Our LagosMums mum of the month is Sukurat Laguda. She is a mum to four wonderful children. She is a successful entrepreneur, founder of an NGO foundation, with other hats/roles, all the while, caring for her wonderful family. We really enjoyed talking to her. Read more about this amazing mum as she shares her passions and her motherhood experience.
Read here about our all our LagosMums Mums of the Months for 2020!!
Please tell us about yourself?
My names are Sukurat Adenike Laguda, I am a mother of 4 in my late 30s; I am a Social Entrepreneur passionate about development and giving back no matter how small. The Director of @niksena Foods Nigeria, a food hub into sales and exportation of Nigeria foodstuffs and snacks.
Share one unexpected thing about you?
The start of my business 3 years ago was something I never expected or planned at all; I never saw myself as a business person until December 2017, when I had some challenges and boredom sets in. Today the rest is history because the brand has opened so many doors I never thought would open and am glad I took the push when it came.
Can you share all the hats/roles that you wear?
The hat is big, very big for that matter, it’s the grace of the Almighty that had made the hat fit and not fall off. I run an NGO called Hope for Girls and Women Foundation; an NGO I birthed out of the personal experience and will to give to the community. I also run Niksena Foods, I’m the Marketing and Communications chairperson of Ilorin Royal Lions Club; and I also do media consultancy alongside.
Tell us about your beautiful family.
I have a wonderful family of four beautiful children; my first born is a girl, 16 years old, while my second are a set of twin girls, both 9 years old; and my baby of the house is the only boy, he’s 4 years old, and of course, my Ejika (lols) as Denike my namesake sang. They have been my strength and cheerleaders.
What did you learn through the course of the year?
Honestly, 2020 is a year I will never forget in a hurry. I took some decisions that I am glad I did eventually. I made some wins and also got to set my business in the forefront where I think it should and still I believe it can and will get better.
Most importantly I have learned never to give up and not to displease myself to be accepted or pleasing others; because the standard or rules you set for yourself to attain your goals are most important in as much as you do it right. 2020 was my best and I know this year will be a continuation.
What are your goals for 2021?
My goals for 2021 are being implemented already, I want to leverage relationships, social media, and people to improve myself, grow my brand and NGO and I see myself doing that already. Just look at the opportunity of sharing my story and been getting showcased on a platform this wonderful; every Lagos mum making impacts would love to be celebrated and showcased so for this I’m sincerely thankful.
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
Hmmm, motherhood is a journey I am proud of and I will say I’m still learning too. I started the journey quite early, and at a very challenging one at that. I have learned not to give up, to believe in myself, to face my fears, and always celebrate my wins no matter how small. Motherhood is indeed a blessing and one thing I want to say here is you don’t have to be a biological mother to enjoy motherhood.
​What’s one thing you think your parents got absolutely right raising you that you would like to pass on as you bring up your child?
Woah, if there is anything I learned that I want to pass on to my children is contentment. I was given birth to with a silver spoon, but had to live my life as a child without that same silver spoon and today I am still moving and doing despite all odds but it was a tough journey. So I want my kids to learn that contentment is key in the journey of life.
How do you balance work and parenting?
It is a tough one, especially for a social entrepreneur like myself; but all my kids are important because my hustle is to support the family. So I give them time and attention and dedicate a workday to be around them though my business makes me be on the move most times, a mother will always be a mother.Â
How important is a support system for a mum? Who is in your Tribe? What kind of support do you have now?
A support system is essential to a mum, it doesn’t have to be in form of cash most times it about someone been there to support, guide you, encourage and caution you when the need be, someone with you can always share your ideas and aspirations with freely without fear. So you see it’s important because being a support system means a backbone and that person can be your husband, a friend, or a family member whoever fills the gap doesn’t matter to me, it’s how and why they do that makes me happy.
For someone to support you means he or she believes in your dream so it’s important to me; my family, my team members, and few friends who believe in me and all I stand for. I have moral support, mentorship, and of course family which to me is greater.
Use one word to describe one thing that should not be missing from every home?
Happiness should not be missing
Share one self-care tip. How do you relax and spend time on yourself?
I do that a lot, I am an adventurous person, so I go on sightseeing, and I love nature; so when I want to be alone or relax taking a break from everything I go to where I can feel nature or adventures. In most cases, I hang out with friends and kinda pamper myself in my own little way, and eat good food. I love food.Â
Can you tell us how you stay stylish and your beauty routine?
Hehehe, this is something I want to improve on; I am a very simple person, yet stylish but that beauty routine is where am lacking. I am lazy doing all those routine, who knows a beautician or skincare expert reading this may be thrilled to help me improve, I’m willing.
What do you love about LagosMums?
LagosMums were part of my success story last year; and presently am still proud I took the step to apply for the power women program we just did. Yetty and co, I say thank you for making us tribe members band. The parenting style adopted here helped and is still helping me, so what more can I say than thank you!
#MumGoals Trivia
N1million or more sleep?
- It is 1 million naira when it comes, sleep will come itself.
Go on a shopping spree or an all-expense-paid trip to your top destination?
- It is an all-expense-paid trip to my top destination abeg, me that I love adventure.
Home-schooling or traditional school?
- I’m cool with anyone I’m given the privilege to attend.
A spa day or Eat out?
- A spa day for me! I want to experience that feeling and be relaxed.
Read Motherhood experiences and journeys of other mums in the Mum of The Month Category
