Adeyemi Odunaike was born in Lagos State but raised in Ogun state. She studied Diploma in Data Processing at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. Ogun state then proceeded to study Computer Engineering at the same University and then had her Masters in Business Administration from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. Adeyemi popularly called Omo General, a nickname her father gave her, started her career with Guaranty Trust Bank and then moved on to telecommunications before relocating to America. She worked in a couple of places before deciding to join the U.S. military. She is one of the few Nigerian women in the United States Navy and now a Second Class Petty Officer.
Lilian Imoni had an interview with her conducted as part of the HIGH HEELS WITH LILIAN series, a column dedicated to profiling women in business and careers and sharing their inspiring stories, their trials and triumphs. Women who are game changers in their various field of endeavours across different sectors of the economy are featured. If you will like to be featured on this column, please call 07013105041 or contact @lilianimoni on Instagram
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
On weekdays, mostly when my alarm rings. The only thing that comes to mind is how I need more sleep. Haha
The key to success in three words.
God, hard work and consistent determination.
What is the greatest piece of wisdom you have heard?
When you are at the very rock bottom, there is only one way to go. Which is up!
What motivates you to carry on?
Looking back at where I started. And not wanting all that to go to waste always motivates me to keep going. Also my mom has a way of motivating me either directly or indirectly. An example is when I was in boot camp for the Navy. There are a lot of things you needed to pass to graduate boot camp. One aspect needed was the swim qualification. It was about 3 stages. First, was to swim certain number of yards. And second was to prone float for some minutes and the third was to be able to use your coveralls as a flotation device in the water. I had always known how to swim from back in Nigeria when my mom will take us to Gateway Hotel Ijebu-Ode when we were kids to swim. Little did I know that will help me as an adult. So the first stage wasn’t as challenging. But I never knew how to prone float and also never jumped from a cliff into the water. These were things I had to do. And it also didn’t help the situation that I was in boot camp during the winter time in Chicago. If anyone knows Chicago, you will know they have extreme weather. Waking up at 5am freezing, walking about 2 miles in the snow just to go to the swimming pool every single day (morning and evening) until I passed that stage. Almost 2 weeks I still haven’t passed my prone float. I was losing hope. I was wondering if I could do this. Then finally I walked my 2 miles to the pool. And while I was in the water I was thinking about how I have been suffering and how all I wanted was just to leave that place and see my mom again. And I stayed there in the water, raised my head up for 2 breathes and back inside the water. I was thinking about my mom and the good times with my family. How funny my sisters get. And I almost forgot I was still in the water holding my breath to prone float. Next thing, time went by. And I passed. So looking at all the struggles and challenges I have faced in my career, it surely is a good motivation to keep going.
If you were to start all over again what would you do differently?
If I were to start all over again, I don’t think I will change a thing. Everything I have gone through in life has helped me become who I am today. And don’t forget, you cannot regret what you tried. You only regret what you never tried.
What has been your greatest challenge as a woman in career?
In my career, as a woman in the Armed forces, one of my challenges is to always keep up. We have something called Physical Fitness Assessment, which happens every 6 months. If you fail twice in 2 years you get kicked out of the military. So even though I hate running and working out. Those are things I have to do to keep my career.
What keeps you awake at night?
Honestly, nothing keeps me awake at night. Sleep is almost like a privilege and not a right. So when I get the chance to sleep. I sleep.
What is your biggest fear?
I am not sure why I will want to share my biggest fear with the whole world if it’s truly my fear. I probably wouldn’t want much people to know. But something I will say that is a concern for me is to fit into the world outside of the military. Being able to relate with people normally without being on the edge or cautious that they are up to something.
A seasoned professional, an adorable mother, a loving wife, a mentor to many. How do you strike a balance?
I always say this, family first. Your business or your job or your career will always come and go. But your family will always be there. Even if it is a business, you wouldn’t run it forever. It is still your family that will keep the legacy going, so they always have to be priority. And that principle guides me to balance everything.
Advice to women in business/career
Stay humble. There were people there before you, and there will be people after you. Just stay humble and always glorify God for giving you the opportunity you have today.
How do you relax/unwind?
I’m in California and we have one of the best beaches around. So going to the beach is always a good way to unwind. Also, on lazy days, I just go to the movies. And if it is a weekend that I have a little energy to spare, my friends and I will have a ladies night out, which is always fun.
