Catching up with Tina Tinuke Akinola brings to mind how judicious Nigerians can be in recent times. Juggling her time to be present for this interview while also sharing herself into another sphere of productivity, Tina embodies the saying ‘a woman is the mother of the world. She’s empathic, calm and intense about her demeanour. With over 20 years of professionalism, Tina is not slowing on her oars in delivering services that unite Africans globally.
From producing her first beauty pageant, running the home and obtaining multiple certification in Ireland, She describes herself as an igniting force for the young ones to achieve their dreams, not minding the societal constructs that may serve as obstacles to achieving their goals in life. Life has taught her you always create time for your passion and she passes on this advice whenever she can. Enjoy the interview.
You’ve been a powerful force in promoting African heritage in Ireland. What inspired you to start the Miss Africa Ireland beauty/fashion show, and how has it evolved over the decades?
A: I was inspired by the need to promote African heritage and encourage multiculturalism amongst the Irish and immigrants in a way that will be both educative and interesting and rewarding to participants and audience. The idea of a beauty/Fashion show with a difference came to mind, by grooming a beauty ambassador who represents Diaspora Africans with her talents, appearance and brain while campaigning for integration.
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Miss Africa has bridged cultural gaps between Diaspora Africans and the Irish community. Can you share some memorable moments or success stories from the pageant’s history?
A: The event has been one of the pioneering African events in the Republic of Ireland, the first event was in the year 2000. The desire to unite immigrants, promote African cultural heritage and inter-weave various cultures by putting together the Miss Africa Ireland Beauty/Fashion shows for over two decades, has definitely bridged the cultural gap in many ways. The show was one of the African events to be featured on any Irish Media – Motion and still. The show receives incredibly good media coverage by most of the media houses in Ireland. Clips of the show were shown LIVE on RTE Television and TV3 Ireland for the first time in 2001 which was a big deal as this was the beginning of the influx of Africans to Ireland. It was a great opportunity to show case the beauty of our culture, language, fashion, history, talents and so much more
The event has also been featured on The Tritees Show, on SKY DIGITAL BENTV Channel 182 a number of times. The show helps the youths, both male and female by promoting and empowering them to excel in their chosen career path. It serves as a platform for upcoming artists to display their talents
Your work has empowered many young girls by promoting them through a multicultural platform. What advice would you give to young women striving to achieve their potential in a multicultural society?
A: The show has seen the participation of hundreds of young girls over the years and this has led to further opportunities in their chosen career paths. Participation in the show has empowered them to be confident in their skin, race, culture and language. The advice has always been that, no one should allow colour, race, ethnicity, physical appearance, or anything at all stand in the way of one’s dreams and aspirations
As an award-winning MC, TV presenter, and talk show host, how do you balance your various roles while also managing Tritees Promotions and organizing major events like Miss Africa Ireland and Ankara Carnival Ireland?
A: All the above I do at my spare time as a passion and volunteer. When you have a passion for something, you make out time for it, and you are never tired of doing it.
In 2018, you were honoured with the prestigious humanitarian Award for Exemplary Leadership & Best Irish Event Host of the Year. How did this recognition impact you personally and professionally?
A: It was well received and was honoured, as often, our contributions and efforts go unnoticed. It helped us to progress in the work that we have been doing
The Miss Africa Ireland pageant promotes multiculturalism with little or no funding. What challenges have you faced in sustaining this initiative, and how have you overcome them?
A: This has been our greatest challenge. We use our personal funds and little support from individuals/businesses and ticket sales, which is not enough to take the show to the level that we want it to be. So we are calling on sponsors out there who would like to partner with us to please get in touch
What new projects or initiatives are you currently working on through Tritees Promotions, and how do they align with your goal of supporting youths and promoting multiculturalism?
A: We are working on a documentary for the 25th Anniversary, which will show case the journey so far, the achievements, and the way forward. We hope this will open more opportunities to further our goals of supporting youths and promoting multiculturalism
Lastly, as an investment banker and economic analyst, how do you integrate your professional expertise into your philanthropic and cultural endeavors?
A: It inspires the youths that they can achieve whatever they set out to achieve by wearing different hats. I recently completed a double Masters degree, Masters of Business Internationalisation (MBSI) and Masters of Science in International Business (MSc).
Who is Tina Tinuke Akinola?
A: Tina is a Nigerian residing in Ireland for over 26 years,who has continued in her struggle to unite Africans living in Ireland using all avenues available to her.
Tina is the founder and chairperson of “Miss Africa Ireland beauty/Fashion Show ” organised annually since the year 2000 on the platform of Tritees, a voluntary and non-profitable organisation burning with a desire to unite immigrants, promote African cultural heritage and inter-weave various cultures by putting together beauty and fashion shows in the form of entertainment. The event has helped many young talents achieve their potentials. Tina also organises Ankara Carnival Ireland, every October since 2007 to promote the beauty of the African prints called “Ankara”
Tina has written for various magazines both in Ireland and abroad, the magazines she wrote for in Ireland were Xclusive Magazine and Heritage magazine where she gave her expertise advice on beauty tips, having obtained a diploma in Journalism and certificate in hairdressing, beauty and cosmetology. Tina has several academic achievements and recently obtained a double Masters degree in International Business and Business Internationalisation (MBSI and MSc).
She has worked in the International Financial Services centre with several leading investment banks in Ireland from 2004 to date. Tina is a founding executive member of AkiDwa (Migrant Women’s Network in Ireland). She is the producer/presenter of The Tritees Show, a television magazine programme that features various societal events.
Tina was the Secretary of National Council of Nigerians in Ireland (NCNI), the Vice President of Nigerian Community Ireland (NCI) Dublin, and currently the Secretary of Osun Descendants Union Ireland. Tina is the OPU Ireland General Secretary and Director of IT for OPU Worldwide.
In 2014, Tina was conferred with the title of Yeye Oge of Araland, Ife Kingdom, Osun State, Nigeria. In 2018, she was conferred with the title od Odibeze Ndigbo Ireland by Ohanese Ireland. She has received several recognition and excellence awards.
- Tags: Fashion, Lifestyle, Mentor, Tina Tinuke Akinola, Tritees
