T.M. Kayode

Hello dear readers,

I interrupt our regular conversation to bring you the prologue of a book I am writing. Well, it’s more like the first draft of the prologue. Life has been a bit hectic lately, much like last week, and while I attempt to sort myself out, I would appreciate it if you could read this prologue and give me your honest feedback. I really need this.

Okay, here it goes…

Prologue: Discovering Mrs. A

I haven’t met her yet. But never say never.

It was 2024 and the year felt different. I was lying on the couch, scrolling through the streets of YouTube, my body too tired to move to the bedroom, trying to shake off the heavy fog of exhaustion that had been my constant companion for the past few years. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that only comes after everyone else has gone to bed. The soft glow of the screen was the only light in the room, casting shadows that danced on the walls.

The last couple of years had been tiring for me, and I admit I was knocked off course. I have always believed that we are created on earth by God for a purpose, not just to occupy space. The pursuit of this purpose had driven me these many years, but after completing undergrad, going for my NYSC, then masters, then pursuing my PhD and finishing that against all odds—being sick and then pregnant, getting a postdoctoral appointment soon after my PhD, being a present wife and mother—it felt like I was running on steam.

I just needed to stop, evaluate, and recalibrate. I was so tired. So tired that I stopped thinking, planning for the future. I was just going through the motions. Ask me what I wanted to do during that time, and my answer was—I don’t know. But as 2024 began, I felt a spark of hope. I knew I was ready to start again. To feel again. To think again. My heart cried out to the Lord because I realized I had been trying to do all the things He had called me to do in the energy of the flesh.

And by strength shall no man prevail.

I had spent the first few months of 2024 asking God what He wanted me to do. Amidst the activities of the previous years, I had forgotten. Being someone who had succeeded at almost everything she had tried in the past, I didn’t want to run ahead of myself. I wanted to wait for divine guidance. I admit I was getting a bit impatient at some point, but it was rewarding. God started reminding me of the things He had told me in years past. Now, I needed the courage to act.

I was listening to a sermon, and the preacher mentioned that we should identify people who had made progress in the areas of interest to us. I asked God to identify mentors and coaches for me on this journey He has called me to.

God answered.

—

That night, as I casually scrolled through videos, I was listening to another mentor, and she mentioned Mrs. Olaj… Let’s call her Mrs. A for now. She was talking about the influence this remarkable woman had on her own journey. Intrigued, I typed her name into the search bar and hit enter. Little did I know, that simple act would change the course of my life.

The first video that popped up was an interview with Mrs. A. The thumbnail alone caught my attention—there she was, poised and radiant, with a smile that seemed to hold secrets of the universe. Her attire was elegant yet understated, reflecting a balance of simplicity and sophistication. I clicked play, and from the first moment she spoke, I was hooked.

First thoughts—who is this woman and how did she just melt my face off?

Her voice was a blend of warmth and authority, a melody that drew you in and made you want to listen. She spoke about her childhood, growing up in a university environment, surrounded by books and intellectual discussions. It was a world I could relate to, having spent my own childhood buried in books, my imagination my only limit.

As the interview continued, I was struck by her blend of spiritual depth and intellectual prowess. She seamlessly wove stories about African ancestral architecture with philosophical musings and practical life lessons. Here was a woman who wasn’t just a polymath; she was a force of nature.

Confession time—over the next few days, I binged video after video, soaking up her wisdom and insights. Mrs. A wasn’t just speaking to my intellect; she was speaking to my soul. Her story resonated with me on a profound level, appealing to both my spiritual and intellectual sides. As I continued watching her interviews, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between her struggles and my own. Each story she shared seemed to echo a chapter of my life. It was as if she was speaking directly to my heart, offering wisdom and encouragement for the battles I faced daily.

—

My obsessive compulsion led me to writing this book. Because why not! Her secrets are in her stories, and I am going to dig them out!

I’m going to find out how she did all she did.

_insert cute evil laugh_

I remember the exact moment I decided this was more than just a passing interest. It was after yet another late-night binge of Mrs. A’s interviews. I was sitting on the same couch, feeling that familiar sense of awe, and I thought, “Why not turn this fascination into a book?”

Methodological Approach

To capture the essence of Mrs. A, I knew I needed a plan. I started by outlining my research strategy, focusing on secondary data sources. My journey began on YouTube, where I found many interviews and speeches. Each video was full of insights. I watched them carefully, taking notes and writing down timestamps for particularly striking quotes.

But YouTube was just the beginning. I searched for articles, biographies, and any other written material I could find about her. I even read her books, which provided a deeper understanding of her thoughts and personal reflections. Each source offered a new layer to her story, a new view of her achievements and beliefs. In one interview, she said, “To truly succeed, you must marry your passion with purpose.” This simple yet profound statement struck a chord with me. It was a reminder that my pursuits should be driven not just by ambition but by a deeper sense of purpose. I created a dedicated folder on my computer, organizing these resources into categories like “Early Life,” “Career,” “Societal Impact,” and “Personal Philosophies.” This was not just a random collection of data; it was a carefully curated treasure trove of knowledge.

To manage this vast amount of information, I turned to Obsidian. This powerful note-taking app became my second brain, helping me organize my thoughts and insights into a coherent structure. Obsidian’s linking capabilities allowed me to connect related pieces of information easily, creating a web of knowledge that reflected the many sides of Mrs. A’s life.

Secondary Data Review

My secondary data review became a nightly ritual. I would dive into YouTube interviews, noting how she spoke about her childhood with such fondness, her career with passion, and her impact on society with humility. Articles provided context and depth, filling in the gaps left by video interviews. Biographies were especially enlightening, offering a comprehensive look at her life’s journey.

One evening, as I was going through an article about her architectural achievements, I realized that each source was like a piece of a puzzle. To see the full picture, I had to connect these pieces methodically. This realization led me to the next phase of my project: organizing my findings into clear themes.

Themes and Structure

Organizing the wealth of information I had gathered was both exciting and overwhelming. I knew that to do justice to Mrs. A’s story, I had to present it in a way that was both comprehensive and engaging.

Organizing Findings

I started by mapping out the key themes of her life:

Early Life: Exploring her upbringing, family background, and the experiences that shaped her.

Career: Delving into her journey as an architect, highlighting her notable projects and professional milestones.

Societal Impact: Examining her contributions to society, especially her efforts in empowering women and promoting African culture.

Personal Philosophies: Reflecting on her beliefs, values, and the wisdom she shared through her speeches, writings, and books.

Marriage: Understanding her relationship dynamics, how she balances her personal and professional life, and the role her marriage plays in her journey.

Parenting: Delving into her experiences and philosophies on raising children, and how she integrates parenting with her career and personal growth.

All Business: Looking at her ventures and entrepreneurial spirit, the businesses she has built, and the challenges she has faced as a businesswoman.

Philanthropy: Highlighting the impact of her foundation, its mission, and the lives it has touched through various initiatives.

Tools and Techniques

To keep everything organized, I used tools like mind maps and outlines. Mind maps helped me see the connections between different aspects of her life. Each branch represented a theme, with sub-branches detailing specific events, quotes, and insights.

Outlines were my roadmap, guiding the structure of each chapter. I used them to ensure that the narrative flowed logically from one theme to the next. This thematic organization allowed me to weave a cohesive story, showing how each phase of her life influenced the next.

Interactive Elements

As I was organizing my findings, I had the idea to make the book interactive, allowing readers to go directly to the reference materials. I loved the idea of including QR codes right within the text, so readers don’t have to flip to the end to view references. They could simply scan a code and be taken directly to the source—whether it’s a YouTube video, an article, or a book excerpt.

Additionally, I thought pictures, charts, and other visual aids would enhance the reading experience. Visual elements can break up the text and provide a more engaging way to understand the complex and fascinating story of Mrs. A. These tools would not only enrich the narrative but also offer a deeper connection to the material, making Mrs. A’s journey feel more immediate and impactful.

I will not bore you with my methodology. You are here to read about Mrs. A. So, without much ado, welcome to my attempt at creating a chronological overview of her life and work. This book is the perfect excuse to watch and listen to her for weeks on end.

So, what do you think?

Please leave a comment, I read all of it.