RISING STARS; INTERVIEW WITH TAIWO

 It's another edition of rising stars this week.Stay tuned 

Here is our star profile

Esther Opone, aka The Value Adder, is a young lady passionate about adding value to lives and spaces around her through healthcare (as a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist), civic engagement (as a professional volunteer  under the Volunteers Hub Africa platform) and content creation (teaching personal development through and for civic engagement  via her Instagram page @thevalueadder). 

A believer in the power of positive contributions, no matter how little, she is the founder of The Value Network Africa, a youth-focused organization aimed at building and equipping a network of African youths to add value to self and society through deliberate personal development and civic engagement. 

A graduate of the University of Ibadan, Esther is a 2017 YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative) Fellow, alumna of the Carrington Leadership Lab, Commonwealth Women's Mentorship mentee and a GLS (Global Leadership Summit), University of Ibadan veteran. She also participated in the European Alpbach Forum 2020, courtesy of the African Masterclass Series by Ideation Hub Africa. 

Esther currently serves as the Professional Development and Opportunities lead for Volunteers Hub Africa and was also an activator of the SDGs among young students across schools in Oyo State for the World's Largest Lessons in 2019. 

Esther is an ardent lover of books, great music, volunteering, conversations, the internet and all forms of art and creativity. She also loves learning and trying new things. 

She can be reached via: 

estheropone.disha.page

Instagram: @thevalueadder 

Twitter: @thevalueadder_

Facebook: Esther Opone 

LinkedIn: Esther Opone

INTERVIEW

Taiwo Who are you? 

Esther: I'm Esther Opone, aka, The Value Adder, a lady invested in adding value to lives and spaces around her. I'm a biomedical lab scientist, copywriter and professional volunteer under Volunteers Hub Africa. I also create content around personal development and civic engagement, as well as lead an NGO The Value Network Africa. 

Where did you come from? Delta state. I like to use the term "Made in Heaven, assembled in Africa/Nigeria", lol. 

Taiwo: What's your take on Excellence?

 Esther: It means to surpass the norm/average. To stand out and deliver something of high standard or quality. I take it as our calling. Daniel in the Bible is a good model of that. 

Taiwo: What is your passion? 

Esther: I'm deeply invested in adding value to lives and seeing people do the same. It doesn't have to be so far fetched, just put in your best wherever you are and do something to make people and situations around you a little better than you met them. And ultimately, to glorify God. Currently, I do this a medical lab scientist, as a content creator and through getting actively involved in my community. 

Taiwo: What has kept you going in pursuing your passion? 

Esther: The fact that I know God's got me. And I owe it to Him, people who have invested in me and those who need me. 

Taiwo: What is your purpose in Life? 

Esther: As with all of God's creation, primarily to worship him and, especially as a Christian, to carry out the great commission of bringing others to the knowledge of the gospel. That is the core. 

Conventionally, my purpose is to add value to lives and spaces around me. Show, challenge and help people be the best version of them and in turn, make impact in the society.

Now the different ways in which I can fulfill this purpose vary, but that is the"why". And as I evolve and carry out my assignment, it gets clearer and sharper. Some things, you grow into as you take action and as you get to a certain point in life. 

Taiwo: What is the most important thing to you in life ?

 Esther: People. Loving, serving, growing with people. 

Taiwo: Your mentor?

 Esther: I have both direct and indirect mentors, like Pst Debola Deji Kurunmi (DDK), Pst Tinu Smith 

Taiwo: Your hobbies? 

Esther: Reading! I also enjoy surfing the Internet, which ties back to reading and learning new things. Music is bae, so I love jamming it, across different genres, as long as the lyrics aren't obscene. Volunteering, engaging in conversations when I'm up for it, writing and appreciating art in all its forms. 

Taiwo: Who is your role Model? 

Esther: Jesus Christ, Dr. Esther Longe, Pst. DDK, Adaora Mbelu

Taiwo:

Who is Christ to you? 

Esther: My Lord and saviour. The one who holds my hand and walks me through situations. Who looks down on me with pride, like "me sef, I dey create, see my daughter ó". Who's constantly shaping and moulding me into an express image of himself. Who placed people in my life to discipline, teach and build me for his good pleasure, towards ministry and service. The one who shows that he is there and is concerned about everything, even the littlest detail. 

Taiwo: Can I know your favourite food, cloths and colour?

 Esther: No favourite foods. I used to have no favourite colors, but recently, I find that I'm tending towards classic and neutral colours, especially grey, white, black, nudes and earth tones. Majorly because they serve as the perfect canvas to layer other colours I feel like. 

Taiwo: What will you like men to remember you for?

Esther: As someone who lived well and expressed God. Who helped people become better and fulfill purpose. Who provided access for others and modeled love, excellence and impact. 

Taiwo: A word for youths out there? 

Esther: My favourite quote comes in handy here " Consider becoming the type of energy that no matter where you go or where you are, you always add value to the lives and spaces of those around you". Live for Christ, invest in growth and take ownership of your community, make positive contributions, no matter how little.