Ever since her undergraduate days at the University of Benin, Edo State, one trait Dr. Juliet Opaleye has continuously exhibited is her love for the less-privileged through her uncommon act of giving and sharing. Her passion and love for the less fortunate in the society has remained firm and steady.
Her choice of Optometry as a course at the University of Benin has also brought great relief to many Nigerians with eye problem, especially those who do not have money to pay for their medical bills.
Sharing her life experience with The Point, the Edo State-born Consultant Optometrist and Chief Executive Officer, Scorpio Vision Limited, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said she remained grateful to God for giving her the opportunity to positively impact on humanity through her profession.
Expressing joy over the impact of her career on people’s lives, she said, “I thank God I chose Optometry. I feel very comfortable with my career because it had afforded me the needed time and opportunity to carry out my passion of caring for the less fortunate in the society. My organisation regularly carries out free vision screening and eye examination as part of our corporate social responsibility. So far, over 8,000 people have benefitted from it. This has given me so much job satisfaction.”
I come from a very humble background where we were taught the core values of respect for others and the love for everyone, no matter their background, especially as it relates to the less fortunate in our environment
This Woman of Substance also has an ongoing pet project, tagged, ‘Jigi GNI’ across Ogun State, through which she provides free medical treatment at the community level as well as free spectacles and eye protector to okada riders and welders.
Always going the extra mile to assist the needy in the society, Opaleye said, “Many lives have been touched with my Outreach programmes – helping those who hitherto have lost hope of regaining their sight to restore their vision through the provision of eye glasses, treatment and counseling. And where possible, we do referrals to experts and find solutions to their challenges. I give God all the glory for the effort, I am only a vessel.”
She believes that every individual must have what he or she wants to achieve in life.
Opaleye, who attributed the secret of her success to God’s mercy, worked with the General Hospital, Abeokuta before going into private practice.
She said, “It has been the grace of God all the way for my career. I also have a wonderful team in my staff, who are assisting in running the business. I also have an understanding husband who helps me to succeed in the home front.
“And none of these affects my church activities because God is first in my family. I also have a significant role to play in the church as a Matron of many departments in different churches. God has been faithful.”
Besides having a professional fulfillment, Opaleye also had a very peaceful and eventful childhood days. Her passion to leave a legacy began at the University of Benin, where her charming personality earned her the post of Vice President of the Students Union of the university. Her humble family background was well represented during her tenure, as she never allowed the position to distract her from the reason why she was there – to study.
Sharing her childhood experience with The Point, she said, “I come from a very humble background where we were taught the core values of respect for others and the love for everyone, no matter their background, especially as it relates to the less fortunate in our environment.
“Then, we had many people who were not members of our family, either nuclear or extended, living with us and enjoying the same privileges as true members of the family. Till date, most people staying with me are not my blood relations and I enjoy their company because of how I was brought up.”
Matrimonially, Opeleye is blessed. She is married to Gen. Ekundayo Opaleye, a former Governor of Ondo State and the Balogun Erumun of Owu Kingdom, in Ogun State.
According to her, they were introduced to each other by a mutual friend and since then, the marriage has remained heaven on earth.
Recounting her best days, she said, “My happiest day was the day I had my son. It was a wonderful experience. It’s actually a feeling that is inexpressible… indeed joy unspeakable.”
Culturally, Iyalode Opaleye, as she is fondly called, is recognised and honoured for being a pace setter in the society. She is a household name in Abeokuta as she is the Faderera of Owu Kingdom and Executive Coordinator of Obinirin Owu – the women wing of the Royal Union of Owu people.
Socially, she is rich, despite her busy schedule as she still finds time to have fun and make herself happy.
“I am a member of Lions Club International – a service organisation. Though it is a service organisation, we do have fun, attend local and international conventions. I also attend parties and I’m very much involved in family and palace functions. I am a chief of the Owu kingdom. My husband and I also go to places of choice to unwind. I also find time to watch TV, especially programmes that are politically inclined and relaxing,” she said.
On the political landscape, Opaleye is wearing a big cap as she is occupying a big and strategic position in the African Democratic Congress.
Stimulated by her love for humanity and the burning desire for the less privileged, Opaleye recently joined politics in order to reach out to more people in need. As more doors of successes are opened for her, the doors of gesture and remembrance are also opened for the less privileged around her. For the eye specialist, touching lives and putting smiles on people’s faces is a hobby.
She explained to The Point her reasons for going into politics, saying she had just been installed as the “Iyalode Obinrinrere” of ADC.
She said, “Recently, I have gone into active politics in order to be able to contribute my own quota for a better society. Let me say here that my first shot at politics was as a student union leader at the University of Benin. I served as the Vice President of the Students Union of the university.
“My thought is that we have become a nation in a hurry/haste. Everything now is about money and what can it buy? No matter how money is made, money is desirable but overrated. Research has shown that money can only translate into happiness, if we spend it on the less fortunate members of the society. For me, my focus is on women and youths. I believe that an engaged youth is an asset to the
society.
“I am the “Iyalode Obinrin rere” of ADC, a political party that has the interest of women and the youth in their manifesto. I intend to use my position to inculcate the core values of Omoluwabi in the area of my influence – This is my dream.”
