out was God rescuing me on numerous occasions from the clutches of death. Right from age 4 to June 2023, I cheated death seven times. My God is awesome. And oh, my dad wanted me to be a lawyer, but I preferred Education, and I won. I love sports, reading, writing, travelling and dancing.

You sojourned in England for 30 years or so. What was your experience like?

I moved to England in 1989 with a young family – three children aged seven, five and two and raised them up on my own due to marital issues. I thank God that all three of them, two girls and a boy are all doing well in England. They have given me seven grandchildren.  Life in England was not easy on me but I was able to weather the storm. I faced challenges squarely and kept on moving up, not down. I worked with schools, the police and two Local Government Councils. I unfortunately had to retire early after I had double spinal surgery. My experiences after a series of illnesses and surgeries, (the last one almost took my life), changed my orientation. I brought back to Nigeria my pension lump sum and started a good school with excellent facilities in a village by name Labori Oloja. That is Charlie Marie Group of Schools.

While in England, I had a few subtle racial bias issues but being a fighter, I didn’t allow someone else to define me. But, I was able to do all I did because God had my back. He never forsook me, and I am eternally grateful to my Lord.

Why did you decide to return to Nigeria?

I knew I would retire back home for the sort of life that OAPs lived over there was never going to be for me. While there, I came home regularly, bought a house at Abeokuta in preparation for retirement, which came earlier than expected as I mentioned above. I waited for my last born to graduate from university and in gradual stages, I relocated back home to Nigeria where my heart is. I love my country Nigeria, and I felt obliged to contribute to the development of my country. So here I am. And oh, the social life in Nigeria was a yes for me.

What was your motivation for founding Charlie – Marie Group of Schools and indeed, the Charlie – Marie Sports Arena/Academy?

God directed my footsteps. I hear from Him, and whatever He instructs, I do. Also, I love children so much, and I rejoice seeing the transformation. Education is key. I adopted the phrase Catch Them Young, to make sure we start our children very young and give them the best. As for the academy, I spotted some very raw talents at an athletics competition, but there was no standard training ground in the whole of Ogijo LGA. Being a sportswoman myself, I identified the need to provide the local children a sports ground, and I did.

Charlie-Marie Academy is just a year old but we have gained grounds and recognition. One of my athletes represented Lagos State in the recently concluded Youth Games. Four others have been invited for trials in Lagos to represent Lagos State. Fingers crossed that they will make the listing.

Why did you choose Eriyo-Ogijo in Ogun State as the location for your huge investment in education and sport?

Some children are born with silver spoons in their mouths, some have the right environment and affluence, while most children are born into poor and struggling families and cannot hope for the best in education etc. So right from the onset, I knew my calling was to help the last category of children. It had been the hinterlands (grassroot) for me. I feel for the underprivileged and will fight for the upliftment of the downtrodden anyday. Right from my early years, I always championed the cause of the helpless. In my early teens, I was always giving away my mother’s foodstuffs to poorer families, not realizing that my mum was managing her finances too. Why should we have a big tin of red oil and Mama Gbenga cannot boast of three spoons of oil to cook? Talk less of rice, beans etc. I always gave the poorer neighbours something. At secondary school, in my senior years, I always championed the cause of the feeble innocent juniors. I shared out my money, for I never knew how to spend on myself. My joy is always to share or give. So I asked my engineer brother to search for where I could get a sizeable, problem – free land. I am from Ondo State, I live in Lagos and grew up in Abeokuta. I wanted somewhere not too far from Lagos and was led to the “bush” which has now become a well – populated Labori Oloja.

As for the sports complex, I needed a place not too far from the school, not under government acquisition, powerline, etc. We made numerous searches and finally settled for the land we found at Eriyo. So Charlie Marie Group of Schools, Labori-Oloja, and Charlie – Marie Academy, Eriyo became a reality, and both have come to stay. Amen.

Do you feel fulfilled in these areas of endeavour?

I feel very fulfilled. It is hard work, but it is a calling (my calling). When I see the transformation in my children and athletes, their successes, and progress, I say Thank you Lord for choosing me as a vessel. For enabling me to leave a positive mark and by the grace of God, a legacy of love that will never die. I am confident that you will be hearing more about my children and seeing them in high places. Oh yes, I am fulfilled and will continue to work hard, so help me God.

The area of education aside, you have been very committed to philanthropy and charity. What is behind this commitment?

Let me begin by quoting 1Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Love is charity, and charity means helping the needy in whatever way possible. I want a better world for everyone. No one deserves to suffer, or be defined as a low life! It is charity – minded people with the heart of God who will make a difference. I choose to be one of them so help me God. I may not be able to do it all but I will do my best always. Lastly, God has been good to me, and God has saved me from serious health challenges and near death experiences. There must be a reason behind this. I choose God and will do His bidding.

What would you say are the factors or convictions that have informed your perspective on life?

 Life is what we make of it, just like age is a mindset. I was brought up with sound Christian values of seeing the best about life and people. It is not always the case, but my policy is to keep my personal corner clean, fair, happy, humble, and helpful. The four way Rotary Test is part of my personal life mantra.

What are you looking to achieve in the near future?

This is a good question and it is relevant in management. I already have a lot going on, and I will be wary of any new venture so as not to burn out. It is not about how many things you have but how well you are managing what you have. In the near future, I plan to improve on and consolidate on what I have on ground. The school and academy are capital intensive, and I believe in having a good maintenance culture as well. I am already thinking of having a Board of Directors for both. I am glad I have sold off my guest house and leisure gardens to complete the Academy. In the near future I want the school and academy to attain greater heights, and getting this done is not a mean feat.

You clocked 66 in June. How would you describe your 66 years on Planet Earth?

 I have had 66&½ years of God’s grace, favour, and divine protection. It has not been an easy journey. I have had the highs and lows of life. I have had my fair share of turbulence, attacks, pains, anger, frustration, and disappointments. I have shed so many tears, but now I say no more sorrow. So I don’t dwell on the negatives in my life. I would rather concentrate on counting my blessings, thanking and praising God, especially for saving my life so many times. Life is what one makes of it. I now live a life of gratitude to God and duly do what I am able to do. I have identified my life stressors and I keep away from them. My humble prayer to God is that He continues to do exactly all He has been doing in my life. And I say Amen!