BACK TO AFRICA SERIES: (SIERRA LEONE) Young African Professionals on Moving Back

Dear Folks,

Thank you for stopping by the blog! I sometimes forget to acknowledge the many fans all over the globe who dutifully read up on all the posts. I truly do appreciate it, and your support is what motivates me to keep at it. If you have noticed, I haven’t posted anything in awhile…..and the culprit here was my lack of motivation. I’ve been feeling a lot of pressure lately, as to what it is that I truly want, and at the end of the day what do I believe matters the most. In not so many words, I refer to pressures from life, be them personal/career/academic and needless to say, all around headaches. Then, just as you start to self doubt yourself, something or someone inspires you to keep pushing on.

So as I spent the last couple of months tormenting myself on whether or not I could indeed “have it all”, I bucked up the courage to ask one of the women I have always admired from afar on whether she would be willing to share her story on being a Young African Professional, a Mum, a Wife, CEO of her own company and seemingly has it all. What can I say…..I’m a sucker for “Boss-Ladies” and Millicent Ojumu represents everything I have always dreamed of becoming.

MILLICENT OJUMU – In Her Own Words

– Your background (country of origin, where you attended high school, undergrad,..etc) MO: I attended St. Joseph’s Convent in Freetown, Sierra Leone then left for Germany, UK and France to complete my studies. Obtained degrees in Law and French and licence de droit from Montpellier Faculte de Droit, France.

– What inspired you to return to Africa?. MO: I’ve always loved the diversity and sense of freedom that seemed to be available to all.

– What are you engaged in now that you have returned, ie working, running your own business,etc? MO: I established a consultancy firm 9 years ago providing corporate advisory services to domestic and foreign based businesses.

– What would you say is the best part of relocating and working in Africa so far?. MO: The ability to explore options otherwise not available elsewhere. In Sierra Leone I was overwhelmed with the opportunities that seemed within reach; there seemed to be so much to do, daily I was inspired to do more and daily I felt energized just by being here.

– What would you say is the hardest part of relocating/working and living in Africa so far?. MO: To relocate requires a mindset change. Despite wanting to return home, and having lived and worked in many other places, returning home felt like a huge step, filled with fear and uncertainties. Almost all of my fears and uncertainties did not prove true and on arrival I would wonder what the fuss had all been about when I could easily pack up and return if necessary.

Since my return – I am now aware of the nuances between and behind each seemingly plausible opportunity I saw on my arrival; the varying shades of difficulties that overwhelm the opportunities around me and bleed my inspirations dry. Above all I now recognize that Sierra Leone is where it is because it is a battlefield where the tools and weapons learnt abroad need to be applied differently and wisely for one to be effective as a female in corporate Sierra Leone. Unfortunately this knowledge is not available in any book but must be learnt daily – this by far is the most difficult part of living and working in Sierra Leone thus far.

– Why would you recommend that other young African professionals think of coming back to Africa to work?.

MO: We desperately need the critical mass to make a change in our lifetime, to influence those we meet on arrival and be willing to be influenced in return, to be accepted as Sierra Leonean despite the very ‘foreignness’ of our ways, words, thoughts and actions and to accept those very unlike us as Sierra Leoneans and be willing to work on a blend that accommodates all. I would recommend that other young African professionals return to Africa if they believe they have a role to play and want to see Africa on the stage it deserves and not where it is at present. For Sierra Leoneans, we need trailblazers, those that can take risks, those willing to stand up against the odds and speak up against the established order.

– What industries do you think are looking the most promising/have the potential to recruit heavily?

MO: The services sector – HR, capacity building, training etc

– What would be your advice in terms of how someone can successfully find a job in Africa?

MO: Make direct contact with companies of interest and offer to work for them pro bono on holidays and remotely if possible.

MOTHERHOOD IN AFRICA

– As someone with a British born child how has the transition moving back to Sierra Leone been for your kid?

MO: It has been fine for me, my child came as a baby. I do however think children have a lot of playtime and opportunity to make friends here than anywhere else I know. It’s us the parents that tend to restrain them and worry endlessly of all that could go wrong.

– Most parents thinking about relocating back have healthcare worries for their kids such as access to medication, hospitals, etc What would be your advice to them?

MO: Medication is not a problem at all as all products can be bought over the counter or shipped in if necessary. Hospitals and medical facilities are a concern but most emergencies get a much quicker and direct response as here we have our doctors and specialists on speed dial. This is typically much faster than an ambulance service abroad. In really serious cases, patients can be flown to Ghana. Am told typical kids problems like asthma and allergies disappear over time here with the weather and fresh food.

– What kind of school does your child attend or will attend in the future?.

MO: My child will attend Tower Hill School this September. There are good private schools for primary school level and not so many for secondary level. I prefer schools with an established history in good education and discipline. There is also a Montessori school here which has good reviews.

– What are the benefits or negatives of raising your kids in Africa?.

MO: The biggest benefit is that you do not raise them alone. Plenty of family, neighbours and friends that influence your child. Hired help is also much more affordable. The quality of food is also much better and the limited availability of sweets and fast food is a bonus. Am told the freedom to discipline your child as you see fit is also a benefit appreciated by those with difficult kids. The negatives if any are few.

INFORMAL QUESTIONS

– What would I find you doing on weekends or on weekdays after you come home from work? MO: Reading a good book – By relocating back to Africa as a young African professional, I hope to……..(fill out the blank) MO: I hope to make a difference in my country of origin

– In five years I see myself………..(fill out the blank)

MO: I see myself being engaged in something to do with the Public Sector

– What other African country/countries would you love to visit and why?. MO: – The East African Region. I know little about East Africa and would love to see how returnees there have fared in setting up businesses.

Thank You Millicent!!

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