Measuring just 81.3cm, Miss Toyisi Akinrele a graduate of international Law and Diplomacy, may very well be the shortest youth corper in the country! However, her height does not deter her as she has gone ahead to achieve alot of things even tall people her age dream of. Here is an excerpt of the interview she had with Punch Nigeria, where she revealed her challenges so far;
Have you ever been embarrassed on the street?
Except on few occasions, the only embarrassment I can think of is when I walk on the street and someone suddenly sees me, exclaims and backs off. For me, when I walk on the road and people look at me, I do not feel it, except when I was growing up, but as time went on, it stopped bothering me. Sometimes when I go out, people compliment me, some admire me, some will walk up to me and say “you look beautiful” and I will say “thank you.” I have received more compliments than embarrassments.
Do you feel bad about your height?
No. I do not feel bad in anyway. I do not see being small as bad. Actually it has been a blessing in disguise. If I can come back to this world again, I wouldn’t mind being small. I think I have enjoyed some privileges most tall people don’t enjoy.
I had an experience during the 2011 general elections. Youth corps members were being recruited for the elections as ad hoc staff. I really wanted to do it but I was scared that I would not be taken. I went with a friend to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission to register. When I told my friend that I had a feeling that my name was cancelled, she doubted it and said we should go there. We discovered that my name was actually cancelled and I was angry. My friend was angry too. The INEC officer who intervened promised that my name would be re-included. But it was not. That was one of the instances when I felt my self esteem was threatened. And I felt really bad. Another instance was when I went for a job interview. I knew I did well in the interview but I was not offered the job.
What has been your motivation?
One thing that motivates me is my confidence. I can respond to anything and I am able to express myself. I cannot be intimidated. I am educated too. I believe in God. I believe in Psalm 139 verse 14 and Jeremiah 29 verse 11 that say “I am fearfully and wonderfully made ’, ‘Marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well.’ There were moments I used to ask ‘God why me?’, but at a point, I started asking, ‘Why not me?’ If it was not me, would I have loved it to be my mum or my siblings?
What experiences did you have during your university days and service year?
I was not discriminated against in school. My height stood me out in school and made me popular. The only thing was the kind of look I got from new students in school. But they later got used to seeing me. They would pretend not to be looking at me, but when I turn to look at them, our eyes would meet. I was friends with the vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor, registrar and lecturers. I had fun and I enjoyed my stay in orientation camp. The camp commandant gave me more attention. I participated in the drills, I made a lot of friends and more especially, I re-united with some of my old friends. My camping was in Iseyin, Ibadan, but I redeployed to Abeokuta. My place of primary assignment was the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. I attended seminars, conferences, carried out some social works, and visited motherless babies’ homes.