Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, better known as Kiekie, a popular content creator and actress, recently opened up about how her mother has been a significant source of inspiration throughout her career.
During an appearance on the ‘What I Said’ podcast, Kiekie spoke passionately about the values and lessons she has absorbed from her mother, a successful businesswoman who made her mark in the male-dominated oil industry.
Reflecting on the strength and determination her mother exhibited, Kiekie shared how these qualities have been a driving force in her own pursuit of success, making her more determined to carve out her own path. She humbly acknowledged that, despite her own achievements, she feels she is still far from reaching the heights her mother has attained.
Kiekie’s mother, a formidable figure in the oil industry, has not only excelled in her field but also earned a place in an industry where women are often underrepresented. Kiekie reflected on her mother’s remarkable career, highlighting how her mother’s accomplishments inspired her to dream big and relentlessly pursue her goals.
“I am privileged to come from a supportive family. My mum is a very big businesswoman in the oil space, which, like many other industries, is male-dominated,” Kiekie explained, emphasizing the immense influence her mother had on her upbringing.
Kiekie revealed that her mother’s rise to prominence in such a challenging industry fueled her own ambition, helping her understand that women could thrive even in spaces traditionally dominated by men.
In a poignant moment, Kiekie recalled how her mother’s role as the secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) was met with skepticism from those who questioned why a woman should occupy such a high position. Kiekie used this as an example of the kind of barriers her mother broke down.
“At some point, she was the secretary of the entire association, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. People said things like, ‘Why would you put a woman in that position?’”
Kiekie recounted. This experience helped shape Kiekie’s worldview and taught her the value of being unapologetically ambitious, reinforcing that it was okay to challenge the status quo.
“I look at her and say, if this being is bursting doors like this, I am not even loud enough. I have not even achieved half of what she has achieved industry-wise,” she remarked, drawing a powerful comparison between her mother’s success and her own ongoing journey.
Kiekie also shed light on her own evolving voice and persona, which she attributes to her mother’s influence. Over the years, people have often commented on her “loud” presence, with some even questioning her boisterous nature and social media behavior.
In a candid discussion, Kiekie shared her thoughts on these remarks, explaining that she doesn’t believe she is loud enough. “One presenter met me on a red carpet and said, ‘Some people are of the opinion that you are too loud; you shout a lot.’ I told her she needed to be loud enough so I could learn her name,” Kiekie said with a laugh.
Through her experiences, Kiekie has learned that being loud and visible is an essential part of building her brand and achieving her goals. She emphasized that she isn’t just being loud for the sake of it, but because she has a vision and purpose that she wants to share with the world.
For Kiekie, her voice and visibility are vital in a world where standing out is key to success. She boldly stated, “You have to be as loud as you can be. I am the one with the voice, I am the one with the dream, I am the one with the vision. I know what I want to achieve.”
This unapologetic approach to her career has helped her gain a significant following across social media platforms, with over 10 million followers across various channels.
“Across (social media) platforms now, I have over 10 million followers, and you can compare that to the population of Nigeria (over 200 million people)? Do you see that my voice is not loud enough?” she asked, highlighting the sheer scale of her reach and reinforcing her point that, in her opinion, she hasn’t even begun to be loud enough.
Kiekie’s candid reflections during the podcast offer a glimpse into the mindset of a driven and ambitious woman who is continually striving to reach new heights. Her journey is not just about personal success, but also about carrying forward the legacy of resilience and determination that her mother set for her.
By acknowledging the powerful influence her mother has had on her career and unapologetically embracing her loud presence, Kiekie has set herself apart as a role model for others looking to make their voices heard in an ever-evolving industry.
Her story is a testament to the power of inspiration, the importance of breaking barriers, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, no matter the obstacles.
