We had the good fortune of connecting with Princess Modupe Ozolua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Princess Modupe, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Considering I recently made some radical decisions, my perception of risk has greatly changed.

Children take risks because they are usually unaware of the negative impact their decisions might might on them. Such as climbing a tree and sitting on a branch. They only focus on the happiness they believe they would experience when they accomplish their goal, not the possibility of falling and their breaking bones.

As adults, although we want to enjoy the pleasure of climbing trees, we must first consider some factors such as possible insects on the tree that could bite us, how strong are the branches, the possibilities of falling and breaking bones or hitting the head on a rock, etc, After considering these and more, we might decide to simply forego the climb and enjoy the view from the ground rather than deal with fractures that might never heal or worse.

Reflecting on my past decisions, I have also been a risk taker both in my personal and professional life.

The younger me took many career risks including investing heavily into pioneering cosmetic surgery in West Africa and going into dangerous territories to help the underprivileged, etc.

All these were done without much consideration of possible failure of investments or how risking my life have ripple effects on my son, family and loved ones.

Although I am still a risk taker, I now take more calculated risks with fully understanding that while some risks are not worth taking, some should only be taken from a distance while those that need direct confrontation should be done fearlessly.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There is an ancient Chinese saying that, “he who knows he will be a King tomorrow isn’t afraid to be a slave today.”

Servitude demands humility. As a philanthropist I realize that the greater benefit supersedes self interest.

Despite being the Founding President of Empower 54, I am very much involved of in our activities in Africa. I recall the challenges we experienced clearing containers of non-perishable foods, clothing and medication meant for underprivileged people in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The bottlenecks in the clearing process has become a deterrent for NGOs to take charitable items to these countries. Sometimes, containers are abandoned at the ports due to the near impossible clearing processes; thus the items never get to the beneficiaries that need them.

I knew the laws must be changed to enable more organizations legally operate smoothly within the parameters of the laws in order to help the vulnerable in society.

This made me decide to take the bull by the horns.

Instead of complaining about the laws, I had to change them.

Considering I am not interested in running for public office in my birth Country, Nigeria, the next best thing to do was to be an adviser at the National Assembly (Congress) and facilitate necessary legislative reforms to improve the sector; thus improving lives of beneficiaries.

After making this decision, I got appointed as the Special Adviser on NGOs/CSO Affairs, including People With Disabilities to the 9th Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and since my appointment, I have successfully brought together critical stakeholders in the public (legislators, government ministries and agencies), private (organizations/associations) and civil society sectors together to commence major legislative reforms that will eventually revolutionize the operations of NGOs/CSOs operating in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is a greater responsibility that those I had with Empower 54. Now, every decision I make impacts over 100,000 NGOs, all development partners and donor agencies operating in Nigeria, the world’s most populous Black nation.

Prior to my involvement, there was great distrust between government and the NGO sector. What was considered impossible to do has been successful because I took time to negotiate with all all stakeholders and ensure their by-in into the different initiatives. It has been very exhausting considering it requires a lot of negotiations, networking and usage of my existing brand and good-will.

Even more so because continuously shuttle between home in Atlanta, Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

It has reaffirmed what made me take a short leave of absence from Empower 54 to serve in this capacity; which is the fact that there are countless NGOs also doing great like Empower 54 but don’t have the access to over come bottlenecks in the system. I strongly believe that the laws should enable all organizations function efficiently to the greater good of the non-profit sector. Only when this is possible will it translate to more lives being positively impacted.

Not only is being a political adviser a new addition to my brand, it has been an advanced course on humility and patience which I didn’t know I had (laughs).

However, I am honored to lead the Nigerian government, numerous UN agencies, development partners, donors and over 100,000 NGOs operating in the Federal Republic of Nigeria towards achieving positive critical changes that will outlive us all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Considering I am a foodie, we would certainly be eating out a lot. Some of my favorite hangout spots are: StarFish restaurant, Seasons 52, Tuk Tuk Thai Food loft, Sky Lounge and Two Urban Licks.

Some additional things we will do is go climbing at Stone Mountain Park, go Too Groovy salon for our hair, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am who I am today because of my late father, Chief Julius Ozolua and my son, Prince Seun Ozolua-Osunbade’s encourage ment to be my best self.

Instagram: @PrincessModupeOzolua

Twitter: @ModupeOzolua

Facebook: @PrincessModupeOzolua

Image Credits
Empower 54 Princess Modupe Ozolua

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