By Boniface Ihiasota
Victoria Obaze is the first black Speaker (Civic Mayor) of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom (UK). Born in Imo State Nigeria, she believes that objective leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and those who are doing well to do even better.
Obaze attended West London College where she studied Business Administration. She also went on to Metropolitan University where she obtained a degree in Community Sector Management. She also obtained a certificate in Childcare after which she ran a registered charitable childcare centre named Vicharles Play Centre. She is also a mother with four children and two grandchildren.
A God fearing woman, she was a warden and member of Parochial Church Council as well as Executive Council member at St. Dunstan’s Church of England Parish in Stepney. After attempts at leadership, she finally became a Councilor in 2018 for Whitechapel ward.
In this interview with Boniface Ihiasota of Excel Magazine International, Hon. Obaze bares her mind on many issues including emerging as the first black Mayor of Tower Hamlets. Excerpts below.
Excel Mag: As a Nigerian in the United Kingdom, Did you think of breaking high records as this?
Victoria Obaze: As a Nigerian in UK, with God’s interventions, I know you can achieve whatever you set your mind to do and achieve provided you work hard and don’t ever give up!
Excel Mag: There is a perception that there is lopsided treatment of blacks, what worked differently for you or is the perception wrong?
Victoria Obaze: I do challenge any situation that I feel is not right and let whomever know that I will not let it go until I get the right answers to my queries.
Excel Mag: What motivated your leadership interest in the United Kingdom?
Victoria Obaze: I wanted to make a difference within my community and to show women and the young ones that you can be whatever you want to be and not allowing anything nor anyone to stop you. Therefore, when you see that nothing is happening wherever you are and needed a change, you be that change to improve lives, and make that change! And I asked myself why can’t I be the leader? Those that are there have they got two or more heads? I can do it too no matter how difficult it may seem, I will not give up! And it pays off! My motto is don’t ever give up! Keep pushing until something you want happens!
Excel Mag: Africans have great minds abroad but find it difficult to replicate same leadership at home-front, what is the major constraint?
Victoria Obaze: Because home-front don’t show appreciation and encouragement what those great minds are doing abroad! They are only broadcasting that Nigerians are 419, drug dealers or bad names (mind you by few) which’s in every nations but the good names majority are doing abroad they are not broadcasting it! Why??!
Excel Mag: Recently, there was Brexit in the United Kingdom, what implication do you expect from this development?
Victoria Obaze: We just have to wait and see
Excel Mag: How does it feel each time you reflect that you are first black female leader holding your position?
Victoria Obaze: I feel honoured and privileged to be in this position and pray that others will follow too knowing that it’s possible and my Borough is truly multicultural.
Excel Mag: Holding leadership position in Africa comes as a female comes with some difficulty, how can this be solved?
Victoria Obaze: Women should be given more opportunities as there are a lot of capable women who can hold leadership positions and will do a very good job at it!
Excel Mag: Do you still identify with your Nigerian roots?
Victoria Obaze: Of course.
Excel Mag: What intrigues you about the Nigerian culture?
Victoria Obaze: Respect for our elders, family, colourful attires, music and food!
Excel Mag: Tell us your best Nigerian food
Victoria Obaze: Vegetable soup or Ofe Owerri and pounded Yam!
Excel Mag: How do you intend to use your office to impact the African society?
Victoria Obaze: Through Vicharles Foundation NGO I would like to use this medium to raise funds and help vulnerable people, women, children/ young people and disabled people to impact lives in Africa.
Excel Mag: Tell us something rare about you.
Victoria Obaze: There is nothing really rare about me. I don’t give up and I thank God for using me as a vessel to help others, inspire and motivate them.
