Yemisi Dooshima Suswam LIFE AFTER OFFICE
when you do your masters degree that you now major in a particular area. In designing any structure, you have to be conscious of the aesthetics. Every architect must be artistic, if you are not, you cannot be in the profession. Your design depends on what the client wants, so you think about your client before designing. Some clients want it plain while others want some broad artistic impressions. And so an Architect is not particularly conservative or stuck on simplicity. It all depends majorly on your client.
Putting more developed countries in prospect, for example Dubai where Architecture, has played a massive role in national development, how do you think the role of the Nigerian Architect will positively affect our nation over the next twenty-five years?
We are not doing badly right now. When you drive around cities like Lagos, Abuja, you see consistent growth. Even in the northern region, you can see some very contemporary structures coming up. Though we are not as fast as some cities like Dubai, there definitely is good progress. I see us moving faster than we did in the last twenty years, and that is very promising because we have a lot of young ones in the profession who are very well exposed, and are auto-cad compliant. I have quite a lot of these young architects that I groom and I see that they are very enthusiastic, so that tells me that we are going to move in double speed as compared to the last 10 years and I am very happy about this development. I really wish I will witness the evolution of architecture in the next 25 years by the grace of God.
You are practically at your peak as you have made a success of your career as an Architect. What’s next for you?
In general, my ultimate goal is to please God in whatever I do. Not only in the aspect of my
career but my family and in every other thing I do. I always pray not to offend Him so that when the chips are down and the role call is made, I will not
be found wanting.
I do not want to agree that I am at the peak of my career, I am moving from glory to glory by the Grace of God, and I pray that God will take me to a higher level where I will design bigger projects like airports and maybe even a whole city.
What is your ultimate goal when it comes to your work and what would you like to be remembered for?
In general, my ultimate goal is to please God in whatever I do. Not only in the aspect of my career but my family and in every other thing I do. I always pray not to offend Him so that when the chips are down and the role call is made, I will not be found wanting.
How do you joggle being a wife, mother and a career woman?
It takes the grace of God. God himself is the master planner, He planned the creation in just one week and he was done, enormous work isn’t it? No matter how big the responsibility God has given to you, he has seen your capacity, so he will not give you what you cannot carry. He will not send you on an errand without equipping you. So God has fully equipped me for the life that I am living and I am grateful for that. Its a tough one, I won’t lie about that. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I don’t get fat because I am always up and down.
I will also say that honestly, hard work, commitment and planning are the main ingredients that drive you to achieve fulfilment in all areas of your life.
If you had the opportunity to relive your life, what would you do differently?
Nothing! Honestly I am grateful to God, I have no regrets, and I hardly do anything with regrets. I am not perfect and not without ups and downs, but I am content with everything I have achieved. I know God did not make a mistake by making me who I am today so I am totally content with it irrespective of imperfections. If I reincarnate though, I will make sure to accept Christ earlier than I did. I accepted Jesus Christ in my life in December 1998. If given another chance, I would do so right from the time I am able to say my name.
How would you advice young women veering into Architecture?
Young women should not be discouraged, if you have creativity as a thing that you cherish and you want to express it through Architecture, then go for it. I have a lot of young ladies, which I personally groom. There are three of them who are already in practise. They actually went into Architecture because of my counselling. What is most important is focus, hard work and mentoring. Even though the road is narrow, it will eventually get wider.