Meet Our Chamomile, Eniola.

"It represents life, health, nurturing and I believe that when given the room, I bring these key things into the lives of those whose lives I am fortunate enough to pour into."

Meet Eniola Ladapo. She was born in 2000 and attended Chrisland High School in Lagos, Nigeria.

Who was Eniola in Secondary School?

I was many things. I was everywhere, anywhere, all the time, doing everything. I was top of my year but also the most troublesome. I was responsible and had everything under control, but I was also something of a daredevil, making my own rules whenever I felt like. I would walk out of a class if I was too tired to sit through it and still ace the exams. I was bold and confident, qualities that were valued when the school needed a debating champion or someone to lead morning assemblies, but not when it bordered on rudeness and defiance towards teachers. There was no in-between when it came to me, students and teachers either really liked me or really disliked me. Some of my teachers saw through my sometimes-rough exterior into my heart and saw my softness, my tenderness; others simply saw me as a problem student, a wild girl who needed to be taught that she was not Lord over herself. I guess both were right, I don’t deny that I caused chaos several times, but academically and in extra-curriculars I was excelling, so it was a complex situation. My report card always had me getting high grades and fantastic comments, and then behaviourally the same thing was flagged – I needed to calm down. I was the girl who surpassed the school’s record in the Cambridge Checkpoint exam (year 9) and IGCSE (year 12), the maths Olympiad bronze medallist, the debater, I had the lead role of Mary in our Variety night that only happened once in two years, I championed my house morally in every interhouse sports despite not actually being athletically skilled, I hosted a really cool fashion show, I shone during home economics exams with my delicious dishes, I aced both sciences and arts, I did choreographies, I was both the commander of the march past and a part of the royal train depending on the year, I was friends with all the schoolgrounds helpers, I was actually everywhere! The real definition of get you somebody that can do both, except in this case it was a billion things.

Who are you now?

I am a servant of God, a woman of faith, a shepherd, a worshipper, a vision-builder. I am a consultant. I am a dreamer. I am a friend, sister, daughter. I am many things but now all that I am is centred around my core identity which is firmly rooted in Christ. Anything that doesn’t reflect my love for God in its own way is ideally kept apart from me. I am a person that values purpose, understanding, wisdom in knowing and abiding by the ways of God. And I am deeply passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it’s interesting how much shorter this paragraph is than the last. With discovering Jesus, things are just so much simpler. It is really either Him or nothing.

What dreams did you have when you were younger?

Is it too cliché to say that I wanted to be the President of Nigeria? Maybe it is, but it is true. Yes, I wanted to study law and then economics and work at top firms, but my ultimate goal was Aso Rock. I always felt that if given the chance I could deliver Nigeria from herself and turn things around. The level of corruption and injustice in our nation grieved me even from primary school. I would see people suffering and pray that we got a leader that would help them but determined in my heart that even if it had to be me, I would stand up for my people and bring them to deliverance.

Have they changed over time?

Definitely. I don’t think God’s plan for me is to become the President of Nigeria. Maybe it is. I don’t know. But my dreams are not centred around that. My heart is for my generation, and my dreams all point to my desire to see my generation reconciled to Jesus, living in righteousness, proclaiming God’s goodness, and carrying His glory. I want my generation to go to Heaven, and even before that to establish God’s Kingdom here on earth. I want my generation to see the Truth about who God is, not the lies that the world feeds us. Wherever that takes me in line with God’s purpose, I will go.

Talk us through your interests, what do you do for fun?

Not much. This is actually something I am trying to work on. I used to cook and bake for fun, but I haven’t had the time since I started working. I don’t really have hobbies because I struggle to make time for such with such a busy schedule. I would probably say spending time with the people I love is one thing that I enjoy a lot. I am a big quality time girl, so I love that. I also love watching TV and I am a reformed TV addict, but I wouldn’t say I “do” it so much now as I hardly ever have the time.

Did any of these interests influence your passion for Christ?

Maybe. I guess in the way that I love building close relationships with people. Maybe that.

When did you realise you were interested in this passion?

Start of 2021. I started to hear God’s voice and He revealed Himself to me in such a new way, it made me realise just how much my generation needed the same. Over time, the more I see of Him, the more He shows me why He created me, I grow more in understanding. I guess then that I wouldn’t say I am “interested in this passion” more like this I am living out this life because it is the life I was born to live and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What did you study in university and why?

I studied Economics because I enjoyed the subject thoroughly when it was introduced to me in year 10. I come from a family of lawyers, so the plan was always for me to follow in that path especially given my penchant for arguing. Then I met someone at a university fair who told me that an actual law degree was very boring and reading-intensive, so I shouldn’t do it. He advised me to study something else and then do the conversion. So, I picked Economics. But then I realised studying Economics opened me up to the world of finance and decided on that instead. Haven’t done the law conversion (to my uncle’s dismay, haha) and don’t know that I ever will.

Who/what inspired you to take your passion to the next level?

God did. He calls me to come deeper, and I follow Him. That is how we roll.

Were there any discouraging factors in your process?

I would just say, I won’t answer this in past tense because my process is very much ongoing. And yes, of course. Discouraging factors are a part of life. I’ve had people walk away from the vision because they don’t believe in it or in my ability to lead for God, I’ve made several mistakes along the way that have made me feel utterly unqualified, I have been discouraged on several occasions.

Did your secondary school play any role in elevating/deterring this passion?

Elevating, but not entirely. The things I did in school primed me to be an all-rounder and to be bold, to speak up for myself, to hold fast to my conviction. So, not the passion for God in itself but the tools that have helped me channel it rightly into creating impact.

Do you think secondary schools encourage students’ entrepreneurial minds?

I think it depends on the school; it also depends on the students. Some schools are only supportive of students with specific strengths and not others, some students just struggle to thrive in a typical school environment.

What are the most difficult and most rewarding aspects of working on The Oasis?

Most difficult – the sacrifices. And not the material ones, but the times when I have to really take from my emptiness, my nothingness, and pour out to others. When I have to give up my own desires or first choice to suit God’s agenda, to show up for God’s people and even for myself, it can be a lot, but God sustains me.

Most rewarding aspect – knowing that my life pleases God. It is just the joy of my heart to know that my actions, my decisions, my person pleases God. At the end of the day, I live for an audience of One and if my One is pleased with me, then that is all the reward I need.

Have you ever wanted to give up? Why?

Yes, in the earlier days last year. Because I was weary. I felt that being inadequate and unqualified meant that I needed to throw in the towel. Those things are still true but now I understand that as long as I am called, the grace I receive from God is equipped to handle those insufficiencies.

Where do you see The Oasis in 3 years?

I see us doing God’s will, impacting our generation, leading souls to Jesus, sharing the Truth about who God is, walking in love and purpose.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

All of the above, lol.

With how you’ve gone about life so far, any words of advice to someone else?

Jesus is your answer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Like my favourite worship leader says, “The day you find Jesus is the day you start living.” Before Him, I was broken, lost, trying to be who I wasn’t. Knowing Him leads me into truth, discovery, and most importantly the revelation of a love so deep and powerful that has changed my life forever. Whatever you have to leave behind to follow Jesus, leave it, for in Him is all you need.

Do you have any advice for IgeLead and what you are trying to do?

Yes. Do not despise the days of little beginnings. Sow, learn from your mistakes, wear your failures as badges, and keep pushing through. Nothing of substance is built in an instant. Ignore the looking-downs of others and rejoice in even the little victories!

Thank you for growing with us!