Amb. (Dr.) Lois Otse Adams
Liana-Lois Odoh
The celestial bird stood on the hot edges of the Great Pyramid of Gaza, warbling unconsciously on the great feet of ancient wonder that stood as if it aimed to kiss the sun. Flapping its wings vigorously, it flew across Europe, narrowing into the arena of blood and sand, of clinging swords where loyalty lives and warriors demystified. Its voice warbled loud, daring the best gladiator in the Colosseum of Rome. Through the buried caves of Pharos of Alexandria in the Eastern Habour, it flew across the sea towards Greece.
It hovered around the Status of Zeus of Olympia as it conversed with the ancient god of the sky. Beside Helios of Rhodes stood the golden feathered bird thereafter, savouring partisanship with the Sun god amidst the clinking of glasses, and wines overflowing.
Its giant strides in collaboration with strong and powerful talons switch-sidled for refill across the aisle of Babylon’s Hanging Gardens of blossoming flowers, ripe fruits, and burbling waterfall to quench its thirst.
Several ancient mythologies from the Indian, Chinese, Greek and Egyptian civilizations may have different historical realities, but one thing they share in common is the symbol of strength, rebirth, beauty, hope and resilience spirit of the phoenix.
Her majestic walk to the podium accompanied with a face beaming with an amiable smile to receive her Doctorate Award tells the story of a living phoenix who rose through the ashes of her struggles and weakness, into the rebirth of success and enviable accomplishments.
The Isbaccomm University, Parakou Benin Republic on 16th of December 2022 conferred on Lois Otse Adams an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her immense contribution to the growth and development…as a patriotic citizen of Nigeria.
The University, which has students from all walks of life as well as global recognition, during the award night, extolled the intelligence of the awardee. Like the phoenix, she has travelled far and wide to accomplish great feats.
Dr. Lois Otse Adams is a multifaceted Phoenix from a humble background who started her literary career during her final year in School. As an advocate, she has written on various themes that have enchanted and helped nurture young adults globally.
She has a National and Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication and majored in Print Option. She went on to acquire Two Post- Graduate Diploma Degrees in Journalism and Theology, Two Master’s Degrees in Media Arts and Christian Education. Still flapping her feathers through the ashes, this Phoenix grabbed again Two Diploma Degrees in Creative Writing and Computer Operations and presently walking her way towards acquiring a Doctorate Degree of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Media Arts.
She started her literacy sojourn as a student where she held the position of Vice President in the Courier Press Club.
She is the Co-founder of ‘Authors-in-School Creative Club’ where students wine and dine with the imaginative, propelling them to explore their creativity in order to enable them to attain professional heights. Many of the students are able to make an honest living with creative writing.
She is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), where she currently serves as National Treasurer. She has earlier served as Abuja Chapter Publicity Secretary, Treasurer and Interim Chair that ushered in a substantive Executive on 8th May 2021.
She has authored many books including, Olaitan Oyerinde: His Struggles for a better Nigeria; Udukh: The Surrogate Daughter; Co-author of Flying Five Flags; Stigma and several literary works yet to be published.
She has been a publisher since 2008 using Stars and Style Magazine, now starsandstyless.ng to project deserving individuals and to showcase several notable works by her and others, where achievers are celebrated in various sectors.
Stars and Styles Communications and Publishing Company Limited has published her books and books written by other authors like ‘Are the Gods Truly Working?’ and ‘The Evil Plot’. The outfit has edited several award-winning works and journals on humanitarian grounds.
As a journalist and media practitioner, she has served and still serving in various administrative and non-administrative capacities in government establishments engaged in the media/ public sector, diplomatic service, executive and special duties, etc. Adams, with her determination and focus, has risen from being an Executive Cadre to Administrative Cadre in the Civil Service.
The Udukhotse Foundation is an NGO that is aimed at providing succour for elderly people, physically-challenged persons, Girl-child and women. As an administrator and founder of the foundation, she has facilitated many training programmes and welfare activities in various communities in Nigeria since its inception in 2015 and the recent event was a visit to Elderly people that attracted 10 volunteers and sponsors, held on 17th of December, 2022, a day after she was conferred an award in Lagos, having present at the event in Abuja further confirmed her passion for what she does and how deserving the recognition.
Through the years, she has fought for victims of societal subjugation, the Girl-Child, physically challenged individuals, widows and the vulnerable from various diversified affiliations. A voice for the voiceless and a re-igniting glimpse of hope for the downtrodden, she has also supported these activities with finance from sales of her books, other earnings and goodwill support.
In short, she is a golden-hearted and gifted individual with an extremely passionate personality and truly an awe-inspiring endearing character. Placed to be a healer of destinies who lifts others from darkness to light.
The mother of four children was a culture guide to Edo State Government officials in MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2013 and 2014, where she also established healthy contact with Nigerian Students and Founders various of Institutions. She also officiated as a visiting consultant of Tourism Affairs at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Honorable Consulate from 25th March 2014 to 24th February 2015 and engaged in several other culture-based appointments like the reload EDOFEST.
As an expert in Public Relations-related activities that has spanned over a decade, she officially got inducted as a member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on the 9th of December, 2021.
No matter how many times the setbacks, this Phoenix who stands tall among her peers reminds us once again that she symbolizes an eternal flame of faith, will and passion. And these have earned her several recognitions and awards among which are ‘2014 Outstanding Performance in Creative Writing and In-depth Research’ , ‘2015 Teens Favorite Positive Empowerment Personality’, ‘2016 Female Writers award of Excellence’ , ‘2017 CNN HERO Projection stage’, ‘2018 International Association of World Peace Advocates Ambassador of Peace and Human Rights Defender’.
She also bagged the award of ‘Unsung Philanthropists 2019, ‘2020 Membership of Best Sellers Author’, ‘Noble Achievers Award of Excellence in Media and Youth Development of the Year 2020’, for her strength of character and immense contribution to the community and human development and this has proven that the essence of life is to serve humanity.
She received in 2021, ‘Kingdom Service Award’ in recognition of her integrity and Commitment to the Body of Christ from the International Bible Academy (IBM) and International Ministerial Council (IMC) USA.
Also, in a recognition ceremony by the Abuja Luxury Real Estate Industry Night and Award, she was awarded the title of ‘Service to Man and Country’ and to crown it, Wake Up Africa awarded her with ‘The award of ‘Most Influential Founder 2022.’
Despite all her achievements, Dr. Lois Otse Adams remains a humble woman. She is a role model to many women and girls. In the words of Michelle K, a renowned author, “Some women are lost in the fire, Some women are built from it.”
Amb. (Dr.) Lois Otse Adams sprung from the ruins of her challenges to become an exceptional and outstanding woman.
