SEPTEMBER 15, 2013
Amaechi Okobi
Former President of Toastmasters, Amaechi Okobi, talks about how he overcame the fear of public speaking to preside over a club for public communicators
Q: How was your first attempt at public speaking?
A: When my father started Toastmasters, I had just come back to Nigeria and I lived in his house. I knew I stuttered and I did not like public speaking but because I was living in his house, when he woke up in the morning to attend the meeting he will simply say we were going somewhere and I just had to follow him. I attended the meeting a couple of times. The first time I was asked to introduce myself, I got up from my seat, opened my mouth and nothing came out. I sat down and everybody started clapping and encouraging me to stand up, so I stood up again and I was able to introduce myself. But my heart was pumping and I was sweating.
Q: What is Toastmasters all about?
A: The mission of Toastmasters is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. I joined the club because I wanted to be a better speaker and leader. I knew this was a place where I could improve on my public speaking skills and build confidence. I also wanted to meet people I could learn from.
Q: Your dad is believed to have founded the club
A: He did not start Toastmaster; it was founded by an American named Ralf Medley. My father brought it to Nigeria about seven years ago; today we have about 14 clubs in Nigeria.
Q: What kind of influence did your dad have on you when you were growing up?
A: He is somebody who has given me a ‘can do’ spirit, He is a mentor and role model who is worth emulating.
Q: Tell me about your childhood
A: I grew up in Lagos, attended Corona School, Victoria Island, Federal Government College, Ilorin for two years, completed my secondary education in England before moving over to the United States for my university education.
Q: What did you study?
A: Marketing
Q: Is that what you have always wanted to do?
A: I did not want to do that because I was quite reserved as a young man and I would not go out of my way to make friends but as I grew older and went through college, I found myself being drawn to marketing communications.
Q: What wrong impression do people sometimes have about you?
A: I remember reading in the papers sometime ago that I change women like I change my ties. That is a very wrong impression because changing women like ties would take too much effort, time and money and I don’t like that kind of trouble. I have one woman.
Q: The woman must be lucky, is she also a Toastmistress?
A: She attends Toastmasters meetings while she can but I don’t want us to talk about her.
Q: Should we expect wedding bells anytime soon?
A: You will be the first to know if there are wedding bells.
Q: What do you have a passion for?
A: What I am passionate about now is Toastmasters, I believe Nigerians need to communicate more effectively and I am sure in the business we are in, our young people should communicate more effectively, the same goes for our politicians. I am passionate about improving mine and other people’s communication skills. I am also passionate about cycling because life is short, people are getting older and the older you get, the more you should be careful about what you eat and how you live. People are slumping everyday and one needs to watch his lifestyle.
Q: What about your low and high moments
A: I am usually not sad, I don’t believe I should be because no matter how bad things are, I believe that they will get better and that there is somebody that is worse off than me. That does not mean I don’t have my down days but I am happier being happy. The happiest moment in my life though, was when my son was born.
Q: How old is your son?
A: He is six.
Q: Was he given birth to by the woman you talked about earlier?
A: No. But let us not talk about how he was born.
Q: How do you decide what you will wear?
A: I dress with a mind that you never know who you will run into and what opportunities will present themselves. So it is important to put your best foot forward. Simply, polished shoes, a clean ironed shirt, etc. I also dress with a mind of being comfortable.
Q: What guides your dress code when you are speaking in public?
A: Dress code is professional and goes beyond the dress code for the workplace. It is about the image and the message you are trying to send as being professional, self confident and knowledgeable in whatever you are communicating. Dressing effectively encourages others to take you seriously. Putting effort into your appearance sends a message that you are a person who takes care of details. When giving a speech you want the audience focused on your presentation. If you are not dressed appropriately, the focus is on your attire.
Q: Your clothes always fit you well, what designers do you wear?
A: I actually don’t do designers, as I cannot walk in to a store and buy off the rack. Being 6’7 and slim built makes that very difficult. I get my clothes made. I wear size 13 shoes, so those are easy. My clothes have to be coordinated because of my height.
Q: Do you like jewellery?
A: I like watches but I have had the same piece of jewellery around my neck for more than 20 years, the same chain and the same crucifix. The crucifix was blessed by Pope John Paul the Second. My mom gave the crucifix to the pope to bless when she travelled to Rome. She gave the crucifix and the gold necklace to me when I was 18.
Q: Do you have a sentimental attachment to the necklace?
A: Yes I do. I am a devout catholic; this keeps me closer to God.
Q: What happens if you lose it?
A: There will be problems. The chain is on my neck, you have to cut my neck to steal it. But it is still a material thing, if armed robbers attack me and demand for the chain, I will give it to them.
Q: How often do you wear it?
A: I don’t take it off except when I am involved in sports. I shower with it.
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